Some People Show Us How to Live, Others How Not To Live

Seeing God in Every Relationship — A Vedantic Perspective

Seeing God in Every Relationship — Image by Author

Navigating the vast ocean of online knowledge, my attention was captured by an intriguing article signed by Swami Tyagananda. The depth of the concepts discussed immediately ignited a spark of reflection in me, and it is with great enthusiasm that I wish to share with you the essence of this enlightening thought, enriching it with my interpretations.

Before delving into the heart of the article, it is essential to briefly introduce the author, Swami Tyagananda. We are talking about an eminent Hindu monk of the Ramakrishna Order, currently head of the Vedanta Society of Boston. He also shares his spiritual wisdom as a Hindu chaplain at the prestigious MIT and Harvard. His vast knowledge is evidenced not only by the articles and writings he publishes but also by the engaging lectures and conferences he holds at prestigious American universities.

Look beyond the surface 

The article in question deals with a theme that is as universal as it is fascinating: the presence of God in the relationships we weave along our path. As human beings, our lives are interwoven with intricate and multifaceted connections with family, friends, acquaintances, and even with people who fleetingly enter our orbit. The author urges us to look beyond the surface of these connections, inviting us to perceive the subtle divine filigree that runs through them.

Seeing God in Every Relationship

In chapters 9 and 10 of the Bhagavad Gita, the echo of God’s immanence resonates, an echo that manifests itself in verses 9.17–18:

“I am the Father of this world — the Mother, the Sustainer, the Grandfather, the Purifier, the one thing to be known, Aum, and also the Ṛk, Sāman and Yajus, the Goal, the Sustainer, the Lord, the Witness, the Abode, the Refuge, the Friend, the Origin, the Dissolution, the Substrate, the Storehouse, the immutable Seed.”

From this sublime statement springs the prayer of the Prapanna Gītā (23):

“O Supreme Lord — 
You are my mother, you are my father,
You are my relative, you are my friend,
You are my knowledge, you are my wealth, 
You are my all in all.”

When this prayer springs from a sincere and pure heart, the mind focuses completely on God. Everything else fades away, the other relationships fade, leaving room only for the radiant divine presence that fills the heart.

Seeing God in Relationships: A New Outlook on the World

But a doubt arises spontaneously: if God is all this — mother, father, friend, our “all in all” — what happens to the relationships we have built with the people we love? Are they perhaps false, or meaningless?

Absolutely not! Our relationships are not illusions. Their value and meaning come precisely from the presence of God inherent in them. The love we feel in these relationships is the love of God manifesting itself through us.

Atithi

If our relationship with our parents has been fulfilling and rich, it is because God is present not only in them but also in the relationship itself. The same goes for our teachers, our friends and even the “unexpected guest” (Atithi), whoever enters our life unannounced. This includes almost everyone we know, because how many times have we received a reminder before someone assumed an important role in our existence?

God is present in every single relationship. The problem is that we are often unable to see it. This is why the Vedic masters urged their disciples to strive to see God in every relationship (Taittirīya Upaniṣad, 1. 11). When we succeed, harmony, peace and joy blossom, making the relationship a fulfilling and meaningful experience.

How to See God in Every Relationship: A Journey of Awareness

Seeing God in every relationship is a process that is simple to describe but requires commitment and dedication to be applied correctly. It is about connecting with everything and everyone in life through God and keeping this awareness alive at all times.

We can start looking at our relationships with new eyes. Every person we interact with, be it a family member, friend or acquaintance, is a gift God has given us to help us grow and evolve.

God’s Precious Gifts: Life Lessons from Each Relationship

Even difficult relationships can be a precious gift. They teach us what patience, compassion and forgiveness mean. They help us develop inner strength and overcome our challenges.

Every person we meet has something to teach us, whether about life or ourselves. Some show us how to live, others how not to live. Some teach us what it means to be, others what it means not to be. All are our teachers and deserve our love and respect.

Universal Love: The Force that Unites Everything

When we see God in every relationship, universal love spontaneously arises in our hearts. We no longer make distinctions between “us” and “them”, but embrace everyone with the same compassion and affection.

Universal love is the force that unites all creation. It is the force that allows us to overcome the barriers of selfishness and ignorance and to realize union with God.

Universal Love as a Catalyst for Transformation

Seeing God in every relationship implies a profound change in perspective. One no longer sees the other as a separate individual but as part of a single, great Universal Soul. The ego dissolves and universal love spontaneously arises in the heart, dissolving the barriers that separate us and opening us to union with the Whole.

And so…?

Human relationships can be a source of great joy and fulfilment, but sometimes they can also prove frustrating and disappointing. The main cause of this suffering lies in our inability to see the divinity present in others and ourselves.

Every person we meet is a divine gift, a precious soul that God has entrusted to our care. Forgetting this fundamental connection leads us to live relationships in a superficial and individualistic way, creating fertile ground for misunderstandings, conflicts and suffering.

On the contrary, when God’s presence permeates a relationship, a profound transformation occurs. Hearts open up, love expands, and a sense of union and belonging arises that goes beyond blood ties.

Universal love

Family, in this context, takes on a broader meaning. It is no longer limited only to blood relatives but includes all living beings, whether human, animal or plant. Compassion and universal love become the driving force that guides our interactions with the whole world.

As the Mahā Upaniṣad states: 

“This is ours, that (the other) is not ours — this kind of thought belongs to people with a narrow mindset. For the magnanimous, the whole earth becomes one family.”

Seeing God in every relationship means cultivating an attitude of openness, respect and love towards all beings. It is a journey of discovery that leads us to recognize our interconnectedness with the universe and to live in harmony with the Whole.

An Invitation to Action

Swami Tyagananda’s invitation is clear and powerful: open your heart to universal love and see God in every relationship. It is an invitation to transform your life into a concrete expression of compassion, kindness and love for all beings. In a world often dominated by divisions and conflicts, this message takes on even greater importance.

Do you agree with the author’s perspective? Why or why not?

Share your personal experiences with seeing God in your relationships.

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Thank you for reading.