We are all touch deprived.
The sensation of touch hunger is so unbearable that we block it out. The reason for our deprivation not just the pandemic, with this newly installed fear of contact.
Our technologies are so beautiful and alluring that we don't realize that they present the simulation of touch. We think we are in touch with our friends when we text them. The touch interface of our phones was designed by modeling natural human touch gestures, sorcery and shamanism. Mudra or magical gestures are used all over the world in every culture.
I love Zoom and Facetime and Skype but after awhile it is like drinking those totally artificial sports drinks. It will keep you alive but is nothing like real fruit juice. We are designed by nature to get up in the morning, rub shoulders, make a plan, then go off gathering. Come back and sit around the fire in the evening, side by side, telling stories, and fall asleep in a huddle by the fire.
Here are a couple of things I find useful. First, meditate in any way you like, even for 5 minutes.
At the end of meditation, linger in the subtle world of touch. The touch of the air as you breathe in and out. The touch of your clothes on your skin. As you linger there, practice luxuriating.
Create your own mantra such as, "I am awake to the world of touch." Or you might prefer, "Now I am awake to the world of touch." "-ing" words are also fun, so simply "touching" is a beautiful mantra.
“Now" is a fun little mantra. It is handy to make up a chant or word or phrase you like, and connect this with sensory activation. When you walk outside, develop a habit of pausing somewhere safe and beautiful and just feel the touch of sunlight and air on your skin.
"I am awake to the world of touch." Do this every day for a week or so, even for a couple of minutes.
When we form an intention of something we long for and hang out with it for even 60 seconds after meditation, it's powerful.
On a sensory level, you are inviting your brain to rewire itself so that your touch sensors are dialed up a bit. You can enjoy more, whatever amount of touch you are getting. Meditation is essentially a process of taking more and more delight in less and less, so that you are delighted to simply exist and be breathing.
If you want to make up a Sanskrit mantra for yourself:
avamarśa - touch, contact parimilana - touch, contact
pratyavamṛś - to touch. To reflect, meditate.
sāndrasparśa - soft to the touch. susparśa - pleasant to the touch, very soft or tender.
sparśendriya - the sense of touch. sparśana - touching, handling. Air, wind. The act of touching, touch, contact. Sensation, sense of touch, organ of sensation or feeling, sensitive nerve.
Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary, 1899
We discuss these and some other issues in our virtual meditation intensive Wild Serenity. You still can register and join us!
