What Is Right Relationship?

An ancient principle for living in integrity with self, others, and the world around you

Right relationship is the practice of being in alignment…
with yourself,
with others,
with nature, with the land,
with time,
with truth,
and with the responsibilities that come with being human.

It’s not about being perfect.
It’s about being aware.
It’s about honouring the relational field you’re part of and choosing to move within it with clarity, care, and conscience.

It’s a way of saying…
I know I’m not the center of the universe,
I know I’m not separate,
I know my actions have consequences and I want to be in right standing with what sustains me.

Right Relationship with Self

This means knowing yourself, not just your preferences, but your inner structure.
It means telling yourself the truth.
Honouring your needs.
Listening to your body.
Taking responsibility for your behaviours without collapsing into shame.
And living from your center rather than from performance, avoidance, or projection.

It is self-accountability, not self-absorption.

Right Relationship with Others

This means recognising others as unique individuals, not extensions of you, not obstacles, not props in your story.
It means communication that’s clear, not manipulative.
Boundaries that protect, not punish.
Generosity without martyrdom.
And the maturity to hold both your truth and theirs without needing to win.

Right relationship isn’t always comfortable, but it’s honest.
And that honesty becomes the foundation for trust, repair, and connection.

Right Relationship with Nature

This means remembering that the earth is not just a backdrop for human activity, it is the living source of all life.
Right relationship with nature is rooted in humility and reciprocity. It means taking only what is needed and giving something back. Recognising that we are not above nature, but exist within it. Protecting what sustains us, and listening to your conscience by refusing to participate in systems that treat the land, air, waters, and creatures as expendable.

It’s learning to live with the earth not on top of it.

Right Relationship with Time and Place

It means slowing down.
Living seasonally, in harmony with the natural rhythms and cycles.
Understanding that everything has its time and trying to force or bypass the process usually leads to harm.

It means learning the history of the land you stand on.
Acknowledging the peoples who came before.
And making decisions that take future generations into account, not just short-term gain.

Right Relationship with Power

It means being aware of the influence you hold, even if it’s subtle.
It means using your voice where it matters, and knowing when to listen instead of lead.
It means not hoarding resources, attention, or control.
And not disappearing when responsibility calls.

It’s a refusal to dominate and a refusal to abdicate.

Right Relationship with Life Itself

This is the spiritual root.

It’s the understanding that you are not separate from the whole.
That everything is connected.
That your wellbeing is intrinsically tied to the wellbeing of others.
And that when you live with reverence, for your body, your choices, your relationships, and the earth, you become part of a much greater healing.

It’s Not a Rule, It’s a Rhythm

Right relationship isn’t a fixed rulebook.
It’s a living practice.
A listening posture.
A willingness to course-correct again and again.

It’s less about getting it “right” in the moral sense, and more about sensing when something is off and choosing to tend to it, rather than avoid it.

Right relationship is not an achievement.
It’s how we stay human, together.