Reflections on life. Collections of inspirational quotes. Rediscovering relationships and faith.
Posted in Kahlil Gibran's Letters, KHALIL GIBRAN QUOTES, PLATONIC LOVE, RELATIONSHIPS on Mar 22nd, 2007 No Comments »
No human relation gives one possession in another – every two souls are absolutely different. In friendship or in love, the two side by side raise hands together to find what one cannot reach alone.~ Kahlil Gibran’s words from Mary Haskell’s journal (8 June 1924)
When Carlo gave me “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran, he quoted the above words of Kahlil telling me: “Our relationship is unique. No one will understand the love we have for one another. We are two different souls walking side by side…” I was 16 then while he is 10 years my senior. Our relationship was purely platonic which lasted for several years till he died.
Do you believe in platonic love between a man and a woman or even between same sex? Carlo conceived platonic love as pure and unconditional. “It’s the feeling that matters, not what you get out of it”, he said.
Our society scoffs at this kind of relationship. It wonders and suspects if an emotional and intellectual attraction between two persons can survive without sex.
Since that day Carlo introduced me to Kahlil, I found myself attracted to Gibran’s works and spirituality. I wanted to know him more as a man.
Reading the verbatim quotes from the journal entries , I discovered a beautiful platonic relationship between Kahlil and Mary which lasted for more than 20 years till his death. The 325 letters which Kahlil wrote her gave me an insight of his innermost feelings and sensitivity as a man.
Carlo, on your 10th death anniversary today, I would like to raise my hands in gesture of salute to you as a man, as a treasured friend and as an intellectual lover who walked by my side unconditionally.
Like Kahlil, your favorite poet and philosopher, I have known an art of love far beyond human judgement. I owe you that Carlo.
I am sharing some of Kahlil Gibran’s letters to tell the world that platonic love between two persons is possible!