Affection refers to relations among family members and friends where there is a strong bond of closeness and understanding. I cultivate affection by expressing love and spending quality time together. The opposite is distance.§
Comparing the actions of one who is affectionate to one who is distant§ |
||
|---|---|---|
Situation§ |
Affection§ |
Distance§ |
When you are not engaged in studies and required chores, you…§ |
spend time with your mother in the kitchen helping with meals and discussing current events.§ |
tend to isolate yourself in your room playing video games.§ |
Hearing that his parents are divorcing, your friend is going through an emotional time. You…§ |
draw near him, as someone he can lean on and speak with about what he is going through.§ |
keep apart until the divorce is over, not wanting to get involved in the sad situation.§ |
On family home evening, you…§ |
look forward to gathering with loved ones and bring topics for discussion.§ |
show by your body language that you would rather be somewhere else.§ |
Gurudeva explained: “To be affectionately detached—that is a power. That is a wisdom. That is a love greater than any emotional love, a love born of understanding, a love that merges you into the river of life and allows actinic force to flow within you so that you realize God.”§
“India’s culture spread all through Asia, and because of it one rarely sees any affection shown in public—kissing, hugging, hand-holding, touching or feeling.”§
ASSIGNMENT: These two weeks, focus on drawing near others more than usual and study the effect your closeness has on your relationships and state of mind.§
Date you began this assignment ____________________§
MY THOUGHTS ON THE BENEFITS OF BEING AFFECTIONATE: 
§
