Spiritual growth

Relationship—we all want it, we all need it, and it kicks our butt. At least, close relationship does. Relationship is so challenging that many people simply give up on relationship, or they avoid the challenge of closeness by keeping their connections casual and superficial. But whenever we sincerely embrace any relationship, even a one-night stand, it challenges us by pulling us out of ourselves, out of our comfort zone, and beyond our personal preferences and …

David Truman on YouTube: “The Amazing Truth and Purpose of Relationship” Read More »

Love is a necessity of life; it’s our real soul food. Science will never be able to measure how much love, and what kind of love, a human being requires in order to thrive and grow. But scientific methods aren’t needed. Each of us innately feels it when we don’t have the amount and kind of love in our lives we need to feel fulfilled. Even people with intimate partners, loving family members, and a …

How to Love with All Your Heart: Both Universally AND Personally Read More »

Poets and mystics have said, “Love is the answer.” That rings true, in a lofty, abstract sort of way. But when the world is going up in flames, metaphorically and literally, an abstract answer isn’t what we need. And still, love actually is the answer, a very real, down-to-earth answer. The trouble is, we can’t see it that way until we’re willing to recognize the real problem, and until we’re willing to solve it. Hang …

Love Actually IS the Answer Read More »

It’s obvious to everyone that difficulty puts love to the test. But who suspects that pleasure also tests our love? Almost no one. And that’s why we’re blindsided when we’re tested by pleasure, and we so often flunk the felicity test.  We’re not used to thinking of pleasure as a test of love. Isn’t love a wonderful source of pleasure, and a great pleasure in itself? Absolutely! There’s nothing wrong with pleasure, and it’s completely …

Pleasure: A Hidden Test of Love Read More »

I still feel a twinge when I think of my high school best friend, Sharon (not her real name). After graduation life pulled us in different directions, and we lost track of each other. But we managed to find each other several years later, and we had a visit I’ll never forget. Sharon told me about her successful professional life and her marriage, which she claimed was a happy one. But later in the conversation …

Possessiveness: Selfishness Disguised as Commitment Read More »

We human beings are kind, generous, and serviceful by nature. It’s in our DNA to give freely to those we love, to those in need, and ultimately, to everyone in our lives. When done in the right spirit, it’s our pleasure to give. And the pleasure is mutual. But some people are literally “generous to a fault.” They carry giving too far. They exhaust themselves; they go overboard on service, giving beyond what they can …

Martyrdom: Selfishness Disguised as Service Read More »