Balancing Radical Love and Boundaries:
Navigating the Slopes of Spiritual Discernment (Part 2)
When I was a ski instructor, I often faced moments where I had to make difficult choices—not just for myself, but for my students. There were times when a student wanted to push beyond their limits, beyond what was safe, and I had to say no. Other times, I had to push them past their fear and encourage them to take the leap, to trust in their own ability. This delicate dance of knowing when to hold back and when to push forward is the same delicate balance required in living a life of radical love.
As we explored in Part 1, love without boundaries is not truly love. But what happens when we must take a stand? How do we discern when love asks us to be soft and when it demands we be fierce? This is where spiritual discernment, meditative inquiry, and our lived experience become essential tools.
The Role of Meditative Inquiry in Spiritual Discernment
In skiing, as in life, presence is everything. If you are not fully engaged in the moment, if you are not attuned to the conditions, the terrain, and your own body, you will make mistakes. Spiritual discernment requires this same level of awareness. Meditative inquiry is the practice that allows us to listen deeply—not just to our own desires or preferences, but to the Divine guidance that moves through us.
In moments of conflict, injustice, or uncertainty, we must ask ourselves:
What is the highest vision for this moment?
What is mine to do?
What must I release to fully embody Love?
What is Love calling me to embrace?
This practice allows us to move beyond reactive emotions and into the wisdom of the heart. It teaches us to recognize when an open heart requires an open door—and when love requires us to firmly close that door and walk away.
The Risks and Rewards of Setting Boundaries
When I first started setting boundaries in my personal and spiritual life, I feared that I would lose people. And I did. Some relationships ended. Some people did not understand. But what I gained was far greater: clarity, integrity, and a deeper connection to the Divine.
Boundaries are not walls; they are sacred containers. They allow us to remain in integrity with our highest calling. When we say no to things that do not align with our spiritual path, we are saying yes to something greater.
Consider Jesus, one of the greatest metaphysicians and spiritual teachers of all time. His love was radical, but it was not without boundaries. He overturned tables in the temple when he saw corruption. He spoke truth to power. He walked away from those who could not hear him. His love was fierce and unwavering, but it was also discerning.
As New Thought minister David Alexander states:
“Oneness does not mean sameness. Oneness does not mean that we stand idly by while harm is done. To stand in the truth of Love means to actively participate in its expression in the world.”
A Call to Action: Embodying Love and Justice
Living from radical love means embracing both its tenderness and its power. It means knowing when to soften and when to take a stand. It means recognizing that love is not passive—it is the most active force in the universe.
Just as I taught my students that skiing requires both control and surrender, we must recognize that love requires both compassion and conviction. We cannot stand idly by when harm is done in the world. We cannot allow dysfunction in our personal lives in the name of peace. Peace, real peace, is built on truth.
So I ask you:
Where in your life have you been hesitant to set boundaries, fearing that it would not be loving?
Where is Love calling you to take a stand?
How can you embody the balance of radical love and firm truth?
Love is not weak. Love is not passive. Love is the most courageous force in the universe. May we all have the courage to embody it fully.
May we ski the slopes of life with grace, discernment, and fearless love.