Four Themes in the Intimacy Pillar:
1. Social Engagement System
2. "Me" and "We"
3. Comfortable with Closeness
4. Your Warm Heart
Topics covered in this pillar:
- Deepening self-awareness of responses to disturbances in the connection system, including hurt, resentment, envy, jealousy, quarreling, inadequacy, loneliness, and shame.
- How we evolved to be the most social species on the planet.
- Neural mechanisms of healthy interpersonal experiences acting to calm and support us.
- Understanding childhood development of patterns of relationships. Attachment theory; patterns of insecure attachment; muzzling self-expression.
- Balancing the two great themes of life: autonomy and intimacy.
- Centering in your own being. Healthy boundaries.
- Tolerating closeness. The role of empathy; its three neural substrates; developing empathy skills.
- How to experience the heartfelt without “going red” into clinging to it.
- Feeling already connected, related. Overcoming “delusional separation.”
Also Featured:
2 Creative Activities
Interviews:
Sue Carter
Linda Graham