The Divine Romance

 
There is a romantic dimension to the spiritual journey that both eastern and western mystical traditions have discovered. It is considered a prelude and the driving force to the experience of mystical union between the Spirit of God, a masculine principle, and the soul of the individual, a feminine principle. In ancient mythology this was allegorically depicted in the beautiful story of Eros/Cupid and Psyche.

The Myth of Eros (Cupid) and Psyche

This prelude is characterized by an intense dance and play of passionate romance between the Lover and its Beloved, during which the Lover (God) courts its Beloved (the soul) into making a total surrender to the Lover’s interlocking embrace on oneness. This came to be referred to in mysticism as the “Divine Romance” between God and the individual.

At one point of the Divine Romance, the Beloved (soul) surrenders so totally to the infinite charms of the divine Lover, such that the soul melts completely into the blissful caresses of its divine Lover. However, before that, the romance can be momentarily spoiled by the doubts inflicted on the soul by the human condition, as was the case in the story of Psyche. But in the end, the Lover’s love triumphs, and the soul makes its surrender JOYOUSLY. By no means is this the end of the romance. It continues until the Beloved is consumed thoroughly in the fire of the Lover’s love.

“Your persistence on the spiritual path means that the spirit of God has already touched you. You have not chosen God. God has chosen you, and God will not let you go until you arrive safely at home in His bosom.”
— Joel S. Goldsmith —

In God’s eyes, the soul is totally embraceable. You are God’s embraceable you.

Here is a Gershwin song Embraceable You which, to me, typifies the Divine Romance. Listen to the song and its lyrics. Remind yourself that the romantic song between the man and the woman is precisely the essence of the Divine Romance between you and the Divine. As you listen to the song, let the melody whip up the romantic feeling that will sweep you off your feet and the world. Listen to the song as much as you wish until you become so immersed in its romance and the joy of that romance (You may even notice your face smiling blissfully.). Then, gently settle down in contemplation or meditation, right into the silent embrace of the divine presence within you.

Once the Spirit has you in its hands, you are caught hook, line, and sinker.  It grabs hold of all of you, until your inner transformation is made complete. The divine romance has begun.  You can only surrender to It. You can only flow downstream with It on Its way back to the vast ocean of Its oneness.— Marc —

And now, as part of
the Divine Romance . . .

The Divine Romance between the Cosmic Spirit and the Individual Soul
(The Hindu God Shiva and His Consort Parvati Dancing)

. . . enter the eternal cosmic dance of God.