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Intimacy is a hot and often difficult topic. It implies letting someone else get close to us to see all our secrets and hidden places. An intimate relationship means that we are willing to let go of our defenses and be seen by another for who we are, including all of our vulnerabilities and weaknesses -- into me you see -- which can be terrifying.

Intimacy can cause fear, apprehension, even a shutdown of feelings. Rather than exploring the longed-for togetherness, it can all get too overwhelming, causing us to retreat back into our separate corners, hesitant to reach out again. Being seen so closely can feel as if we are totally exposed with nowhere to hide. So then we resist and put up an invisible wall in an attempt to protect ourselves from such exposure, or from rejection and hurt. However, as much as this wall may protect us, it also shuts us off from our own feelings.

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One of the great benefits of a loving relationship is that it provides a safe space for all of these fears that have never before seen the light of day to be acknowledged, known, and held. In other words, love brings up everything that isn't love. This is especially true as a relationship enters into a deepening familiarity. In the midst of all the good stuff, past hurt, insecurity, or self-doubt can emerge, straining a relationship. Yet moments like this are an invitation to embrace ourselves and breathe into the fearful places so that we can come defenseless into a relationship.

Deb: "Ed and I thought that we had nothing to hide from each other, but as trust grew it exposed all those corners where we hadn't looked. Pain that had happened years previously was suddenly alive again, creating an emotional roller coaster. My father was abusive, had a big temper and lost it very easily. Somewhere inside, as I grew up, I unconsciously put my own anger on hold. My first marriage ended when my husband would get angry. At first, I refused to respond, but one day I couldn't control myself any longer. The sight of my own anger freaked me out, and that was it, I was gone. When I married Ed, I discovered that I had a whole storeroom of anger locked away inside, but now I was able to face it for the first time. He gave me permission to be angry; he was willing to receive it. I could release it without fear of recrimination."

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Ed: "My mother died when I was 5 days old. Growing up I always felt alone, that no one could really love me, no one knew me. I didn't know how to get close to someone so I learned to cover it up by being an extrovert. I was voted one of the most popular at school and won all the dance contests. But I lived behind a facade. I even became a monk, not realizing it was a way of protecting myself from letting anyone get too close. All that to hide how fearful I was! As Deb and I grew closer, there were many moments when I would feel so exposed, as if I were the least lovable person in the world, and I would wonder how she could possibly love me. That someone I loved could truly love me back was immensely liberating."

If we look at the word more closely, intimacy also implies getting to know ourselves more deeply -- into me I see. It suggests that the more we know ourselves the less need there is to hold back or have secrets, we can be open and accepting of our faults. This enables us to be much closer to someone else. When we can make friends with ourselves we can make friends with others.

Intimacy is not something that can be forced or pulled out of a hat; it comes through the letting go of resistance, through softening and opening to ourselves and to each other. This doesn't mean we have to be perfect before we step into intimacy -- the monsters don't just pack up and move out overnight -- but simply that who we are in this moment is open and willing to share.

Meditation and Intimacy
Meditation enables us to accept discomfort instead of trying to smooth over or deny the bumps. We can accept embarrassment and shame, gently embracing whatever is there. Accepting ourselves as we are is immensely liberating. As one of our teachers said, "never be embarrassed by yourself."

Accepting and Loving Myself!
Find a comfortable place to sit with your back straight and close your eyes. Become aware of your breath. Silently repeat three times: "I am aware that I am breathing." Your breath is your best friend ... the closer you are to your breath, the greater the feeling of inner peace. Now bring awareness to your physical body. Silently repeat three times: "I am aware of the whole of my body." Visualize your body as if it were a temple ... you live in this temple your whole life... know that your body is a blessing, a great gift.

Now focus awareness to the center of your heart ... breathe into this space, into your heartspace ... your heart is like a beautiful flower opening in the sun. Silently repeat three times: "I am aware of my heart opening." Your life is a gift to be cherished ... treasure yourself always. Silently repeat: "My breath is my friend ... my body is my temple ... my heart is open and loving." When you are ready, take a deep breath and open your eyes.

How do you feel when someone sees you for who you are? Do comment below. You can receive notice of our blogs every Tuesday by checking Become a Fan at the top.

You can learn more in our award-winning book: BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You and the World, or from our three meditation CD's.

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Enjoy our Friday weekly blogs on Oprah.com/spirit

Our latest book won the 2010 Nautilus Gold Book Award: BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You And The World, forewords by the Dalai Lama and Robert Thurman, with contributors Marianne Williamson, astronaut Edgar Mitchell, Jane Fonda, and others.

Our 3 meditation CD's: Metta-Loving kindness and Forgiveness; Samadhi-Breath Awareness and Insight; and Yoga Nidra-Inner Conscious Relaxation, are available at: www.EdandDebShapiro.com

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