Connecting to desire

How do you connect to the voice of your desire? Amidst the noise of the world, it’s easy to lose track of its whisper.

For me, attuning to desire is an ongoing practice. Sometimes its call is undeniably clear, other times it’s much more subtle.

When I feel disconnected from desire, there are 6 things I always return to to restore my hearing. You can try them too:

1. Tell your desire, “I’m willing to hear you”. Listen for the most subtle whispers.

2. Pay attention to your body’s sensations. What creates openness, heat, light, tingling?

Remember, the sensation of desire is sometimes uncomfortable, especially if it’s one that’s going to disrupt your homeostasis.

3. Discern between desires & preferences. Desires may feel inconvenient, uncomfortable, evenscary. I.e. I prefer for things to be easy, but I desire them to be true.

4. Write desire lists, always including a few that are ‘irrational’. Start with writing 10 desires a day - big or small. Build up to 100.

Remember, these are desires, not commitments.

5. Allow for the tension of longing. Give desire room to brew without leaping to a plan for action. Let it stir your soul before attempting to relieve or discard it.

6. Follow the breadcrumbs. Start with a small or uncertain desire and follow it to see where it leads. Remember, you can always change direction!

This isn’t a definitive list. Attuning to desire is an art, not a science.