Awakening Intimacy
“…there’s nothing more intimate in life than simply being understood.
And understanding someone else.”
– Brad Meltzer, The Inner Circle
Intimacy is often equated with sex. While sex is a physical expression of intimacy, it is not the entirety. Intimacy first involves living openly with yourself – of developing a deep understanding of your own inner life. Who am I – really? What is most important to me? What beliefs drive my emotions and behaviors? What are my highest goals? What are my deepest fears? What are my wounds that have not yet healed? From self-knowledge, then you are able to share your true authentic self with others.
Relationships provide an opportunity for us to be totally visible. No hiding behind masks…no withholding of aspects of self. However, for this to happen, we need to feel safe and accepted by our partner. We need the assurance that we can trust this person to respect our feelings, to keep a shared confidence, to accept our shadow side as well as our light. We need to feel emotionally safe enough to expose our whole self, knowing that we’ll still be loved. I often hear this expressed as “I want to know my partner/spouse has my back.” And our partner needs the same.
“Intimacy is not purely physical. It’s the act of connecting with someone so deeply, you feel like you can see into their soul.”
– Reshall Varsos
Intimacy is at the heart of a strong relationship. It involves both emotional and physical openness with another person. When we trust another to hear our fear as well as our joy, we are much more inclined to reveal our true selves without holding anything back. That includes our sexual selves. We can allow our partner to see all of who we are – and we know how to extend this loving acceptance to our partner. We can feel free to express our deepest desires and passion – trusting the security of the relationship and respect from our partner. This depth of intimacy is as if we are seeing into the soul of our partner and sharing the depth of our own soul. It is easy to under- “…there’s nothing more intimate in life than simply being understood. And understanding someone else.” ~Brad Meltzer, The Inner Circle “Intimacy is not purely physical. It’s the act of connecting with someone so deeply, you feel like you can see into their soul.” ~Reshall Varsos stand how some spiritual teachings speak of “knowing” your mate when referring to sexual intimacy.
Awakening intimacy is a unique approach to understanding and accepting yourself – and your partner. It involves a conscious intentional choice to learn, practice, heal, and grow together. Whether you are single, newly coupled, or have been in a relationship for years, Awakening Intimacy is a process of discovery that will lead to happier, healthier, stronger, and more fulfilling relationships.
This process may help you in some or all of these areas:
- Improve communication to deepen emotional connection.
- Resolve conflict in a timely manner without creating emotional disconnect.
- Be free of guilt/shame.
- Experience freedom from wounds of trauma.
- Be more present in life and relationships.
- Create more openness in your relationship.
- Prioritize and dedicate regular time to focus on your relationship.
- Gain sexual confidence.
- Connect with your own body to improve body image.
- Practice frequent mutual touch – non-sexual and sexual.
- Explore new expressions of sexual desire and passion.
- Energize and deepen your sexual intimacy.
- (Re)Focus on growing together.
- Develop practices that will keep the spark alive and the connection fulfilling for a lifetime.
The process of Awakening Intimacy is woven into my approach to Couples Counseling, Individual Counseling, and Sex Therapy. Please read on for more information about the services that you are interested in.
If you are ready to experience deep transformation and live an intentional life, personally and in a relationship, please contact me. I’ll be happy to address your questions.