Some complain
about getting along
with others
who cause them
many problems—
ah, if they
could only be alone
they could experience
some peace and quite—
but really we are all
relational creatures
as is all existence,
conscious or inert
if we really study
the universe:

Everything has
its component parts
from solar systems and planets
to the elements composing them
earth, water, fire, air, space
living things, celestial bodies
cells, DNA, atoms, molecules
mountains, streams, valleys
plains, deserts, oceans
all having meaning
by comparison
and relationship to.

Whatever we see
or experience is
in relationship
to something else
as nothing stands alone
though all is one in Krishna
he manifests form and variety
and we cannot, not be
in correspondence to
another part,
even a speck.

To master oneself
or our life
we must master
relationships
seeing them as life’s
building blocks
the key to happiness
and fulfillment
as mirrors
to help us
look at ourself.

We are interdependent,
independence is illusion
from any angle of vision
whether atomic or universal
the ultimate truth being
we are part of Krishna
who is the center
of our center
life of our life
soul of our souls
the glue which
causes things to
relate to things,
parts to parts
people to people.

True lasting happiness
is playing the part
we were designed
to play
in loving service
to our Source
and more intimately,
the Lord of our hearts.

Our principle forms
of God, Radha-Krishna
Gaura-Nitai
who are never alone
always surrounded
by loving servants
friends, parents, lovers—
every type of relationship
finds its rest in them.

Now we have to practice
relating to other
people and devotees
whether a spouse, child
friend, boss, guru,
teacher, student,
antagonist, all for
relationship practice
to be loving, kind
compassionate
choosing to find
the good, not seeing
the blemishes as who
they—or we— really are.

Can’t escape others
by false renunciation
since we must learn
how to get along
with all types of
“others”
from the lowest
mean selfish conditioning
to the great souls—
all can be our teachers
with the potential
to help uncover
our sleeping soul
or show us
what we need
to be purified from
learning that without
relationships we
can’t exist
whether in this
world or the next.