Soul Sessions | Jungian Coaching Podcast by CreativeMind
Episode: Attracting A Spiritual Relationship
Hosts: Deborah Berndt Maldonado & Dr. Rob Maldonado
Date: February 24, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, Deborah Berndt Maldonado and Dr. Rob Maldonado complete their romantic love series by diving deep into the concept of spiritual relationships through the lens of Jungian psychology, Eastern spirituality, and social neuroscience. Together, they explore how romantic partnerships can serve as catalysts for personal transformation, individuation, and a deeper spiritual union. The conversation is rich with Jungian theory (especially the anima and animus), personal anecdotes, practical advice, and symbolic wisdom—making this episode essential for those seeking to create or deepen a soulful, spiritual partnership.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Projection and Its Role in Relationships
[01:15]–[02:19]
- The hosts revisit the concept of projection, describing how unexamined aspects of our psyche are unconsciously transferred onto our partners.
- This dynamic can place an unfair burden on the recipient, as they may feel responsible for the projector’s emotional well-being.
- “If you don't understand projection, you're going to be projecting onto your partner, and that's not going to work.” — Dr. Rob Maldonado [01:15]
- Projection in relationships is unavoidable but can become a powerful tool for self-awareness and growth if consciously recognized.
2. Anima & Animus: The Balance of Love and Power
[01:55]–[03:29]
- Jung’s anima (inner feminine) and animus (inner masculine) are universal forces within all individuals, regardless of gender.
- True partnership requires integrating and balancing these energies to facilitate growth and creativity.
- Key insight: Relationships serve as arenas where we can experience ongoing rebirth and renewal if both partners actively commit to conscious growth.
3. Marriage as a Spiritual Union
[02:19]–[03:29], [09:01]–[09:20]
- The idea that relationships, especially marriage, transcend legal and social contracts by embodying psychological and spiritual unions.
- Notable Quote: “Marriage is not a mere social contract, but a psychological and even spiritual union.” — Carl Jung, cited by Deborah [02:19]
- Both discuss how the union of masculine and feminine energies symbolically mirrors the creation of new life—not just biologically, but creatively and psychically.
4. Personal Growth Within Relationships
[03:30]–[06:22], [04:18]–[05:22]
- Pursuing personal development both before and within relationships is emphasized.
- Debate: Should one be “fully healed” before dating or do relationships accelerate personal growth?
- Deborah: “People hide behind personal growth sometimes and they don't put themselves out there because they're like, oh, I'm not done yet, I'm not ready yet.” [05:22]
- Rob: “Maybe it's more like the idea of jumping off the cliff and building the plane on the way.” [06:03]
5. Purpose and Soul Partnership
[06:22]–[08:16]
- Self-knowledge and purpose are directly tied to attracting the right spiritual partnership.
- “You can't find your soulmate unless you know your own soul.” — Deborah [07:27]
- Sharing happier, more purposeful lives leads to more fulfilling, less co-dependent relationships.
6. Love Partner as Carrier of the Soul
[09:01]–[10:17]
- Referencing Jung: “The love partner becomes the carrier of the projected image of the soul.” — Carl Jung, cited by Deborah [09:01]
- Our partners become mirrors for our soul, enabling us to see and interact with our deepest, most divine qualities.
- Eastern philosophy supports projecting divinity onto tangible forms for easier connection, e.g., the Upanishads.
7. Integrating Sacred and Everyday Life
[12:10]–[13:19]
- Discussion on balancing spiritual practices with ordinary life challenges (bills, chores, routines).
- “Cooking a meal, cleaning the house, taking care of business. As well as meditation and being in nature or experiencing peak experiences. All of those things are one and the same thing.” — Dr. Rob [13:00]
8. Love Versus Power
[13:19]–[14:13]
- Notable Quote (originally Jung, paraphrased): “Where love reigns, there is no will to power. And where the will to power is paramount, love is lacking.” — Deborah [13:19]
- Spiritual love is defined by devotion, not attachment or ego-driven needs.
9. Sacred Duty and Spiritual Devotion in Partnership
[08:16]–[09:01], [14:38]–[16:19]
- Romantic relationships are sacred duties tied to expressing love and purpose in the world.
- Bhakti yoga and devotional love paralleled to unconditional love experienced in parent-child or soulful partner relationships.
10. Symbolic Life and the Union of Opposites
[17:09]–[19:23]
- Jung saw marriage as symbolic of the union of conscious and unconscious, masculine and feminine, inner and outer life.
- Quote from Upanishads via Deborah: “The spark is exact element of the fire, but it's just different in name and form.” [18:09]
- We experience not just individual fulfillment but union with the greater consciousness.
11. Shadow Work and Triggers as Growth Opportunities
[19:23]–[21:34]
- Every interaction—even short-lived dates—reflects patterns and projections to be examined for personal growth.
- “What is the pattern? What is triggering you?... And then examine that and say, let me sit with this feeling of why this bugs me so much.” — Deborah [20:00]
- Example of “the ick” as a trigger inviting self-inquiry rather than rejection.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “If you don't understand projection, you're going to be projecting onto your partner, and that's not going to work.” — Dr. Rob [01:15]
- “You can't find your soulmate unless you know your own soul.” — Deborah [07:27]
- “Marriage is not a mere social contract, but a psychological and even spiritual union.” — Jung, cited by Deborah [02:19]
- “The love partner becomes the carrier of the projected image of the soul.” — Jung, cited by Deborah [09:01]
- “Where love reigns, there is no will to power. And where the will to power is paramount, love is lacking.” — Jung, cited by Deborah [13:19]
- “Cooking a meal, cleaning the house, taking care of business… All of those things are one and the same thing.” — Dr. Rob [13:00]
- Discussion of the “ick” and how our triggers with partners reveal important projections and opportunities for self-awareness [20:00–21:34]
Time-Stamped Guide to Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment Topic | |------------|-----------------------------------| | 01:15 | Foundations of Projection | | 02:19 | Spiritual Meaning of Marriage | | 03:29 | Integration and the Role of Ego | | 04:18 | Growth Acceleration in Partnership| | 06:22 | Personal Purpose and Belonging | | 07:27 | Finding Your Soulmate | | 09:01 | Love Partner as Soul’s Carrier | | 10:17 | Projecting the Divine | | 12:10 | Bringing Spirituality Into Daily Life | | 13:19 | Love vs. Power | | 14:38 | Sacredness of Devotional Love | | 17:09 | Marriage as Symbolic Union | | 18:09 | Eastern View: Individual to Universal Soul | | 19:23 | Triggers and Shadow Work | | 20:00 | The “Ick” Phenomenon and Growth |
Final Reflections
Deborah and Rob conclude by reinforcing that romantic partnerships, when approached consciously, become powerful vehicles for both individual and collective transformation. Through Jungian concepts, personal stories, and spiritual wisdom, they illustrate how spiritual relationships are less about perfection and more about ongoing integration, self-awareness, purpose, and the sacred practice of love in everyday life.
For further exploration on these topics—including training and coaching opportunities—see the resources in their show notes.