tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52749456731044662692011-12-02T14:13:39.082-08:00This blog offers a personal glimpse into the heart and mind of <b><a href="http://IntimacyRetreats.com/bio.htm">Diana Daffner</a></b> ~ leader of Intimacy Retreats, author of Tantric Sex for Busy Couples, relationship coach and inspirational speaker. Into-Me-See = Intimacy, a state of being seen, being connected. I see you, you see me. Together, in this moment, we recognize our connection with each other and All That Is.Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.comBlogger641100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-45129372802234699662011-12-02T12:40:00.000-08:002011-12-02T14:13:39.177-08:00

I just discovered that within the word spiritual is the word RITUAL. Why didn't I ever see that before? "Ritual" is on my mind today because I received a newsletter from Sarasota writer & collage artist, Linda Maree, in which she explained the difference between ritual and habit. Of course, I immediately resonated with that. After all, what transforms sexual activity into "sacred sexuality" is

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-81363164988930431812011-09-08T15:11:00.000-07:002011-09-08T15:24:44.276-07:00

What an unbelievably wonderful holiday Richard and I have just had! Following the Pacific Northwest Intimacy Retreat, we took off to visit a friend on Salt Spring Island, one of the beautiful Gulf Islands in Canada's British Columbia. Here I am with my flute at the top of Mount Maxwell. We also stayed in Tofino - at Middle Beach Resort, which I whole-heartedly recommend. I spent a full day simply

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-13512991543853098612011-08-16T20:32:00.005-07:002011-08-16T21:13:58.789-07:00

I love "Focusing" - a somewhat formal method of getting in touch with one's inner truth. A "focusing partner" holds a space for you while you verbally, and in a sense-feeling way, deepen your relationship with yourself. A focusing partner provides brief reflections of your journey, neither adding to it or deflecting it away from you. Very powerful! A trained focusing partner is able to provide

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-6761072616209283252011-07-06T08:50:00.000-07:002011-07-06T08:56:25.161-07:00

What is a kiss? Why this, as some approve:The sure sweet cement, glue and lime of love.~ Robert HerrickToday is... Kissing Day! Started in Great Britain but now celebrated worldwide, Kissing Day reminds us of the importance of kissing. Kissing is really good for you - and your relationship. So today - and everyday, of course - remember to kiss, kiss, kiss!+ Kissing increases oxytocin, the

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-31248963187515587602011-04-19T06:38:00.001-07:002011-04-19T07:45:56.125-07:00

We had 18 people here last night! I created a mini-Haggadah that had ceremony, tradition, spiritual significance and education. Blessings began rather unconventionally, by expanding the naming of the One so that It is not gender-based:Baruch Atah Adonai, Shekhina, Ruach Ha'Olam...On the traditional side, we sang traditional songs and I made matzoh balls (from a mix), and the charoses. This was

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-72731194090299403852011-04-11T19:29:00.000-07:002011-04-19T07:48:27.713-07:00

ABC Nightline has filmed a story about our workshops!!! Having the producer and film crew with us for a whole weekend was quite an adventure. We led the workshop as we always do and they stayed in the background. The participating couples were just amazing - so willing to help spread the word about Intimacy Retreats. Changing the world, one happy couple at a time! The show was supposed to air

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-61431807124935523532011-03-11T04:54:00.000-08:002011-03-11T04:58:20.155-08:00

Beyond Hormones: The Five Elements in Love, Sex & Spirituality Blog posted at http://www.intent.com/daffner/blog/beyond-hormones-five-elements-love-sex-spiritualityPosted by Diana DaffnerIntimacyRetreats.com

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-33711644233147860412011-02-23T14:48:00.000-08:002011-02-23T14:55:26.993-08:00

I am hosting a free online seminar that addresses relationship challenges caused by prostate disease, breast cancer & other serious illnesses. It will be led by Rabbi Ed Weinsberg, author of Conquer Prostate Cancer: How Medicine, Faith, Love and Sex Can Renew Your Life.It's taking place on Tuesday, March 1, 4 pm PST (7 pm EST) but registrants who cannot listen at that time can hear it later. He's

