The chance to experience a soulful relationship is something to truly treasure, whether we are searching for it or currently working at maintaining it. These relationships — those that represent a true connection between people — are often depicted in movies or fairy tales as a moment of clarity, a feeling of “you complete me”.

This, however, is not entirely accurate because the beauty of a soulful relationship is “you see me”, whereby each person seeks to understand and honour the other just as he or she is. Creating a relationship that is soulful, where each partner sees and understands the other, can be achieved through learning to link your values with theirs.

The key to understanding this lies in the idea that we encompass all things and so does everyone else. You can be both kind and cruel, generous and greedy, boring and exciting and many other dichotomies as well. When you embrace the idea that you carry every character trait, both positive and negative, then you are ready to experience unity with someone else.

This often happens when you are being true to yourself and to what you love. You increase the probability of attracting those who are also committed to living in the same manner, allowing you to know the real person and, in turn, be cherished for who you really are. Being with someone who contributes to balancing you by both supporting and challenging you creates a connection that is real and long-lasting.

Ultimately, the purpose of a relationship is to help awaken you to the inherent balance existing within and around you, and to assist you in acknowledging your wholeness. You cherish yourself and your partner when you can see yourself wholly and completely. As Zen masters assure us, there is no search to be done. You simply wake up and see what you already have and who you really are.