The Impacts of Our Buddhist Practice on Our Intimate Partnerships

As long as we're doing our best, there is no need for apology or insecurity about who we are. It would be nice to have familial understanding and support, but we don't need it. When we're no longer burdening others with our expectations, they're sometimes able to extend more curiosity and acceptance. So the impacts of our Buddhist practice on our intimate partnerships with non-Buddhists are dependent on the same three things that influence other familial relationships. That is the person's own spiritual life, how involved we are with Buddhism, and how we negotiate the impact of our practice on relationship.