The bhakti insight that mourning what was lost—the trust, the image of the partner, the future imagined—is itself an act of devotion and honoring.
In bhakti tradition, grief for the beloved's absence is not something to overcome quickly but to inhabit fully as a form of love. Mirabai's poems are drenched in longing and sorrow, yet this sorrow deepens her devotion rather than diminishing it. When trust is broken through an affair, conventional wisdom urges moving on, but this concept teaches that authentic grief—for what was lost, for the illusion shattered, for time wasted—is necessary and sacred. Grieving well means honoring what the relationship meant, acknowledging the betrayal without minimizing it, and allowing the heart to break open rather than harden. This grief, properly metabolized, becomes wisdom. It teaches us what we truly value, what boundaries we need, and what love requires of us. The examined heart grieves deliberately and without rushing toward false resolution.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
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