Valentines Day comes around once a year. Relationships are here to stay. Whether you’re happily single, in a new relationship or in a long term relationship, there may be a tip or two here for you from our meditation collection. As the Co-founder of Meditation Studio, I asked some of our top meditation teachers to create a meditation collection devoted to relationships. 

Before we began, we asked this question to many of our customers, “what are your greatest obstacles when it comes to relationships?”

Not surprisingly, we all have our own ways of dealing with relationship issues, but the core challenges are common to just about everyone. Addressing them is how our Meditation Studio Relationship Collection was born. This is one tool that you just may want to have on hand this year.

Here are the Top 7 Obstacles with suggested Meditations…

1) Obstacle: My partner doesn’t hear (or understand) me.

Suggestion: Probably the three greatest relationship needs are being seen, being heard, being understood.

Getting these three basic desires met takes empathy (and compassion). Mastering empathy is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy long-term relationship, it’s also a key to simply getting along better in life.

Meditation: “Learning To Empathize” by Lodro Rinzler is nothing short of relationship gold.

2) Obstacle: Getting impatient and/or angry about issues instead of discussing them (aka being passive aggressive).

Suggestion: Successful couples often commit to having the tough discussions and start with a focus on a hoped for or positive outcome. Doing this is easier if you can focus on kindness first.

Meditation : Stefanie Goldstein’s meditation, “Kindness Toward Your Partner” is well worth practicing.

3) Obstacle: Both of you think you’re right.

People can get very invested in their “rightness,” though we all know that everyone has their own point of view.

Suggestion: There are some things worth arguing about, but there are times when we need to accept a different point of view and move on.

Meditation: Chrissy Carter’s “Reflecting on Acceptance” will help.

4) Obstacle: Being critical (or feeling criticized) because someone isn’t meeting your expectations.

Suggestion: No one is perfect (including us). Learn to patiently accept others for who and where they are and you’ll have happier relationships.

Meditation: Try Listening to Understand, by Chrissy Carter

5) Obstacle: Fear of appearing vulnerable. Many of us turn mute when it’s time to express our true feelings. We want to be tough and strong. We’re afraid that if we say what we really feel we’ll look foolish.

Suggestion: Being vulnerable is about the bravest thing you can do.

Meditation: “Communicating your Truth” by Chrissy Carter will inspire you.

6) Obstacle: Resist seeing our own faults. Intimate relationships often reveal traits in ourselves that we’d rather not confront.

Suggestion:  We may unconsciously choose relationships that force us to learn what we need to learn.

Be open to the lessons that your relationships can teach you about yourself. @meditationsapp (Click to Tweet!)

Meditation: Explore “Relationship Lessons” by Chrissy Carter.

7) Obstacle: Waiting until you’re in the “danger zone” to talk about a problem. Many people store up resentments and unexpressed grievances until they’re furious, leaving the other person feeling blindsided and attacked.

Suggestion: It’s much more effective to talk about problems when you’re not upset.

Meditation: Try Finding Calm in Conflict, by Chrissy Carter.

For more relationship meditations plus meditations for stress, sleep, anxiety, happiness, confidence and so much more…download Meditation Studio… and fall in love (with it!). PS…you may also want to listen to our podcast this week…Your Love Questions Answered with Ashley Turner.

Patricia Karpas is the co-founder and head of content for Meditation Studio LLC, the home of Meditationstudioapp.com. This 5-star app includes 200 meditations, 16 collections, 3 courses and 27 teachers. The app focuses on stress, anxiety, pain, sleep, happiness, confidence, performance and so much more, providing tools for beginners and experienced meditators. It’s a must have! She’s also the host of Untangle, the podcast that showcases the stories of experts, authors and real people whose lives have been transformed by meditation or mindfulness practices.

Image courtesy of Katie Salerno.