To give a massage is an act of caring, to physically help someone. Contrary to myth, massage is a healing art and not an advanced sexual technique. Naturally, when practiced by lovers, it can be a beautiful extension of sexuality.
When receiving a good massage you fall into a mental-physical state difficult to describe, a special room locked and hidden away, a space that is most likely to be experienced by those meditating on a daily basis. It is a sacred gift, connecting the receiver to his own existence. It is true nowadays in different sciences that we are our body. Our perception and understanding of the outside world, the emotions, feelings, thoughts begin and end within this mass, which is our being. Through touch the receiver gets in contact with parts of the body possible long forgotten, possible in pain, traumatized or just sensitive and re-establishes the communication and connection.
Touch is a way of communicating, getting in contact with what needs to be ‘seen’ and not only. Therefore, the receiver being in this open space let things unfold, by observing, sensing and if ready letting go of what stands in between, sometimes consciously, but most of the time unconsciously. Certainly, there are times that receiver is reluctant or not ready to let go of the pain, to let go of what really hurts, and this is one of the reason why therapists ask for more time with the specific body. It takes time to heal, ‘like it takes time to see a friend’.
Trust, empathy and respect of mutual physical existence can be expressed with a fullness never matched by words. In its essence massage is something simple, it makes us more whole, more fully ourselves, while this stands true for both parties involved. It is a kind of meditation for both participants.
Inspired by George Downing, “The Massage Book”
