21 GUIDELINES FOR CONSCIOUS RELATIONSHIPS

SEVEN GUIDELINES FOR GOING INTO A RELATIONSHIP 1. Develop a relationship with yourself before getting deeply involved with anyone else. 2. Go into a relationship to cooperate with each other in the great adventure of life. 3. Learn how your demands and preferences create your world. 4. Be aware that falling in love is not a basis for commitment. 5. Can you share life together in a way that contributes to your mutual well being? 6. Honor your differences. 7. Don't expect the relationship to make you happy.

SEVEN GUIDELINES FOR CREATING A DELIGHTFUL RELATIONSHIP 8. Communicate deeper and deeper levels of honesty. 9. Ask for what you want, but don't be addicted to getting it. 10. Work on your own personal growth ~ but not your partner's. 11. Notice that both you and your partner always have beneficial, positive intentions. 12. Give all the "gifts" you can emotionally afford to give. 13. Discover how your relationship is perfect for your enjoyment or growth. 14. Enrich your relationship by helping others.

SEVEN GUIDELINES FOR ALTERING YOUR INVOLVEMENT 15. For your own growth, consider staying involved until you have changed your demands to preferences. 16. Alter your involvement if you no longer want to cooperate in the great adventure of life. 17. Take responsibility for altering the relationship ~~and don't blame yourself or your partner. 18. Be totally open and don't lie or hide things. 19. Follow through on your commitments or work out a change in the commitments. 20. Hold on to heartfelt love, for only this will enable you to make wise decisions. 21. It's only a melodrama ~ so don't get caught up in it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reprinted from The Power of Unconditional Love: 21 Guidelines for Beginning, Improving, and Changing Your Most Meaningful Relationships by Ken Keyes, Jr. Copyright 1990 by Love Line Books.