Human Intimacy

The Gift & The Gift & Challenge of Challenge of LovingLoving

‘Is there enough love…?’

The Crisis of RelationshipsThe Crisis of Relationships

For Maturing Adults Only Beyond the popular Beyond the popular

understanding of understanding of intimacy.intimacy.

The demanding The demanding journey toward journey toward authentic intimacy.authentic intimacy.

God is Love Inner Life of Inner Life of

God: God:

Source of Source of IntimacyIntimacy

Rublev’s Trinity Icon of Divine & Icon of Divine &

Human Human Intimacy.Intimacy.

The Com-Unity The Com-Unity of Godof God..

Trinity as Overflowing Love

Perichoresis—The Inner ‘Dance of Perichoresis—The Inner ‘Dance of Relationship’ in God.Relationship’ in God.

Church as sacrament of relationship.Church as sacrament of relationship. ‘‘May they be one, as we are one…”May they be one, as we are one…”

What is Intimacy? Biblical Metaphor Biblical Metaphor

(John 15)(John 15)

I Call You I Call You Friends…Because Friends…Because I have made I have made known known everything…everything…

What is Intimacy?

Loving behavior that is Loving behavior that is manifested through manifested through

self-disclosure.self-disclosure.

Circles & Levels of Intimacy

FamilyFamilyColleaguesColleaguesFaith Faith

CommunityCommunityClosest Friends Closest Friends Spouse/PartnerSpouse/Partner

Levels & Circles: Jesus

The Crowds.The Crowds. Jewish leaders.Jewish leaders. The 72.The 72. The Twelve.The Twelve. Special 3 (Peter, James, John).Special 3 (Peter, James, John). Closest friends (Mary,Martha Lazarus).Closest friends (Mary,Martha Lazarus).

Self-Intimacy—Foundational

The great The great commandment commandment and self-and self-acceptance.acceptance.

‘‘our own wounded our own wounded self’ (Jung).self’ (Jung).

Love matters…

The Dance of Intimacy

Intime—Inside, Intime—Inside, Deep Within.Deep Within.

Intimidare—to Intimidare—to cause fear, to cause fear, to intimidateintimidate..

Inside of…? BodyBody StoriesStories FeelingsFeelings ThoughtsThoughts Values & BeliefsValues & Beliefs Personal HistoryPersonal History

Self-Disclosure ““Heart of Heart of

Intimacy”.Intimacy”.

Becoming Becoming transparent.transparent.

Self-Disclosure—a Challenge

‘ ‘Tell all’ culture.Tell all’ culture. ‘‘Vicarious intimacy.’Vicarious intimacy.’ Healthy boundaries.Healthy boundaries. Appropriate self-disclosure.Appropriate self-disclosure.

Varieties of Intimacy

Face-to-FaceFace-to-Face

Side-by-SideSide-by-Side

Back-to-BackBack-to-Back

This is how they will know…

That you have That you have LOVE for one LOVE for one another…another…