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Cheers Sexy People!
Two months ago, I was on an epic and awesome three week-long journey with my sweetie to California and Hawaii. I can’t tell you how grateful I was for that experience all around, both to travel for that length of time with my beloved, and also to visit friends, colleagues and clients on the opposite side of the country! I was able to gather some Loving Without Boundaries podcast interviews, spend the afternoon with one of my relationship coaching clients – ironically when the power went out in San Francisco in a freak accident – and have many other adventures! I’m still going through the photos and enjoying all of the memories and big takeaways. Part of the journey, we found ourselves in Las Vegas while my love did a relay race with some colleagues. His best friend – whom I had the honor and pleasure of finally meeting – and I volunteered to help with the race. Even though we didn’t realize the number of hours we were actually signed on for as well as the crazy-ass assignment we were “volun-told” we would be doing, we ended up having an epic and memorable time assisting all of the race participants as we shepherded them on their journey running through the dessert. Just awesome!
Once the reason we ventured to Las Vegas was behind us, we decided to go have some well-deserved fun! At my suggestion, one exciting adventure we shared together was visiting the “Real Bodies” exhibit at Bally’s! I had always wanted to see this exhibit, and not because of the famed scene in one of the newer Daniel Craig (ooooh is he hot!) James Bond movies, but also because I fucking love science, bitches! It’s fascinating!
The exhibit was truly extraordinary and I highly recommend you go see it if it comes through your town or if you find yourself in Las Vegas. But what I didn’t expect was some of the profound concepts they touched on, such as the evolution of love, as well as the origin and mysteriousness of the human mind. I took pics of some of the exhibit panels with the thought-provoking passages shared, and transcribed them for you here. I hope that you find something interesting to take you into the weekend. Without further ado…
For decades the Pont des Arts in Paris was covered in locks by couples pledging their love to one another. Continuing that tradition, we invite you to place your lock here with someone you love.
The Evolution of Love
Per the rules of Love, each species is required to reproduce in order to ensure its survival. For most organisms, this basic requirement is met in basic ways – reproduce and move on. For humans throughout history, however, an elaborate series of mating rituals have evolved to ensure we stay on the planet.
For humans, certain elements of biological attraction are believed to be hard wired from our time as primates. Symmetry of the face, a certain waist to hip ratio, and scent are powerful elements in those “love at first sight” immediate attractions: but they come to us from a time when we were first learning to walk on two feet. Physical attraction among the earliest humans indicated (unbeknownst to them) health genes that were most likely to produce offspring that would survive.
Love and commitment are not just constructs of today’s greeting card, or Hollywood machine either. Romantic love stemmed from the ingrained necessity to protect one’s mate – partnering, which later turned into commitment, provided offspring with the best chance of survival.
On Love
There is a spark of recognition. The eyes are familiar to you and you are drawn to them. It goes beyond attraction, beyond desire — these are ever present, essential to the species, but aren’t important in this eternal moment. Rather, it’s an opening, an invitation. “I have a place for you,” it says, “for you above all others.” And, it asks, “Will you join me?” Thus begins a journey of connection and separation, of celebrations and pitfalls, of communication in silent glances and smirks, of deep warmth even on the coldest nights. Alone, we are a heap of bone and blood, 11 atoms furiously struggling to stay assembled; but here, wrapped in the mystery of this connection, hunger and poverty fall away — for here, we are truly known.
The Mind
Since ancient physicians began to study the human body, they have created a distinction between Brain and Mind, and this dichotomy still exists today. The Brain is a physical organ: it can be seen, dissected, and observed. The Mind, however – a collection of our memories, dreams, hopes, and anxieties — cannot be found in any examination or dissection.
Today, we scan the brain with sophisticated imaging devices, we monitor its electrical activity and trace the paths of its complex neural networks, we even divide up parts of the brain to point them to specific activities having to do with biological function, speech, and behavior. Yet, despite all our physical mapping of the Brain, we have yet to understand how all of its electro-chemical activity leads to consciousness – the seat of the Mind.
Our consciousness – a sense of self, of purpose, of meaning – is not located in one region of the Brain, yet it is ruled by the Brain’s power. It is as though all those Brain regions and their respective parts conjoin to become something greater than a whole. They transcend the physical piece of the body called Brain to become that mysterious individual knows as You.
Be Strong
… It appears that strength in our cultural heritage has never been merely associated with muscles. It also refers to what is possible (Greek), and older (German), and brave (Old English). Then, as today, strength has always carried multiple meanings: it is one word fit for the body, mind, personality, and soul.
What type of strength do you have within you?
Awesome, just awesome! Of course some of the passages are written with monogamy in mind. No matter though, as there are many takeaways regardless of the framework the author was coming from. At Loving Without Boundaries, we celebrate all love. Love and strength of any kind truly are beautiful and worth celebrating. So… I ask you: what type of strength do you have within you?
Wishing you peace, love and happiness!
(and thrilling, fun sex too!)
Kitty
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Hi Kitty,
I disagree that the regions of the brain conjoin to make something (the mind) greater than the whole. I think that the mind is the whole of everything, and it has created the brain (and everything else) to suit its own purposes.
I have the strength to recognize that I am currently experiencing some problems, and to take the needed steps to handle them. I also have the strength to love as many people as I need to have in my life.
Thank you for this very good article.
♥Jim
Hello Jim! Always great to hear from you! Thank you so much for adding your thoughts and insights here.
LOVE THIS:
“I have the strength to recognize that I am currently experiencing some problems, and to take the needed steps to handle them. I also have the strength to love as many people as I need to have in my life.”
So so beautiful and gorgeous thinking. I love your soul and your heart. You rock, Jim! I am sending good vibes and good thoughts your way to handle the problems that you are working on. One quote that helps me in hard times: “All experiences are opportunities for growth.” Feel free to reach out if I can help in any way.
You are most welcome, Jim! It is my pleasure to serve! xoxo