“To love is to recognize yourself in another.”
~Eckhart Tolle
I’m excited for this post today for two reasons. First, this is the first time I’m offering an audio interview with myself as the interviewer. And second, I had the great pleasure of interviewing Phil and Maude from PhilandMaude.com on a topic of interest to everyone—peaceful relationships.
Phil and Maude’s mission is to bring peace to the world one relationship at a time. In this interview, you will learn the tools you need for making your relationships more peaceful. Phil and Maude are clearly experts, and it’s very inspiring to listen to them!
We gathered together in my home office on a beautiful Saturday afternoon for our delightful conversation. Just press play to hear the interview. Or if you would like to download it, click here: Download. The audio will open in a new window. Then for Mac’s, control-click, then “Save video as…”. For PC’s, right click.
For more information about Phil and Maude and their extensive archives on relationships, please visit PhilandMaude.com. And take a look at their book available on Amazon, How Two Have a Successful Relationship.
Peaceful Relationships
Here are some of the topics we covered:
4:48 | Presence in relationships |
8:40 | The importance of believing that peaceful relationships are possible |
11:10 | Taking responsibility for what you contribute to relationship struggles |
17:00 | The deep power of accepting others |
18:00 | Matching core values |
20:17 | Celebrating differences |
23:29 | From disagreeing to finding creative solutions |
30:27 | The value of being flexible |
38:40 | Peace in relationships |
41:00 | Sacred space in relationship |
I hope you enjoy this interview as much as we enjoyed recording it.
What About You?
How are you doing with bringing peace to your relationships? Any questions or comments? Phil, Maude, and I would love to hear… And if you’re reading this by email, please click here to comment.
Phil and Maude says
Hi, we’re Phil and Maude and we’d love to hear your questions and comments.
Gail Brenner says
Hi Phil and Maude,
Again, thank you so much for the lovely and helpful interview. Your perspective breathes a breath of fresh air into what’s possible in our relationships.
Jamaica says
Enjoyed the interview so much. Thank you! My question is how do you handle relationships with difficult family members or friends who are so used to operating in conflict? I have found my limits and placed personal boundaries however some conversations and connections are still needed to continue the relationship and I’m unsure how to proceed? Any ideas or thoughts are appreciated ❤️
Gail Brenner says
This is from Phil and Maude: Hi Jamaica. Congratulations on knowing yourself well enough to find your limits and also to understnd how to set boundaries. You’re clearly already moving in the right direction.
It’s tough when one side has an argumentative way of relating. When it’s a relationship you can’t step away from, like family, the best way is to avoid being drawn in. Insults? Try to let them wash over you.
You don’t have to accept other peoples’ reality, and you don’t have to join in their mind games. There is a place you can be where you don’t take any of it personally. Instead, when you see the other person/people,their need to fight and their inability to love, know that it has nothing to do with you and find that place inside yourself where peace and love can come shining through. You can bring peace into the room just by staying inside that place of peace yourself.
You say that conversations and connections still need to occur. Be very clear for yourself what you want out of those and only become involved in that aspect of the exchange.
Mirroring is a very useful technique when communicating with people who do not have much self-awareness. Apply active listening to them and at the same time after you hear what they have to say, reflect back to them what you heard before you speak what is in your heart.
Many an angry heart has been softened and become calmer when they feel they are being heard and acknowledged.
Phil and Maude says
Hi Jamaica. Congratulations on knowing yourself well enough to find your limits and also to understnd how to set boundaries. You’re clearly already moving in the right direction.
It’s tough when one side has an argumentative way of relating. When it’s a relationship you can’t step away from, like family, the best way is to avoid being drawn in. Insults? Try to let them wash over you.
You don’t have to accept other peoples’ reality, and you don’t have to join in their mind games. There is a place you can be where you don’t take any of it personally. Instead, when you see the other person/people,their need to fight and their inability to love, know that it has nothing to do with you and find that place inside yourself where peace and love can come shining through. You can bring peace into the room just by staying inside that place of peace yourself.
You say that conversations and connections still need to occur. Be very clear for yourself what you want out of those and only become involved in that aspect of the exchange.
Mirroring is a very useful technique when communicating with people who do not have much self-awareness. Apply active listening to them and at the same time after you hear what they have to say, reflect back to them what you heard before you speak what is in your heart.
Many an angry heart has been softened and become calmer when they feel they are being heard and acknowledged.