Q: Recently my girlfriend started experimenting with different religious views. She grew up in a non-practicing Jewish home and has never really embraced any organized belief system. But now she's researching a bunch of different things to get in tune with her "higher self", like mediation and chanting. I've been supportive of everything she's interested in even if it's not my thing. Part of her expanding spirituality is a decision to be celibate. She thinks it will help her focus if she removes that type of physical stimulation from her life right now. I asked her long she wants to keep this up and she
couldn't give me an answer. But it's been a little over a month and I'm beginning to lose patience. Do I have to put up with this? Is it realistic to expect me to wait until she reaches some kind of spiritual revelation?

A: Interesting predicament you're in. A couple of things, though: I don't believe anyone should interfere with another's spiritual growth.  It's one of the most personal choices one can make and frankly, it doesn't matter if you like it or understand it. As long as she's safe, let her do what she needs to do. That said, this is a committed, romantic relationship and along with that comes a certain level of obligation to one another. No, no one "owes" anyone anything. But it's assumed that the two of you were on the same page when you decided to be together. Sex was a part of that mutual understanding. And now she's switching it up and you're no longer in sync.  It's a fair move for you to say, "Hey, we want different things at this point so I'm going to move on."  So to answer your question, you don't have to put up with anything. Especially if you consider your girl's quest for enlightenment to be something you have to "put up with". That's sounds like resentment to me.  Look, I get it. You didn't sign up for this. But it just so happened she decided to embark on this journey while with you. If you can't accept that with a pure heart, it's best that you be honest with her and say that you're not ready to give up sex.