David C. Roche
is an Imago Educator and is a member of the Board of
Directors of Imago Relationships International. David is
currently a marketing consultant and lives with his wife
Diane in the Chicago area. He has held many sales, marketing
and general management positions in his career in the USA,
Canada and Mexico. He is an avid golfer and skier and loves
to play the guitar and the drums.
Ten characteristics of the conscious marriage
(Imago Connections e-newsletter, May 2009)
1.
Partners
in a conscious relationship recognize that the purpose of
their relationship is to heal their childhood wounds. The
basic principle of a conscious relationship is
intentionality.
2.
Partners
in a conscious relationship educate each other about their
childhood wounds. In a conscious relationship, partners
exchange unconditional gifts.
3.
Partners
in a conscious relationship accept each other’s absolute
separateness, their unique way of perceiving reality, and
the sacredness of each other’s inner world. In a conscious
relationship, partners are separate but equal. Dialogue is
the core of communication.
4.
Partners
in a conscious relationship keep all the energy that belongs
in the relationship within its bounds. In a conscious
relationship, there are no exits.
5.
Partners
in a conscious relationship communicate their needs and
desires to each other in constructive ways. In a conscious
relationship, there is no criticism.
6.
Partners
in a conscious relationship accept all of each other’s
feelings, especially anger. In a conscious relationship,
anger is expressed by appointment only.
7.
Partners
in a conscious relationship learn to own their own negative
traits. In a conscious relationship both partners are
responsible for and carry all aspects of themselves.
8.
Partners
in a conscious relationship develop their own lost strengths
and abilities instead of relying on their partners to make
up for what is missing or lost in themselves. In a conscious
relationship each partner calls the other to wholeness.
9.
Partners
in a conscious relationship develop their own contra-sexual
energy and encourage the development of their partner’s
contra-sexual energy. In a conscious relationship each
partner strives toward androgyny.
10.
Partners
in a conscious relationship are able and willing to direct
their excess energies to the world outside their
relationship. In a conscious relationship partners care for
others and the world.