We All Crave An Authentic Experience Of Intimacy. Though our hearts crave intimacy, though our minds understand our deep need for it, the self-revelation it requires is often too daunting a task. Complete and unrestrained sharing of self exposes the deepest human fear of being rejected for being ourselves. InThe Seven Levels of Intimacy,Matthew Kelly both acknowledges and calms our fears, while teaching us how to move beyond them to experience the power of true intimacy.Matthew reveals that each relationship is built upon a pattern of interaction. In the beginning stages, we rely on casual interactions, gaining familiarity by focusing on superficialities and facts. We grow closer and begin to share our opinions, learning to accept each other and embrace the growing relationship despite the difference in our experiences and viewpoints. Once our differences and opinions are shared and accepted, we feel safe enough to reveal our hopes, dreams, and feelings, developing trust. With this trust, we open ourselves and are able to share our legitimate needs, becoming liberated from carrying the burden of our real needs alone. At last, we are deeply intimate and both willing and able to reveal our deepest fears. We are beyond judgment and feel trust and acceptance. By moving through and building upon each level of intimacy, we find comfort and gain trust in our partners and ourselves until, by developing and deepening our intimacy within each level, we are able to fully open ourselves, finally opening to the possibility of truly being loved. It is through mastering the seven levels of intimacy that we will break through to fully experiencing love, commitment, trust, and happiness.The Seven Levels of Intimacyis a brilliant and practical guide to creating and sustaining intimacy, whether you are looking for a deeper sense of connection with your spouse, looking for more fulfillment in your relationship with your boyfriend or girlfriend, trying to improve your relationships with your children, or simply wondering what you should be looking for in a partner.With profound insight and the use of powerful, everyday examples, Matthew Kelly explains how we can nurture the intimacy in our relationships.The Seven Levels of Intimacyredefines how we view our interactions with others. This new understanding leads us to successfully create the strong connections, deep joy, and lasting bonds that we all long for.

Are you afraid of or unable to create intimacy or closeness with your intimate partner? Do you find that sometimes you create emotional, communicative, or even physical distance from that special someone in your life, even when, deep down, you really don't want to? If so, you share the relationship style psychologists refer to as the distancer. Distancers are often afraid of being engulfed or controlled by their partners. They fear rejection, vulnerability, and dependence. Sadly, they also tend to have short and unhappy relationships. If you want to stop running from love in your life, this book offers a simple, step-by-step approach you can use to move beyond your fear of intimacy and start building strong and lasting relationships. The exercises and self-evaluations in the book will help you become aware of how you operate in romantic relationships. You'll review and reassess your relationship patterns, deciding what changes you want to make in future relationships. Then you'll commit to actions that can make it happen.

What is the key to strengthening your marriage and all the relationships in your life? In this revealing book, Douglas Weiss explains seven love agreements that will not only change the way you look at yourself but will also help you uncover new levels of intimacy in your relationships. You can experience the power of agreement in these areas: Faithfulness Patience Forgiveness Celebration Service Respect Kindness One of the church's premier relationship experts, Weiss will show you the difference between constructive and destructive agreements, how to stop playing roles, the importance of giving and serving others, and so much more.

Emotions link our feelings, thoughts, and conditioning at multiple levels, but they may remain a largely untapped source of strength, freedom, and connection. The capacity to be intimate with all our emotions, teaches Robert Augustus Masters, is essential for creating fulfilling relationships and living with awareness, love, and integrity. With Emotional Intimacy, this respected therapist and author invites us to explore: How to deepen our emotional literacy and become intimate with all our emotionsThe nature of emotional disconnection and what to do about itHow to identify our emotions, fully experience them, and skillfully express themIlluminating, resolving, and healing old emotional woundsGender differences in emotional intimacy and expressionSteps for bringing greater emotional intimacy and depth into our relationshipsIn-depth guidance for those facing depression, anxiety, and shameWhy "blowing off steam" may make us feel worse, and the nature of healthy catharsisThe difference between anger and aggression, shame and guilt, jealousy and envyIndividual chapters for fully engaging with fear, anger, joy, jealousy, shame, grief, guilt, awe, and the full spectrum of our emotions There are no negative or unwholesome emotions—only negative or harmful things we do with them. Through real life examples, exercises, and an abundance of key insights, Masters provides a lucid guide for reclaiming our emotions, relating to them skillfully, and turning them into allies—to enrich and deepen our lives.

Is it really possible to rekindle the spark and restore the "like-new" connection in your marriage?Can you strengthen your bond, grow together, and enjoy deeper levels of love and intimacy that rival your newlywed days? And can you do any or all of that without having to digest mountains of self-help books, or pouring your hearts out to a total stranger in endless counseling sessions?Yes, it is possible-and as you read, you'll see how easy it can be!Authors Alisa and Tony DiLorenzo are passionate about helping couples create their own extraordinary marriage. They do this through books, coaching, and through their #1 marriage podcast, "The ONE Extraordinary Marriage Show" where they connect with an audience of over 50,000 listeners around the world.Their newest book, The 6 Pillars of Intimacy: The Secret to an Extraordinary Marriage, is based on their personal experience and from seeing the marriages of countless people they have worked with improve. They have learned some hard knock life lessons and discovered key principles that have kept their marriage (and sex life) alive and flourishing? and they did it together. Let them do the same for you!Inside, you'll discover:- The six intimacies (pillars), and how to use them.- That, if the pillars are solid and straight, they will keep your marriage thriving and ensure everything goes along smoothly, and how to do this.- How, if the pillars become damaged, your marriage can start to collapse.- The author's real-life story, experience, and relationship struggles.- And more.Even the best marriages can have cracks in their relationships. The difference is that extraordinary couples take action when they see those cracks happening.Get The 6 Pillars of Intimacy today to experience the extraordinary marriage you desire and deserve.

The "New York Times" bestselling author of "The Rhythm of Life" brings a timely approach to the subject of relationships, revealing a seven-level process that creates strong bonds, deep contentment, and lasting connection.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Over a million copies sold! “An eminently practical guide to an emotionally intelligent—and long-lasting—marriage.”—Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work has revolutionized the way we understand, repair, and strengthen marriages. John Gottman’s unprecedented study of couples over a period of years has allowed him to observe the habits that can make—and break—a marriage. Here is the culmination of that work: the seven principles that guide couples on a path toward a harmonious and long-lasting relationship. Straightforward yet profound, these principles teach partners new approaches for resolving conflicts, creating new common ground, and achieving greater levels of intimacy. Gottman offers strategies and resources to help couples collaborate more effectively to resolve any problem, whether dealing with issues related to sex, money, religion, work, family, or anything else. Packed with new exercises and the latest research out of the esteemed Gottman Institute, this revised edition of The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work is the definitive guide for anyone who wants their relationship to attain its highest potential.