All Life is Relating

“All life is relation” 

Martin Buber

This statement from Martin Buber’s I and Thou, remarks on the inherent and fundamental relational reality of existence.  All life exists in relation.  We are all in relation to something or someone.  No one can ever truly stand outside of a relationship, and we are always relating towards or with another.  In essence, all life is dialogue, or a conversation in some form.  We start in the womb, life begins inside of the Other.  This fact is a core theoretical principle of Relationally-Focused Psychodynamic Therapy, and is the basis for understanding the importance of relationship.  Out of this, therapists who practice in this way, know that though we are hurt in relationships– we are thus only capable of healing in relationship.