Beginnings and Endings

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.
'Closing Time' - Semisonic

Happy New Year!

A new year is that time on the calendar when we mark endings and beginnings. Most of the time we're happy to get rid of the old and bring on the new. We get the opportunity to reset our life.

I've been aware lately that these resets are like chapters in a novel. One story line ends and another begins. The calendar is one way that we mark chapters; however, our lives also have chapters that are independent from the calendar.

I'm going through one of those chapter transitions now. My life seems to be on a seven year chapter schedule and it's been seven years since the last chapter (leaving the corporate world and setting off on my oen path).

Parts of my life are all turned upside down now. I'm excited about where things are headed and also a bit scared. I'm sad over things that are ending or changing yet aware of the need for these changes. But throughout all of these transitions I'm very aware that this is the process of being alive. Living things are constantly changing and evolving.

I'm aware of the need for attention to self care during these life transitions. Last night (New Year's Day) I needed to spend some quiet contemplative time alone after an amazing New Year's celebration. This alone time was just what I needed. I realized the importance of listening to what I needed and taking the steps to take care of me. For many of us, taking care of ourselves can be challenging.

In the meantime I continuue to breathe. When I'm aware of my breath, I can listen to my body. Inhale slowly... exhale being aware of the breath moving out of your body. Just spending a short time focusing on your breath can shift awareness. It's also a great way of taking care of yourself!

Mindful Self Loving

After a short hiatus, Mindful Self Loving is back on Monday January 16! We're introducing some changes and keeping some things the same. First of all in order to give plenty of time to arrive, we'll be gathering 30 minutes later. The doors will open at 6:30 and we'll begin at 7:00. The structure will change a bit too while also keeping the space sacred for safe, joyful exploration of self love.

This is not a sex party – it is an intentional solo experience. While watching and consensual touching is appropriate, coupling off or grouping up isn’t appropriate. This is a space to enjoy your body and witness and experience other men doing the same. There’s no need to shop around looking for someone to partner up with. We can learn that we are the source of our own erotic energy and experience generating that energy with within. When we realize that we generate our own erotic energy, we can transform our relationships and connections and learn to dance with others while playing with this energy.

There's more infomation about the event on the Mindful Self Loving page. I look forward to helping men continue deepening our solo erotic practices and exploring how to use this energy to heal the relationship we all have with ourselves.

Enjoy the new beginning!

Ed