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-9120036162704670902011-02-11T11:56:00.000-08:002011-02-11T12:01:54.365-08:00

Our Intimacy Retreats are featured in today's USAToday newspaper, travel section! A version is also available online. What fun!Now Amazon is almost sold out of our book.. but we have them, you can order directly at www.IntimacyRetreats.com.♥ Diana

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-30736096169343481102010-12-03T08:54:00.001-08:002010-12-03T08:54:55.667-08:00

I'm wondering if there was ever a time when alexithymi­a was NOT the common state of much of humanity. Also wondering if it is really a disorder or maybe simply a different, non-feelin­g-based way of experienci­ng (or not experienci­ng!) life. In any case, tapping into and appreciati­ng body wisdom and learning how to notice, express and recognize feelings and energy flow in our bodies and others

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-47789991533269206632010-11-16T11:22:00.001-08:002010-11-16T11:22:41.118-08:00

Great article. In my own writing, I often refer to "Love with a capital L" - although my publisher refused to use the capital L in our book because he couldn't justify it grammatically! Whether or not we connect such an experience with the divine, and however we interpret that, doesn't matter. What matters is the experience itself. To share such moments with our significant other is to enter into

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-15394672150135994712010-11-15T09:07:00.001-08:002010-11-16T10:48:10.598-08:00

Diana Daffner commented on this article:During the "Falling in Love" stage of a relationship, we probably experience more unconditional and non-judgmental love than at any other time of our lives. Of course, if we let ourselves be blindsided by our feelings of love, we might miss some conditions and necessary assessments that would help us make a better mate selection. However, if we've chosen

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-85284652505257230572010-11-07T02:56:00.001-08:002010-11-07T03:18:50.349-08:00

Richard and I just celebrated our 25 years of marriage with an amazing renewal ceremony at the EcoTulum resort on Tulum Beach, in Mexico. This is the romantic location of our winter Intimacy Retreats, on the Riviera Maya, along the Yucatan coast of the Caribbean Sea.Since I myself perform both weddings and vow renewals, this experience has given me more insight into the power of such ritual. I

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-15456646802060355202010-09-23T11:56:00.000-07:002010-09-23T12:04:42.946-07:00

Well, maybe you didn't ask, but my last post - and our recent newsletter - mentioned that I was participating in an ancient ceremony/ritual without saying what it was. In case you are wondering, I experienced a mikveh (also spelled mikvah) which is a biblical immersion into water. It was a meaningful and powerfully sacred event. Note that although this ritual is most often associated with

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-45634684981037663792010-09-15T18:25:00.000-07:002010-09-15T18:30:36.758-07:00

From our newsletter: http://bit.ly/cL3Soa In our book, Richard and I share about how we honor our relationship, our love and our spirituality with a daily sexual meditation that we call Peaceful Passion. We have been more or less consistent with this wonderful, juicy connection for quite a few years now. But not today.Today is different because I have chosen to personally experience an ancient

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-25277903776948154812010-07-07T20:32:00.000-07:002010-07-07T21:22:43.892-07:00

When I visit Satya Winkelman's studio, she excitedly shows me her newest sculpture. "Isn't it fabulous?" she exclaims. That's not a question she is asking; it's an expression of exuberant delight! I have learned from Satya from that it is okay to toot your own horn, to let people know how you feel about your own creative endeavor. Earlier tonight I heard myself doing exactly that. I was telling

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-59118627893601588302010-06-21T14:06:00.000-07:002010-06-21T14:09:11.847-07:00

Excited to be invited to be a faciliator at the Womens Spiritual Leadership Teleconference..

