Loving distant friends for their own sake rather than for validation or reciprocation, freeing friendship from transactional patterns that distance often exposes.
Rabia's revolutionary teaching was loving God without hope of paradise or fear of hell—pure devotion stripped of reward. This principle transforms how we approach friendships across distance. Distance exposes transactional friendship: if someone doesn't message back quickly, we feel rejected; if we don't see them, we wonder if they still care. Pure devotion asks something different: can you care for this person without needing immediate proof that they care equally? This doesn't mean accepting abandonment, but rather distinguishing between genuine friendship and ego-based attachment. When you release the expectation that your friend must prove their devotion through constant contact, you free them—and yourself—to love honestly. A friend might be silent for months due to life circumstances, yet remain genuinely devoted. Rabia teaches that true love holds this paradox. For distant friendships, pure devotion means: you reach out not to elicit response but because the person is worth your attention. You celebrate their growth even if they're rarely present in yours. This is the highest form of friendship.
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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