In 2013, the Dasi-Ziyad Family Institute received a lot of calls for help; sadly, several of those calls involved domestic violence, both physical and emotional; many couples reached out for help with their marriages and some very intelligent couples reached out for help before they got married.
Because we are committed to strengthening marriages and families and empowering couples and individuals with healthy relationship skills, we take very seriously every single call, every single effort to get assistance.
One thing we are noticing is that many, many individuals have lost the sense of what is real caring or real love. Many think that as long as their spouse or partner is pleasing them or doing what they want, the relationship will be fine. But time and again, people are seeing that this attitude does not cause happiness either to themselves or to their spouses.
Relationships need healing, people need connecting, the community is crying out for solutions to the myriad problems we are experiencing. Depression, mental and physical illness are widespread. People are seeking medicine to get well. What most don’t understand, however, is that the root cause of all unhappiness is forgetfulness of our real identity. Our real identity is that each of us, without exception, is a particle of the Supreme Whole to whom everything belongs and who is the Creator, Maintainer and Enjoyer of everything. To state an oft-repeated fact, “we are spiritual beings having a material experience.” Therefore, the solutions to our problems (even the material problems) are spiritual.
That Supreme Whole is called by many names and He has given us guidelines and principles for all of the necessary social institutions, including marriage & family life. These guidelines, these principles show us how to live in this world and be happy. When we neglect these guidelines, when we act outside of the natural order, the consequence is dis-ease, pain, suffering, illusion, etc. So for dealings between men and women, there are certain principles that, when carried out, will assure peace and harmony.
What we see from the calls that come into our Dasi-Ziyad Family Institute, is a disturbing focus on self-centered desires, a certain narcissistic attitude. The principles that make marriage or relationships work are service, cooperation, commitment, a willingness to forgive, a willingness to acknowledge wrong, compassion (sensitivity to others and a true desire for their well-being), cleanliness, open and honest communication, mutual respect and appreciation, alignment with spiritual principles and acceptance of social responsibility.
Our prayers for the many families we have served and others, is that the year 2014 brings us closer, kinder, wiser and more compassionate in our dealings with each other. Then the calls we get at the Dasi-Ziyad Family Institute will show progress and indicate happier, more peaceful times for couples and families. We are looking forward to the good things that will happen to couples and families in 2014!
Krsnanandini & her husband Tarik are on the mark again! We can always count on inspiring & insightful wisdom from you two promise keepers and talk-walkers. I just hope you’ll keep me updated about when your next couples semi- nar is. One that I can attend. I made a lot of progress last year, selling one albatross house I needed to sell and a truck I couldn’t drive. I’m hoping you’ll do one seminar around the Black Lotus affair in May, so we can attend both events on one trip. I’m also expressing my total gratitude for all the help you’ve given us already. Raga dasi