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-84397329667261292612010-06-21T13:52:00.000-07:002010-06-21T14:04:08.545-07:00

A great blue heron ruffled its feathers, briefly landing in our yard today, during morning T’ai Chi Chih practice. I felt grateful for its visit, and for the Gulf of Mexico water, still flowing unsullied, as I write this, in the canal behind our home. I felt gratitude, as always, to Justin for having gifted the planet with TCC - which I have now practiced for over twenty years.One of my favorite

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-33526814114355435662010-06-12T13:38:00.000-07:002010-06-12T13:51:52.921-07:00

Contemporary Sexuality, the professional journal of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists has published a favorable review of my book, Tantric Sex for Busy Couples. "The book is easy to follow and offers hope of increased connection for couples." That indeed is what makes a relationship glow, isn't it? Increased connection. Of course, I wouldn't want to

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-68125686068208706822010-05-15T18:50:00.000-07:002010-05-15T19:47:02.983-07:00

Right now, if you could really see into me, you'd probably see dozens of unfinished to-do lists. Yes, I do mean that the lists themselves are unfinished, and so are many of the projects! Some get done though. Lots, actually. I was asked to write a blog post for Intent.com about weddings, and so I wrote "Private Time - Now and Forever."I was asked to send a flyer about the talk we're giving in

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-50987879434842780732010-04-14T12:10:00.001-07:002010-04-14T12:32:02.707-07:00

Communication with couples who are interested in our Intimacy Retreats is SO important. I just emailed a newsletter to 5,000 people! Wow, that is amazing to me! Of course, I think that most monthly newsletters go out at the beginning of the month.. and here it is mid-April already. Still, getting it done is an accomplishment I'm proud of. (Hope there weren't any typos or bad links.)And today, my

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-4510286417926676662010-03-26T10:43:00.001-07:002010-03-26T11:10:27.745-07:00

On Saturday, March 27, at 8:30pm local time, we are being asked to participate in EarthHour, a one-hour lights-out reminder of our global need for renewable energy sources. This is the fourth year of this event and it turns me on that billions of people and organizations will turn off their lights in a cascading effect around the planet. Imagine what that might look like from space! (Of course

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-52191403064993592802010-03-11T19:42:00.000-08:002010-03-11T19:48:09.190-08:00

From today's Intimacy Retreats newsletter....In the movie Avatar. a three-word phrase is used to acknowledge the true presence of another. The phrase is "I see you." How similar in feeling that is to "Namaste," the Sanskrit word we use at Intimacy Retreats when honoring our partner. Namaste translates as "bow," and indeed we do bow toward our beloved. The deeper meaning is even more significant.

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-29042433941405645032010-02-25T18:07:00.000-08:002010-03-07T19:50:16.049-08:00

Here is something that caught my attention and interest recently:A person with autism thinks in a totally different way than most of us do. Thinking typically implies the use of language to ponder, sort, consider and store information. Dr. Temple Gradin, a scientist and writer whose life is currently being portrayed on HBO, shows us that her autism allows her to think in pictures instead of words

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-60276818615233655412010-02-14T19:15:00.000-08:002010-02-14T20:16:51.769-08:00

I've been thinking lately about "discipline." It's going to be the topic of a teleclass panel I'm on, on Feb 23. My friend, author Susyn Reeve, of www.Self-Esteem-Experts.com, recently sent out, in her "daily inspiration" newsletter, a note about exercising her "discipline muscle."For so many couples (dare I say most?), a daily routine to connect with one's most beloved partner is a challenging

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-73399287793154901932010-01-05T21:15:00.000-08:002010-01-06T06:40:51.687-08:00

How wonderful to be in the company of mothers. Women who with their whole hearts - along with their bodies and bank accounts - are raising the children of the next generation. This group of moms, in particular, take their mothering quite seriously and gather together at meetings where they not only schmooze with one another but also take time to learn something new that will improve their lives

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-14356151420467893202009-12-06T21:30:00.001-08:002009-12-07T12:17:56.024-08:00

There's been so little time lately to write in this blog, originally intended as a place where I would write from my heart, revealing myself - thus the blog name, Into-Me-See. As a self-employed person, workshop leader and author, most of my writing is oriented toward letting the world know what I do, letting the world know that there is a way to be in love, to be in life, to be in relationship,

