The bhakti understanding that true love requires releasing the need to own or control the beloved, transforming attachment from grasping to devotion.
In Mirabai's tradition, prema—divine love—exists as a force that dissolves the ego's need for possession and control. Unlike anxious attachment that clings or avoidant attachment that distances, prema invites a paradox: complete vulnerability without demand for reciprocation. Mirabai sang of loving Krishna knowing she could never possess him, yet this impossibility freed her to love more authentically. Applied to romantic relationships, prema offers a framework for examining whether we love our partner for who they are or for how they make us feel secure. This concept helps individuals recognize when attachment patterns stem from fear rather than genuine connection, inviting a shift toward loving the other's autonomy as sacred.
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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