Let’s start with the easy part
Indeed, many people have tripped over pronunciation!
But it’s easy if you start by saying intimacy a couple times: “Intimacy… Intimacy…” Now simply say “auth” beforehand. “Auth intimacy… Authintimacy”!
Now let’s talk about its meaning…
Authintimacy = Authenticity + Intimacy
Love expert Joanna Shakti, and most likely others, write that authenticity and intimacy are synonymous. I gently yet firmly challenge that notion — principally around “directionality”:
- Authenticity is outward from me and my heart —
instead of hiding, I show myself vulnerably. - Intimacy is inward, into me, having confidence/trust that
another person will add to my life and accept me.
When we consider that it is possible to be authentic without being open to intimacy from another — and to allow/invite intimacy without being truly authentic, it is worth examining each combination of these attributes…
Anytime we’re not in the lower left quadrant, we must have done some good work on ourselves.
Now as we move to the right (blue quadrant) where we’ve met our shadow, recognized our triggers, and more but still can’t truly let another person in — this is a “walled off” experience.
Or, moving “caddy corner” (red quadrant) where we haven’t done that inner work, but we desperately want someone to come in know us when we haven’t truly come to know ourself, this is a charade waiting to blow up.
True magic and beauty comes from courageously acknowledging our fears as well as our gifts and being fully present in the process of creating a new relationship (purple quadrant).
Comment in our more-trafficked FB group if you have additions or complementary ideas.
Inspired to learn more and grow around these ideas in your dating?
Then join us in the School For Love course, The Great Dating Reset: Cultivating Authintimacy for Spiritual Singles Over 40 !