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-79425756101714466432009-11-25T01:18:00.000-08:002009-11-25T01:19:58.007-08:00

When one of our workshop participants said that her intention was to get back that feeling she felt during the “electric hugs” she used to share with her husband, something in me went “Yes!” I loved that image, an electric hug. Who wouldn’t want one? In a sense, that’s what Tantric sex is. Our bodies have bio-electric energy surging through them. When we get in touch with our own inner flow, and

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-23441195711259255732009-10-14T15:31:00.000-07:002009-10-14T15:41:19.602-07:00

The days and months keep flying by.. Are they being twittered away? Well, yes, I am getting used to expressing thoughts in 140 characters - often, really, exactly that number! Twitter is fast and fleeting but can develop a certain comforting rhythm. Twitter and commenting on other people's blogs both allow me to engage in my favorite dialog about topics such as intimacy, love, Tantra, and living

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-46132749704515992432009-10-05T14:37:00.001-07:002009-10-05T14:37:16.841-07:00

Great post, I find it facsinating that in the Tantric system, we celebrate the feminine as the active principle. While there are some similarities with the Chinese yin/yang approach, that's a major difference. Yin is used to describe some of the same feminine attributes, but is considered to be more quiet and receptive in relationship to the activity of yang. It is when we women most fully relax

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-49831406547312645972009-09-16T21:31:00.001-07:002009-09-17T17:30:06.914-07:00

Like you, perhaps, I am turned on by connecting. I enjoy the feeling that comes with connection - positive connection, that is. (There's probably a kind of connection that occurs in negative interactions, but that's not my style nor is it the feeling I enjoy...!) Today I experienced connection with strangers on Twitter and Facebook. I later learned that one of my not-personally-known-to-me "

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-33467218097236905402009-09-10T09:42:00.000-07:002009-09-10T10:36:38.314-07:00

September is here. There's been a shift from summer vacation to the start of school. Here in Florida, although it's still hot, the shift is noticeable: summer visitors are gone, winter tourists and residents haven't arrived yet. It's easier to get a parking spot at the beach, a seat at the movies and restaurants.Many people feel that cosmic shifts are happening. This week, 09-09-09 sparked a

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-56877527776846738482009-09-03T09:23:00.000-07:002009-09-03T09:34:10.207-07:00

When I invite gratitude into my life, there is an immediate and delicious softening around the edges of my ego. My heart opens. I breathe more fully. The muscles, tissues and cells of my body relax. My mind lets go of its incessant occupation with what isn't, and quietly eases into the reality of what is.The experience of gratitude is always here-and-now. I can give thanks, and feel thankful,

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-69364112551786087452009-08-23T06:43:00.000-07:002009-08-23T06:53:25.718-07:00

In a recent interview, the 18 year old daughter of musician Sting declared that her dad knows nothing about tantric sex. Some years ago a rumor had traveled the internet, that not only was Sting practicing tantric sex, he and his wife Trudie were doing for 8 hours at a time!My husband and I were already leading Intimacy Retreats and teaching couples about the benefits of tantric sex... but we

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-79116945417570634542009-08-15T18:36:00.000-07:002009-08-16T07:27:35.507-07:00

(I just wrote this as a comment to an an article/post on The Huffington Post, about Tantra. It was too long so I am posting it here in its entirety.)Lots of comments to this post. Some object to a connection between sex & spirituality, others are concerned that the teachings presented here (in the Huffington Post article) aren't pure Tantra. At the end of the day, or the year, or the lifetime,

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-5546977121776348502009-08-10T15:09:00.000-07:002009-08-10T15:22:31.831-07:00

Much of my day revolves around connecting with my S.O.’s. With Richard, my husband and MOST significant other, I take time every day to connect in a magical, meditative, spiritually, sexual way. If you’ve read our book, you know that we are hooked on S.E.X. as a Synchronized Energy eXchange. Yes, tantric sex keeps our marriage juicy after almost 25 years! And there are other significant people I

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-81089887237401646152009-08-06T08:12:00.001-07:002009-08-06T08:20:06.909-07:00

