Conscious Dating

Make a list of your wants and needs in dating and relationships. Kindness Respect Honesty Love Attraction Desire Growth Harmony Maturity Emotional Intelligence Intelligence Communication Sex Chemistry Exploration Experimentation Security Safety Touch Sweetness Mutual active caring for each other Inclusion Intrigue Expansion  Understanding Eye contact Serendipity Excitement Joy Emotability Easeful conflict resolution Home Supporting visions Supporting actions Independence and interdependence Hand holding Face stroking Mutual attraction Holding Leaning into Financial wellbeing Physical wellbeing Open-mindedness Hearing each other Did I mention love?

What did I love doing as a child? My favorite things by myself were creative - painting, drawing, writing poetry, reading, philosophizing, journaling, rearranging my room. My favorite things with other people are different depending on my age. As a younger child I remember loving to just play. I remember recreating the dance from Dirty Dancing with my neighbor because we both loved the movie. Tag, hide-and-seek, anything where we felt free and open and even with each other. Non-judged. As an older child, I loved (and still love) conversation. Sitting for hours and hours talking and drinking coffee. Also, playing board and card games.

When you think back on your dating experiences what emotions come to your mind and body?  Right now, because of my current situation, I'm experiencing anger. From the past, anger, disappointment, sadness, frustration, dread, pressure in my chest, like I want to stay alone. (and it makes me feel alive) If you haven't dated before, what are your feelings about the idea of dating? Well, I feel I haven't dated in the way that I imagine I would like to date, so I'll answer this question too. Apprehension, excitement, nervousness, in addition to what I listed above.  (and it makes me feel alive) Make a list of your emotions surrounding dating and the inner narratives and questions which tend to accompany these emotions. This list will be a touchstone for you as you move through the course, so take time to gently access your feelings, including the full complexity of your experience-- the good and the bad. Why not me? (and it makes me feel alive) Why a...