To put it simply, opposites attract , and this attraction tells us something of the common vocation of every human being to serve God in relatedness with others. The appropriate balance of separateness and connectedness in our lives is what we usually refer to as intimacy. It is the mid-point between two extremes. One extreme is the extreme of separateness, when I am so absorbed in myself and my own fears that I cannot relate comfortably with others. The other extreme is the extreme of connectedness, when I am so totally wrapped up in someone else that I lose touch with my own real identity.
Personal space is marked by boundaries.
These can be understood as physical or emotional. They equally have to do with what we reveal about ourselves, and what we expect others to reveal about themselves. Be close to people, but not too close. Don't build barriers between yourself and others, but know what your boundaries are, and try to discover and respect the boundaries of others. His letters are full of references to the men and women who, in different places, were his companions and fellow workers.