Commitment to community and relationships for their own sake, severing the transaction-based thinking that makes belonging conditional.
Rabia's famous prayer—"I love you with two loves: the love of longing, and the love of gratitude. I do not worship you from fear of hell or hope of paradise"—reveals devotion untethered from self-interest. Applied to belonging, this means showing up for people and communities without keeping score of reciprocity. Fitting in is transactional: you conform to gain acceptance. Belonging is devotional: you participate because the community matters intrinsically. This shift eliminates the resentment that poisons "fitting in" relationships—where you give while secretly tallying debts. Pure devotion creates sustainable belonging because it releases the anxiety of whether you're getting enough back. Rabia's framework shows that when you love without conditional expectation, you paradoxically receive more genuine care. The practice involves noticing when you're performing devotion for recognition, then releasing that need entirely.
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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