The practice of expressing yearning and incompleteness honestly, dissolving the pretense that autonomy requires self-sufficiency or togetherness requires resolution.
Mirabai's poetry is saturated with longing—for union, for presence, for the beloved. Rather than suppress this longing as weakness or resolve it prematurely, she voiced it endlessly and honestly. Her longing was itself devotional, a form of prayer. In the tension between autonomy and togetherness, we often suppress longing: either denying our need for others (false autonomy) or demanding they fulfill our incompleteness (false togetherness). Mirabai shows another way: express the longing fully without demanding it be satisfied. This is truth-telling. We are incomplete; we do need; we do yearn—and this is not a failure of autonomy. Naming longing honestly allows us to distinguish between genuine connection needs and projections. It keeps us vulnerable and awake rather than defended or demanding. In relationships, partners can hear our longing without being made responsible for it. This authenticity strengthens both the capacity to stand alone and the willingness to reach toward others.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
Explore related journeys or tell Peri what you're working through.