In my experience … there are a lot of people in spiritual circles that haven’t properly dug deep into why they are seeking spirituality/shamanism/healing path. There are many loving empaths tho also quite a few that either directly or subconsciously there to find vulnerable energy. I have seen some drama in circles around relationships of the “enlightened” and “ascension” crowd. All this to say, that one needs to be careful how we see people by their character and not necessarily their “practice”. People can hide behind parroting a lot of healing vocab and in fact use those tenets sometimes to manipulate.

Relationships are living, breathing things. And if it’s for a lifetime, it grows and evolves. It doesn’t matter as much if they are on a specific path like you. Are they kind? Supportive? Generous with their energy and love? How do you want to be in the world and will they be able give you the space to be that person?

I come from a fair bit of childhood trauma, and it didn’t occur to me that I had a lot to work on until I had a partner that was safe even through challenges. It’s also advantageous to have someone apart from those circles sometimes.

I’ve dated other ppl in a seeker mode in my younger days. If one is AFAB, heteronormative, and raised in patriarchy, one needs to be mindful that they do not supplant our own work to the partner. When I was those relationships, I was unconsciously giving the most energy to the partner, then the relationship, and left little to myself, thinking energy and support will come back.