I had a dream recently, in which an old friend and I met and gave each other a hug. It was a deep, long hug; a sharing of presence and being with each other, like melting into sleep. The body relaxed and the heart opened. What a wonderful, gentle, hello.
Take a moment, close your eyes, and let yourself remember the best hug you ever had. It may be a recent experience, or one from long ago. Let the memory arise from your body and being, relax into it, like sliding into a warm bath.
Perhaps you have memories of different hugs that were exceptional, but in different ways. Imagine that you can combine them into one glorious experience. As you play, notice that even if you are using imagination, you are feeling something real in your body right now. Let that feeling rise, open to it and breath it deep.You are now being present with yourself, much more than a memory. Embrace your own loving presence.
For me the art of hugging has to do with being present with myself and the other person. Grounding, dropping into myself, opening my heart, and becoming aware of my space and theirs. Focusing in this moment and releasing everything else. Sharing my presence with them and receiving their presence as it is offered to me. When you give it your attention, each hug is unique, each person and each occasion a different experience.
While a hug can be mechanical and perfunctory, it can also be rich and deep; there are layers to a hug. The physical aspect, depending on relative height, size. The different styles of hugging; is there still space in between, where is contact made, which side do you hug on? Is it strong or light? Under this there are emotional levels; how do you feel with this person? whether you have known them for years, or just met? Finally there is an inner layer of spirit, an energetic meeting that takes place within the physical and emotional shells. A deep hug, is a whole conversation in presence, sharing it with another human being; giving and receiving warmth, connection, permission to be, and love.
On each level we may be more or less present, with the other and with ourselves. There can be light hugs that are deep energetically, and bear hugs that do not share the heart. The variation is neither good nor bad, but something to notice, consider, and play with.
Remember/imagine/feel a hug for yourself, whichever is most needed in this moment. Give that wonderful hug to yourself, now. Allow yourself to feel it on all levels of your being; held, met, witnessed, with love and compassion. This is a resource for you at any time. Living it with another, a lover, or friend, or even a new acquaintance is wonderful, but this space or feeling is always available to you.
If you like you can wrap your arms around yourself, like the old high school gag, but imagine that energy of love wrapping around you, receiving it from Spirit or Self, dropping deeply into a space in which your heart is full and open; your being relaxed and vibrantly alive. Being present with yourself, in Love is always possible, right now.
(© 4/2013)
