Our bodies are covered with sensory receptors commonly called the peripheral nervous system. This system stimulates complex communication between the central nervous system and the brain via brain chemicals and neurohormones. Physiologically, touch can quicken a heartbeat or slow it down. It can make us tremble in fear, secret expectation or deep-seated desire. Touch can be all consuming or something to be avoided at all costs.
Touch can be the vehicle to spiritual planes of the heart and soul or into our darkest fears.
Unlike so many other things in our lives, we are left to learn as best we can how to maximize our experience of touch. Our ethnic background, religious belief and upbringing, even our physical, spiritual and emotional health play a role. Our current perception of touch is held captive to our past experiences, both positive and negative. Since science clearly demonstrates that negative experiences are more powerful than positive ones for most of us, the experiences are internalized and become our reference point in all our intimate exchanges. Unfortunately, we may never come to truly appreciate the power of touch and all the wonderful gifts and benefits we can reap when we learn and embrace one of our most basic and intuitive needs.