ENEMIES: From War to Wisdom Episode 24: Why Do Marriage and Commitment Bring Up Feelings of Hostility and Fear?

When people are preparing to go through a wedding – whether it’s their first or not – they often dream they are dying or are about to attend a funeral instead of a wedding. Why does monogamous commitment to another person, who is an equal, tend to bring up deep anxiety and even hostility towards that person? In this episode, we are going to explore the Buddha’s teachings of impermanence and limitation in relation to the fears that many of today’s adults, young and old, have of marriage and commitment. We will look at the ways in which a committed relationship creates a path for spiritual and psychological development and a deepened recognition and understanding of the relational nature of the human self.