Do relationships interfere with our inner growth?
Sometimes we are afraid of relationships because we feel the other person may control us and may take us away from our inner exploration there are two different things over here first is as far as inner exploration is concerned, certainly we need some solitude for that and having our space our time is good, especially if we are introspective, it's not just good, it's essential and some people may not need that, some people are introverts some are extroverts, so extroverts may not feel the need for that, in fact they will find it odd, so in that case we have to create healthy boundaries when we form relationships also this is my personal time I want to be alone with myself I want to be happy whatever it is so if that understanding is established in the beginning itself then so much problem doesn't come basically when we feel that others are encroaching on our territory then we feel controlled when you are saying that good fences make good neighbours so in relationships also we specify, this is my nature this is how I am, and I'll leave this time this space, I may not be always available all the time, I may not respond immediately whatever it is that we have to find out what it is that makes us feel that others are controlling us and then we specify our boundary and if we do it in a respectful way people understand and second thing is with respect so with respect to inner exploration, sometimes if you find people who are also introverts then actually their exploration can happen better by discussing with them you just have to find those kind of people it may take some time you don't have to be afraid of relationships but we can be cautious see when we are fearful that means fear is the dominating emotion fearful means fearful of fear but cautious means fear is there, but it is a healthy fear so to be cautious about relationships is perfectly fine and if we over a period of time there are people who are introverts also so there are people who also like to explore the inner world if you find those kind of people, then we can have deep discussions with them so just be patient no no, just be patient you keep no need to be afraid of relationships, but no need to feel insecure because one is not jumping into relationships like everyone else is we have our nature and according to our nature, in due course of time we will find people who understand us and with whom we can bond just be who you are and especially if you practice meditation, connect with practice some bhakti now that goes to our deepest goal, goes to the level of our soul so that will give you that sense of inner validation and then the validation that comes from outer relationships that will not be so dependent on bhakti.