We live life simultaneously on many levels – in our bodies, in our hearts, in our minds, and in our souls. We devote much of our time to expressing our individual personalities and unique talents, carving out our place in the world. At the same time, we each have a deep longing to remember our universality. Our hearts yearn for the relief that comes from feeling connected.
One of the ways we express our longing to transcend our constricted boundaries is through physical affection. When we touch another person, the rigid boundary between “I” and “other” temporarily melts away, and our sense of isolation is diminished. Sexual expression is the most intense way we connect with another person on a physical level. During passionate lovemaking, the boundaries of individuality blur, while our awareness merges with our partner’s. For at least a brief moment, time and space cease to exist.
On an emotional level, our longing to connect is expressed as love. A child loves her teddy bear. A teenager loves a pop star. A husband loves his wife. A mother loves her child. This single word expresses our feelings in so many different situations because love is the common element that expands our sense of self. Love bonds the part with whole, uniting the individual with the universal.
Spiritually, the longing to connect manifests as compassion. When we are able to see another as an expression of our own essential self, boundaries dissolve and our heart flows in loving recognition of the divine in the other. The deeper the unity, the more freedom we experience. The energy we were consuming in defense of our individuality then becomes available for creativity, joy, and passion.
