Human Touch
Human touch is a basic need, we all have it. Touch is so important that babies can die without it. In fact, research has shown that new born babies may need touch, just as much as they need food.
Even as grownups, we all need touch to live healthy lives. Think about the simple act of hugging someone and how good that feels, especially if we haven’t received a good hug in a long time. Look at the story of Amma, the Hindu saint and spiritual leader with millions of followers around the world.
People travel thousands of miles to get a hug from Amma. A hug from a loving friend or family member may be just as effective. If none of those are available, you can always get a massage from your local massage therapists.
We are unfortunate to live in a world where physical contact is taboo. Most people are afraid of touch. It doesn’t matter if it is from a professional, a friend, a stranger, or our family members. We are resistant to touch. Most people are concerned, in one way or another, with sexual harassment and inappropriate touch. More than anything though, we are afraid of giving and receiving love, we are afraid of feeling that divine connection.
Most people fear being seen. We are afraid to cry in public, and afraid to ask for what we want and need. The vast majority of people won’t ask for touch when they need it. Many of them have serious sexual trauma. There are those who have been raped, abused and neglected, and at the same time, we all need touch, and most of us crave it. That is why porn and prostitution are multi-billion dollar industries.
People will pay thousands of dollars for a few hours of physical contact with another human. The sad part is that we could all be giving that gift to each other, for free. No need to be sexual, or even sensual, loving care could be more than enough. Examples of safe avenues to share platonic touch include massage, snuggling, cuddling and Pink Tantra.
As a massage therapist with six years of experience, I am well aware of the importance and power of touch. The simple act of touching someone can alter their mood, and their state of mind.
It can take just a few seconds, to calm someone, by gently placing your hands on them. We don’t necessarily need a thousand hours of training, a hug can do wonders for someone in pain. Even a simple palm on the shoulder can have healing effects and make someone feel happier, loved and supported.
We can eat all the fruit we want, but we’ll always feel somewhat empty, without a positive dose of human touch and connection. Many people use food to fill up their need for human touch. These people use the sensual gratification their taste buds get from food, to mask the unfulfilled need for touch that their skin is not receiving.
As we go deeper into raw vegan and fruit based diets, our body, mind, heart, and spirit will continue to cleanse. We must open up to Mother Nature and humanity. We have to remember the beauty, in giving and receiving touch.
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Acknowledgments
