This piece is the perfect example of why you are such a great writer. You took this 5 minute event (which I never would have thought to write about) and broke it down in a way that made me wish it was an entire book.
Wow. I think the only time I've done this staring into each others' eyes thing was post-36 questions, where it was staring for just two minutes I think? Five is quite a long time. And you've written about that experience so vividly that it made me uncomfortable and intimidated to stare into someone's eyes that deeply and that intently.
I want to do this exercise! I love how you chronicle this experience. Eye contact makes me uncomfortable— and admitting it makes me uncomfortable— but it was a relief to read your admission. 💚
I'm so happy you wrote about this! Made me remember when I did this exercise at a retreat organized by my high school, in this case led by Jesuit priest. Around 18 years ago and I also still remember it to this day as such a powerful experience. Yes, you capture it perfectly, so simple yet understandably deep, we're looking into the depth of the other person in the end, and that's vulnerable and uncomfortable and memorable.
The part about not talking again afterwards reminds of the ending of Y Tu Mamá También, and makes me realize that extremely uncomfortable, shared experiences, will either unite or separate you forever.
Also, "ex-punk Buddhist"?!? Sounds like an amazing professor!
lemme just say that hippies do this exercise so much that I think I have cptsd from it. Joking aside though, I can find it to be both exhilarating and painful to feel so seen. Leaves me with a lot of questions also!
I love this. I had a similar experience the first time I did it in a meditation program. It's funny because the exercise is easier for me now than it is to look at people in regular conversation haha.
...and this is why the godz gave us sunglasses...
Ooh this tingled my interest so much.
This piece is the perfect example of why you are such a great writer. You took this 5 minute event (which I never would have thought to write about) and broke it down in a way that made me wish it was an entire book.
Wow. I think the only time I've done this staring into each others' eyes thing was post-36 questions, where it was staring for just two minutes I think? Five is quite a long time. And you've written about that experience so vividly that it made me uncomfortable and intimidated to stare into someone's eyes that deeply and that intently.
I want to do this exercise! I love how you chronicle this experience. Eye contact makes me uncomfortable— and admitting it makes me uncomfortable— but it was a relief to read your admission. 💚
I love how well your describe the weird sensations of that five minutes! Makes me want to know if that class is still available to try it out myself 🤣
I'm so happy you wrote about this! Made me remember when I did this exercise at a retreat organized by my high school, in this case led by Jesuit priest. Around 18 years ago and I also still remember it to this day as such a powerful experience. Yes, you capture it perfectly, so simple yet understandably deep, we're looking into the depth of the other person in the end, and that's vulnerable and uncomfortable and memorable.
The part about not talking again afterwards reminds of the ending of Y Tu Mamá También, and makes me realize that extremely uncomfortable, shared experiences, will either unite or separate you forever.
Also, "ex-punk Buddhist"?!? Sounds like an amazing professor!
lemme just say that hippies do this exercise so much that I think I have cptsd from it. Joking aside though, I can find it to be both exhilarating and painful to feel so seen. Leaves me with a lot of questions also!
Oh yeah we did the same exercise in a neuroscience class once! I left with good feelings for my partner though we haven’t stayed in touch.
what I do remember is how after that day, we never spoke again. I have not done this exercise yet. But I found this sentence most intriguing.
what I do remember is how after that day, we never spoke again. I have not done this exercise yet. But I found this sentence most intriguing.
I love this. I had a similar experience the first time I did it in a meditation program. It's funny because the exercise is easier for me now than it is to look at people in regular conversation haha.