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.