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Intimacy, A Path Toward Spirituality

Relationships as a spiritual path.

Shame
How Shame Disconnects Us From Ourselves

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on November 2, 2024

Shame is a painful emotion that often hides out in the shadows. It can stifle our life energy, leave us with a vague discontent, and prevent us from being all that we can be.

Shame is a painful emotion that often hides out in the shadows. It can stifle our life energy, leave us with a vague discontent, and prevent us from being all that we can be.

Empathy
Awakening to Our Interconnectedness

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on October 30, 2024

Personal Perspective: Underlying the divisiveness in society is a lack of connection with ourselves and a failure to empathize.

Personal Perspective: Underlying the divisiveness in society is a lack of connection with ourselves and a failure to empathize.

Attention
4 Tips for Talking So People Will Listen

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on May 19, 2024

There is more to good communication than using "I-statements," yet little has been written about other aspects of speaking that can help us get heard and connect.

There is more to good communication than using "I-statements," yet little has been written about other aspects of speaking that can help us get heard and connect.

Relationships
3 Keys to a More Potent Intimacy

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on April 2, 2024

We want relationships that are intimate and connected, but how do we create them? Three practices can help create the emotional and sexual intimacy we desire.

We want relationships that are intimate and connected, but how do we create them? Three practices can help create the emotional and sexual intimacy we desire.

Body Image
3 Qualities That Really Make Us Beautiful

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on February 29, 2024

We're conditioned to pursue external beauty to gain the rewards of love and acceptance. But this old operating system may not deliver the goods we desire.

We're conditioned to pursue external beauty to gain the rewards of love and acceptance. But this old operating system may not deliver the goods we desire.

Relationships
Your Perfect Right to Be Wrong

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on December 4, 2023

We are conditioned to believe we need to be right about everything. A shame-driven perfectionism is destructive to our lives, our relationships, and even our politics.

We are conditioned to believe we need to be right about everything. A shame-driven perfectionism is destructive to our lives, our relationships, and even our politics.

Anxiety
Unwinding From Worry

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on November 5, 2023

Worrying is common to all of us. This post offers steps toward breaking the cycle of worry so that we might live a more fulfilling life.

Worrying is common to all of us. This post offers steps toward breaking the cycle of worry so that we might live a more fulfilling life.

Authenticity
What Do Clothes Have to Do With It?

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on October 2, 2023

Being comfortable is more important than wearing clothing that constricts us. Rather than live up to some image of how we think we need to be, we can be happier if we're authentic.

Being comfortable is more important than wearing clothing that constricts us. Rather than live up to some image of how we think we need to be, we can be happier if we're authentic.

Self-Talk
Are You Too Hard on Yourself?

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on July 7, 2023

Our inner critic is formed from internalizing criticism from others. This article explores replacing negative self-talk with a more compassionate dialogue.

Our inner critic is formed from internalizing criticism from others. This article explores replacing negative self-talk with a more compassionate dialogue.

Embarrassment
What It Really Means to Be Yourself

John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT on May 8, 2023

Being authentic is key to experiencing love and intimacy. Shame, however, erodes our capacity to be authentic with ourselves and others.

Being authentic is key to experiencing love and intimacy. Shame, however, erodes our capacity to be authentic with ourselves and others.