When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide

When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide

Ram Dass
22/09/2025
22/09/2025

When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide range of reasons for people to be together and ways in which they are together. I see ways in which a relationship - which means something that exists between two or more people - for the most part reinforces people's separateness as individual entities.

(4 evaluate)
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide range of reasons for people to be together and ways in which they are together. I see ways in which a relationship - which means something that exists between two or more people - for the most part reinforces people's separateness as individual entities.
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide range of reasons for people to be together and ways in which they are together. I see ways in which a relationship - which means something that exists between two or more people - for the most part reinforces people's separateness as individual entities.
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide range of reasons for people to be together and ways in which they are together. I see ways in which a relationship - which means something that exists between two or more people - for the most part reinforces people's separateness as individual entities.
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide range of reasons for people to be together and ways in which they are together. I see ways in which a relationship - which means something that exists between two or more people - for the most part reinforces people's separateness as individual entities.
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide range of reasons for people to be together and ways in which they are together. I see ways in which a relationship - which means something that exists between two or more people - for the most part reinforces people's separateness as individual entities.
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide range of reasons for people to be together and ways in which they are together. I see ways in which a relationship - which means something that exists between two or more people - for the most part reinforces people's separateness as individual entities.
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide range of reasons for people to be together and ways in which they are together. I see ways in which a relationship - which means something that exists between two or more people - for the most part reinforces people's separateness as individual entities.
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide range of reasons for people to be together and ways in which they are together. I see ways in which a relationship - which means something that exists between two or more people - for the most part reinforces people's separateness as individual entities.
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide range of reasons for people to be together and ways in which they are together. I see ways in which a relationship - which means something that exists between two or more people - for the most part reinforces people's separateness as individual entities.
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide
When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide

Hearken, O children of the ages, to the words of Ram Dass, who speaks with the voice of insight and contemplation: “When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide range of reasons for people to be together and ways in which they are together. I see ways in which a relationship—which means something that exists between two or more people—for the most part reinforces people's separateness as individual entities.” Here lies the timeless teaching that bonds, though sacred and cherished, often illuminate not only connection, but the distinctness of the souls involved.

In the chronicles of old, the elders taught that every relationship is a mirror, reflecting the light and shadow of the self. Though hearts may entwine and spirits may seek union, the path of togetherness reveals the contours of individuality. Ram Dass observes that even in closeness, the separateness of each soul persists, and it is through this recognition that one may honor both connection and autonomy, understanding that true union does not erase the self, but enhances it.

The origin of this wisdom is ancient, spoken through the mouths of sages, mystics, and poets who pondered the nature of human bonds. Across mountains, rivers, and temples, it was taught that the dance of togetherness and solitude is the essence of living. Each relationship holds lessons in reflection and awareness, for it is in the encounter with another that one sees the full measure of one’s own individual entity. Ram Dass, in his modern voice, carries forward this eternal truth: that connection often illuminates distinction as much as unity.

O seekers, understand that the wisdom of relationships lies not solely in harmony, but in the recognition of difference and independence. To dwell together is to honor the shared journey, yet also to respect the boundaries of separateness that define each soul. Through this balance, one learns that love and companionship do not demand fusion, but invite understanding, patience, and the deep reverence for the self within the collective.

Let this teaching endure, children of the future: the path of a relationship is a sacred space where individual entities meet, reflect, and grow. To see and honor separateness within connection is to grasp the fullness of human bonds, to celebrate both unity and individuality, and to navigate the sacred interplay of hearts with wisdom, compassion, and presence.

If you wish, I can also craft a more poetic, ceremonial version, where relationships are depicted as a sacred dance between unity and separateness. Would you like me to do that?

Ram Dass
Ram Dass

American - Psychologist Born: April 6, 1931

With the author

I have always said that often the religion you were born with becomes more important to you as you see the universality of truth.

Ram Dass

Unconditional love really exists in each of us. It is part of our deep inner being. It is not so much an active emotion as a state of being. It's not 'I love you' for this or that reason, not 'I love you if you love me.' It's love for no reason, love without an object.

Ram Dass

Each of us finds his unique vehicle for sharing with others his bit of wisdom.

Ram Dass

Pain is the mind. It's the thoughts of the mind. Then I get rid of the thoughts, and I get in my witness, which is down in my spiritual heart. The witness that witnesses being. Then those particular thoughts that are painful - love them. I love them to death!

