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Torn! Dating a practitioner vs non-practitioner? New Member!
Hi!
First off, let me say I'm really glad to find a forum for practitioners.
My involvement and experience with meditation started to grow after my last relationship ended about a year and a half ago. In that time I've become passionate about meditation and Buddhism even though most people I know don't practice.
I think more recently I've thought about how nice it would be to share my passion for meditation with a significant other.
In the last month I've started dating someone who's a student in my clinical psychology grad. school program and who isn't a practitioner. We get along well in many ways and I enjoy spending time with her.
My friendship with a girl who attends Buddhist classes/retreats at a local meditation center has made me anxious about my relationship to the girl in the graduate program.
I've started to ask myself some questions:
Is dating a practitioner something that's essential for me? What might I be missing out on by dating a non-practitioner?
While I enjoy being with my gf, part of me worries I'm missing out on something amazing by dating someone who doesn't have the same passion for meditation/Buddhism that I have.
I enjoyed reading past threads about relationships, there were some good tidbits in there. Someone mentioned that it's important to have a close relationship with a fellow practitioner, but that person doesn't have to be your SO. Another person mentioned that a relationship can offer lots of opportunity to spiritual growth, even when you're dating someone who doesn't meditate.
Anyway, I'd love any input all of you have on this issue and my situation. While I am glad I found meditation and consider it to be an important part of my life, I didn't realize how much it would make me rethink my relationships.
Dan
First off, let me say I'm really glad to find a forum for practitioners.
My involvement and experience with meditation started to grow after my last relationship ended about a year and a half ago. In that time I've become passionate about meditation and Buddhism even though most people I know don't practice.
I think more recently I've thought about how nice it would be to share my passion for meditation with a significant other.
In the last month I've started dating someone who's a student in my clinical psychology grad. school program and who isn't a practitioner. We get along well in many ways and I enjoy spending time with her.
My friendship with a girl who attends Buddhist classes/retreats at a local meditation center has made me anxious about my relationship to the girl in the graduate program.
I've started to ask myself some questions:
Is dating a practitioner something that's essential for me? What might I be missing out on by dating a non-practitioner?
While I enjoy being with my gf, part of me worries I'm missing out on something amazing by dating someone who doesn't have the same passion for meditation/Buddhism that I have.
I enjoyed reading past threads about relationships, there were some good tidbits in there. Someone mentioned that it's important to have a close relationship with a fellow practitioner, but that person doesn't have to be your SO. Another person mentioned that a relationship can offer lots of opportunity to spiritual growth, even when you're dating someone who doesn't meditate.
Anyway, I'd love any input all of you have on this issue and my situation. While I am glad I found meditation and consider it to be an important part of my life, I didn't realize how much it would make me rethink my relationships.
Dan
0
Comments
Are you happy with her?
Its a simple yes or no answer. Religion, meditation and so on doesn't really need to be a factor in a relationship, unless it affects your happiness with the person (and in most cases it does). I would think that dating someone with the same beliefs as you would be better than dating a Christian or whatever. But unless it makes you UNHAPPY that she believes the same things as you, then stay with her.
You're not missing out on anything amazing by being with someone who isn't a practitioner. Sounds like you might be carried away with your imagination there. The important thing is brains, integrity, core values, communication skills, etc.