Welcome to this shared practice.
This is a space to connect with yourself honestly and gently.
To connect with your partner openly and lovingly.
To be here together just as you are and simply meet one another again as two humans here and now.
There's no right way to be in this space.
Just be willing to arrive,
Willing to feel and willing to connect.
So let yourself sit down facing one another either cross-legged or in chairs.
Comfort to be close.
You may choose to hold hands or rest them on each other's knees.
Your eyes can remain soft or gently closed to begin.
And then we take a deep breath in together and gently letting it go through the mouth.
Let your bodies arrive.
Let your attention soften and let yourselves be here together.
Feel the rhythm of breath settling both of you into the moment.
Now start by turning your attention inward.
Feel your own body,
The weights of it.
The breath moving in and out.
Notice your own presence here.
The aliveness in your chest,
Your hands,
Your belly.
Simply be with yourself for a few quiet breaths.
Let go of the day.
Let go of what's next.
Just be here,
Now,
Fully,
Gently and without effort.
Now bring your awareness to the breath again and imagine breathing with your partner.
Without a need to force a rhythm,
Just feel how your breathing dances near theirs and maybe even synchronizes organically.
Let it be soft and natural.
You're simply coexisting as two separate whole beings breathing together.
So pay attention to their breath just like you're paying attention to your own.
The sound of the air flowing in and out of their nostrils by maybe feeling their warm exhale on your skin.
Feel the space between you soften.
Now if your eyes were closed,
Begin to gently open them.
Let your gaze land softly on your partner's face.
There's no need to stare or lock eyes.
Just allow them to settle naturally.
Notice what's really there.
The curve of their mouth.
The lines around their eyes.
The way their breath moves.
Let yourself see them,
Not as your role or relationship,
But as a human right there,
Right here.
And it is completely normal if this might feel awkward at first.
You might want to laugh or look away or feel self-conscious and that's okay.
Just notice it and stay.
Let this comfort soften with your every breath.
Breathe and look again as if you were seeing them for the very first time.
Stay curious.
Stay soft.
Nothing needs to happen.
Now allow your gaze to shift from discovery to recognition.
Like seeing someone you've known your whole life.
Someone familiar.
Trusted.
Safe.
Rest in that.
Let your presence say what words can't.
I'm here and I see you.
And if you wish you can meet each other's eyes and for a couple of breaths,
Let the gaze be soft and steady.
You're not looking at each other.
You're looking into.
Just allowing yourselves to be,
To be seen as you are.
Let yourself receive the other.
Let yourself be received.
Seeing and being seen.
Gently.
Honestly.
And without trying.
Let the connection be human.
Quiet and enough.
Now bring your attention to your hands,
Wherever they're touching.
And if they're not yet,
Then feel invited to reach for one another.
You might gently hold hands or rest your hands on each other's knees.
Or place a hand over your partner's heart.
Wherever feels natural and close.
Let the contact be intentional.
A way of saying,
I'm here with you.
What do you feel?
Warmth.
Texture.
Pulse.
Stillness.
Maybe the softness of the skin.
The slight movement of the breath.
The quiet hum of their presence beneath your palms.
Feel their aliveness through your hands.
Not just physically,
But energetically.
The subtle rhythm of a whole human being.
Right here with you.
Without any need to speak.
Just being curious.
Being open.
And attentive.
Allow your hands to listen.
And your presence to respond.
Now slowly bring your awareness back inward.
To yourself again.
And if you want,
You can bring your hands back to your own space.
Feel your own heartbeat.
Your own breath.
And your own longing to be loved.
To be seen.
To be safe.
Let compassion rise for yourself.
For all that you carry.
For all that you give.
And just for a moment,
Place one hand on your own heart.
Because this is where connection begins.
Now gently bring that same compassion outward.
Let it move through your breath,
Your eyes,
Your hands.
And silently offer this intention to your partner.
You can silently say,
I see you.
I respect your experience.
And I wish you ease.
Notice what shifts as you offer this.
Take a minute or two now in silence.
Resting on this awareness together.
With no need to do or be anything else but this.
And letting the silence hold both of you.
And then gently bring your awareness back to the space around you.
The sounds in your environment.
The light.
The connection you've created together.
If you wish you can share a gentle touch.
Maybe a squeeze of the hand.
Maybe an embrace.
Or just a soft smile.
Let your final breath together be full.
Grounded and slow.
Inhale through the nose.
And exhale through the mouth.
You may choose to thank each other.
With a word,
A gesture or your eyes.
Let this be something to return to.
Not just in stillness but in daily life.
And when you wish to reconnect more deeply.
Then come back to this space.
Just the two of you.
Just like this.
Present,
Open and together.
I hope to have you back here soon.