Ram Dass

The stroke has given me another way to serve people. It lets me feel more deeply the pain of others; to help them know by example that ultimately, whatever happens, no harm can come. 'Death is perfectly safe,' I like to say.

Ram Dass

You are loved just for being who you are, just for existing. You don't have to do anything to earn it. Your shortcomings, your lack of self-esteem, physical perfection, or social and economic success - none of that matters. No one can take this love away from you, and it will always be here.

Ram Dass

It is important to expect nothing, to take every experience, including the negative ones, as merely steps on the path, and to proceed.

Ram Dass

We come into relationships often very much identified with our needs. I need this, I need security, I need refuge, I need friendship. And all of relationships are symbiotic in that sense. We come together because we fulfill each others' needs at some level or other.

Ram Dass

Same category

The only person who had any control was Jonathan Harris. His character was so flamboyant that he was able to make things happen. My character was fairly one-dimensional, so I had my relationship with Dr. Smith and with the family.

Mark Goddard

It took me a long time to understand the relationship between ideas and between objective facts. But after I clearly understood this relationship, I didn't fool around with other wild ideas. That is one of the main reasons why I just make my scheme as simple as possible.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

In other words the pictures are in a kind of relationship with each other which is touching only at points rather than pictures being illustrations of poems or poems extrapolations of the pictures.

Peter Porter

You're born single, you die single, but why not being in a relationship is some special 'single' status, I don't understand. Life is less stress being single, I have to admit.

Bipasha Basu

It destroys one's nerves to be amiable every day to the same human being.

Benjamin Disraeli

Music was your real passion, this thing you held dear even above family. It was this relationship that never betrayed you. Once it became your job - this thing that was highly visible, this thing that became about commerce - that's when you were holding onto music like it was a palm tree in a hurricane.

Eddie Vedder

He who lives in our mind is near though he may actually be far away; but he who is not in our heart is far though he may really be nearby.

Chanakya

Women are better than man at valuing relationships and much better than men in terms of contributing towards a relationship.

Vivek Oberoi
Tocpics Related

Movies Quotes

Rainer Maria Rilke Quotes

Thomas Moore Quotes

Rithvik Dhanjani Quotes

Emma McLaughlin Quotes

Elizabeth Meriwether Quotes

Sue Hubbell Quotes

Religion Quotes

Notable authors

Thomas Leonard

Tilda Swinton

Anh Do

Wallis Simpson

Vivek Agnihotri

Ariel Dorfman

Dan Reynolds

Christopher Columbus

Have 4 Comment When I look at relationships, my own and others, I see a wide

HPNguyen Ha Phuong

Ram Dass brings up an interesting contradiction in relationships. While they are meant to connect us, they can also serve to highlight our separateness as individuals. It makes me wonder: do relationships sometimes become a way of avoiding true connection by focusing on the roles we play within them, instead of the deep, vulnerable connection between individuals? Could the real challenge in relationships be learning how to be fully ourselves while being truly connected to someone else?

Reply.
Information sender

TLDuong Thi Thu Lan

I find this quote very insightful, as it touches on the complexity of human connection. On one hand, we seek connection and intimacy, but on the other, maintaining individuality is key. How can relationships balance these two forces? Is it healthy to prioritize independence within a relationship, or does it risk creating distance between partners? This idea makes me wonder if the healthiest relationships are the ones where both individuals can grow and thrive independently yet together.

Reply.
Information sender

MNY may Nguyen

This perspective really challenges the way I view relationships. It’s easy to assume that being in a relationship means merging with another person, but Ram Dass’s view suggests the opposite—that relationships often reinforce our separateness. Is it possible that the healthiest relationships are those where each person maintains their own identity and space? What does that say about how we define closeness and connection in our partnerships? I’m curious to explore this more.

Reply.
Information sender

VVu

This quote really makes me reflect on the nature of relationships. Sometimes, we think that being together means we are completely united, but perhaps, as Ram Dass suggests, relationships can actually highlight our individual separateness. It’s interesting to consider whether true intimacy in relationships requires both parties to maintain their own individuality. Can we truly be close to someone while still honoring our separateness, or does the very act of being close lead to blending together too much?

Reply.
Information sender
Leave the question
Click here to rate
Information sender