Kahlil Gibran's views on marriage

[Pah]

From The Prophet, Kahlil Ginbran

THEN Almitra spoke again and said, And what of Marriage, master?
And he answered saying:

You were born together, and together you shall be for evermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.

But let there be spaces in your togetherness.
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,

Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

Do you agree with his "portion" of separation?

Bob

 

[Sunstone]

Sounds like Gibran was warning against co-dependency.

 

[martha]

I love Mr Gibrans writings. His thoughts are so pure and sweet and just plain common sence. Although his writings are not common, by any means. I completely agree with all that you quoted.
When people are too close they can sometimes smother each other. It is good to be close but we each need time alone to pursue our other interests, and to grow. If we didn't grow, life would get boring, don't you think?

Thanks, it was a joy to see Gibran's words.

Joyfully,
martha

 

[Lightkeeper]

I think he was saying remain an individual and grow. Hopefully we can find partners that will allow us to grow into what we were meant to grow into. Too many of us find Bonsai masters that want to shape us into their own image. I agree with Gibran.