In a world that seems to be accelerating by the day, it can be a struggle to stay connected with oneself and others, thus disconnecting us from the present moment. How can our own skin and sense of touch support our journey in cultivating deeper connections, both with ourselves and others.
Touch as a language
Our sense of touch is said to be the very first language we learn. A language we develop while gestating in our mother’s womb. The sense of touch is rooted within our skin barriers, received by sensory receptor cells who forward sensory messages through the nervous system and up to the brain where the information is translated.
Skin organ as host and barrier
The host for this primal language, the skin is the body’s largest organ and covers it in its entirety. In a physiological sense the skin protects our other organs, bones and muscles from the harsh environments we live in. In a more philosophical or metaphorical sense the skin acts as a bridge between our inner and outer worlds. The skin is where we end and something else begins.
Everyday we use our sense of touch to move through the world. The skin covering our hands and fingers are diligent workers who never seem to rest, for those who have them. For those who have a different constellation have other parts of the body and skin that take on this role. Either way it’s the skin and sense of touch that is leading the way, exploring the world through the environments we find ourselves in. These action are more often than not unconscious and reflexive, seemingly happening own their own.
The sense of touch is not only our first language but also a universal language that can be understood beyond spoken words, whichever our mother tongue.
In a fast paced world that keeps on accelerating in strife for greater efficiency and profit no matter the consequences. This in itself overwhelms our bodies systems while we try to keep up with a pace that doesn’t come natural to us as living beings. For many of us this ultimately means that we disconnect from ourselves by neglecting our body’s needs in favour of following the ideas and structures of greater society. We look outside ourselves for answers, we trust that someone else knows better and the fear of lagging behind propels us to override our inner voice of wisdom and the body’s signals. Disconnect with ourselves also means that we are disconnected from others. When we feel connected to something or someone we also care about them and our compassion grows far beyond our own sphere.
3 rituals for connection and presence
With this I want to invite you to try three simple rituals that involve your skin and sense of touch as a way to connection and presence. I does start within after all.
A few key aspects of these practices are that all movements are slow. All acts or intentions are mindful and the scene is our skin and the actor is our sense of touch.
- Bring your palms together. Notice any sensations or feelings arise here. Then slowly and gently rub your palms against each other. Keep your focus on the feeling sensation of skin touching skin. What does it feel like?
- Place your fingertips on your temples. Follow the contours of your face with softly and slowly. Explore all patches of skin covering your face with the gentle motions of the skin cover your fingers. How does it feel?
- Take a moment to settle into your body and the space you are in. Take a few deep breaths, inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Place your hands on your chest and allow your hands to follow the movement of your breath. Then bring your awareness to where the skin of your palms meets the skin of your chest. Notice any sensations here. Rest in the sensations that surface. You can either stay here a few moments or allow your palms to begin to slowly stroke the skin along your chest in a gentle motion.
How did these short practices feel for you? Is there anything that has shifted inside of you?
