Dating & Finding Your Life Partner

Dating is a form of courtship, where a couple in a romantic relationship meet socially and participate in activities, either alone or with others. While there may be some people who date “for fun”, most people date to assess their partner’s suitability as a prospective life partner in a future more serious, more intimate relationship. Dating is thus seen as a precursor to engagement, because it allows the couple to explore their romantic and/or sexual feelings toward each other before committing themselves.

Every relationship goes through five dating stages, that help you assess if you and your partner are destined for a lifetime commitment:

Attraction & Romance — In this stage, a couple spends a lot of time together communicating via a number of channels (i.e. online dating sites, phone calls, dates, etc). In this initial stage of dating, because your actions are based on hormones, you tend to focus on your similarities and ignore your partner’s flaws. That’s why it’s called the fantasy phase or honeymoon stage, and it lasts approximately three months.
Reality / Power Tussle — In this stage, you start to see flaws in your partner and pet peeves that turn you off. Reality begins to set in and you may have your “first of many fights”. But this doesn’t mean that you’re no longer in love or no longer attracted to each other. This phase tends to slowly creep in and may last up to six months. While almost all relationships make it past the first / earlier stage, most online dating relationships never survive this second stage.

Exclusivity / Commitment — Couples who make it through the second stage stop seeing other people in this stage. Having grown to recognize and accept their partner’s flaws, they make sole commitments to start seeing each other exclusively (regardless of circumstances).
Intimacy — In this stage, couples let their guard down, open up to each other and become vulnerable (without holding anything back). They are ready to experience the essence of true love, by committing time and growing more physically and emotionally intimate.
Engagement / Blissful Love — In this final stage of dating, the couple decides whether they want to be committed to each other for life, through their souls and bodies, and against all odds. They agree to work together inclusively and make plans for a fruitful future.

If you need guidance along the way and through these dating stages, you can always approach a love guru.

The 5 Stages of Relationships Everyone Should Know

How To Choose A Partner Wisely

Sadhguru | Look For This One Thing In Your Life Partner | The Great Sadhguru