Through the busyness of our day,
The many tasks needing to get done,
Intimate moments can be pushed aside.
Taking time for true intimacy is often discouraged in our fast-paced society.
There's no time.
Many conversations are limited to sharing daily activities,
Discussing TV shows or scrolling through social media in the other's presence,
Leaving us with shallow,
Substanceless exchanges.
We miss the deep,
Meaningful connections,
The loving,
Expressive words our spirit needs.
Our surface-level interactions fail to dig into the richness that's found in the depths.
Intimacy is vital for feeling connected,
Loved,
And a sense of belonging.
We can be physically close to others,
Yet still feel distant,
Unable to express our true selves,
Stuck in the roles we've taken on.
There are moments when we could choose to be honest and vulnerable,
But instead brush our feelings aside,
Stay quiet,
Or minimize our truth.
The thought of intimacy can be exhilarating,
Or it can be filled with anxiety.
It can be freeing and fun,
Or it can be fraught with insecurities and self-consciousness.
Intimacy involves sharing your story,
Revealing who you are,
And allowing someone to truly see you.
They see into the depths of your soul,
While you see into theirs,
Stripping away any barriers to expose the purest,
Rawest essence of who you are.
And when there,
Compassionately embracing each other in this space.
Imagine letting go of all that hinders intimacy.
Ego,
Insecurities,
Fears,
Pretenses.
Imagine feeling safe to let your guard down,
Lower your armor of protection,
And reveal what lies beneath.
But what holds you back?
Is it your fear of rejection,
Fear of judgment,
Or the unease of being seen so completely,
So exposed,
Or the fear of opening up and being hurt again?
It's not easy.
It can be scary.
It requires immense courage and a bravery that runs deep within your core.
What would it be like for you to let go and be held in total acceptance?
Your innermost thoughts,
Desires,
Fears,
And dreams seen completely and embraced.
Close your eyes and take a deep breath in.
Slowly exhale.
Take another deep breath in.
Slowly exhale.
One more deep breath in and let it out slowly as if blowing out a candle.
I want you to start to see a warm,
Golden light surrounding you.
Feel this light's warmth.
Feel the comfort it brings.
Breathe it in.
Now bring to mind someone you long to feel close to,
A partner,
A friend,
Or loved one.
Imagine them sitting before you,
Their presence calm and reassuring.
This loving,
Gentle light also envelops them.
Feel their safety,
Their respect and care for you.
See their kind eyes looking into yours,
Filled with understanding and acceptance.
Feel the connection between you,
A bond that goes beyond words.
In your mind say to them,
I am open to you.
I trust you with my true self.
Feel the sincerity of these words as you speak to them.
Imagine this person reaching out and gently holding your hands.
Feel the warmth of their touch,
The reassurance it brings you.
With each breath,
Allow yourself to relax more deeply into this connection.
Visualize any barriers or walls around your heart slowly dissolving.
See any fears start to dissipate.
Insecurities revealing their untruth.
These hindrances are replaced with openness,
Lightness,
And vulnerability.
With each breath,
Feel your heart expanding.
Your heart feels free to share,
Free to express,
Free to give and receive love as it was intended to.
As you breathe in,
Feel the love and trust between you growing stronger.
Now repeat silently to yourself,
I am safe to be vulnerable.
I am worthy of deep connection.
I am loved for who I truly am.
Take a few more deep breaths,
Basking in this feeling of intimacy and closeness.
And know that you have the courage to open up and share your true self.
In this moment of surrender and vulnerability lies the possibility of experiencing love's greatest sacred gift.
Being fully seen,
Fully accepted,
And fully loved.
To feel it completely,
Be in its warmth,
We must open ourselves to the depths of intimacy.
Take a deep breath in and let it go and open your eyes.
Like a garden,
Intimacy flourishes with care,
Patience,
And attention.
It blossoms when nurtured and tended to with love.
Intimacy is poetry for the soul,
Transcending physical touch.
The laws of human connection teach us that the more you share yourself with others,
The more they'll share themselves with you.
Now when you are presented with the opportunity to go deep,
To truly connect and be intimate,
Choose intimacy.
Choose to bring in the richness and create meaningful moments and connections in this brief time we all have together.
Tara Brach said,
True intimacy asks for a gentle and honest unveiling of who we are.