Too Hot for Sarasota? Well, they didn't actually ban my book, just weren't comfortable promoting us for a book signing. Why? It's all in the title. Read more here...The joy of love is founded and grounded in the delight of sexual arousal - that "in-love" feeling that so many couples feel is missing from their relationship. Along comes a book that can help couples regain that lovin' feeling,

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-77677281698647954442009-08-01T21:14:00.000-07:002009-08-01T21:36:02.383-07:00

Today my life was a wild melody, a cacophony of multiple sounds. There was a harmonious group conversation with several people leaning toward each other in pursuit of shared interests. (Check out www.HealYourselfCommunity.com. There were one-on-one dialogs, some easy and rewarding, others more difficult, but also rewarding, in the way that difficult conversations can be. And then a low, guttural

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-81141828814880805662009-07-28T12:24:00.000-07:002009-07-28T12:33:53.917-07:00

Sexy is the delighted smile caught across the room. Eyes lighting up at a glance. Slow, sensual lovemaking. Being happy for no reason. A satisfying rearrangement of art or furniture. Sexy is an impromptu jam – with musical instrument, voice or body. A touch, a scent. An openness to the moment. Sexy is a tingling, an energy flow. Sex itself is sexy when S.E.X. = Synchronized Energy eXchange,

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-23838511417125616852009-07-22T11:02:00.000-07:002009-07-22T12:14:04.602-07:00

As a massage instructor at Esalen Institute, many years ago, I discovered that if I just held my hands still, resting them on my client's body, a deepening experience of relaxation occurred. I experimented with placing my hands in different areas, and found that each person had an "energy map" that guided me. Sometimes I felt in contact with their soul, even past lives. This type of hands-on

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-71822917095034359672009-07-15T11:40:00.000-07:002009-07-15T16:59:04.836-07:00

I was so excited last night, participating in a teleseminar with Gay Hendricks - yes, participating, thanks to a new technology that lets listeners interact in groups with each other. (The seminar event was free - there are still more offerings this month, also free, with other leaders. Check it out at maestromonth)Gay's work over the years has instructed and inspired me. It was especially

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-47712988623707984262009-07-05T12:23:00.001-07:002009-07-05T12:55:17.660-07:00

I appreciate living in the U.S.A., and on the 4th of July, I also appreciate the ancient Chinese. Not only did they create T'ai Chi which has so greatly influenced my life, they also gave us fireworks. Historians aren't in agreement as to exactly when and where the first dazzling display occurred, but I can tell you about the most recent occasion I enjoyed - last night on Siesta Beach!Perhaps

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-63954778699672450812009-06-22T18:23:00.000-07:002009-07-15T23:16:40.949-07:00

No, he didn't do something out-of-the-ordinary that brought me to that realization. It was a gift from last night's Summer Solstice Celebration. A group of like-minded individuals met behind Sarasota's Unity Church, which has a wonderful labyrinth laid out in a wooded area. The event was filled with sacred chants and a variety of ceremonial empowerments, led by my friends, local spiritual guides

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-90981588834976365782009-06-06T05:50:00.000-07:002009-06-12T17:26:13.457-07:00

One thing leads to another. Coincidences? Fate? Karma? All I know for sure is that I never know in advance what will happen when I move forward. Moving forward can simply mean getting up, getting dressed and going for a walk. Attending a gathering - social or professional. Leaving a comment on a blog that interests me. Sure, sometimes nothing happens. But more often than not, one thing leads to

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-53128173689247947802009-06-01T08:50:00.000-07:002009-06-01T10:52:50.153-07:00

June already! How quickly the months fly by. On the other hand, it seems ages ago that we celebrated my birthday at the drum circle on Siesta Beach (May 10) and that we held book signings in bookstores on Miami Beach and in St. Louis (mid-May). That week, too, I was the Sunday Celebration Speaker at the Center for Spiritual Living in St. Louis - you can listen to the talk right here. Prior to

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-31699100200232528562009-05-23T05:51:00.000-07:002009-05-25T13:31:54.597-07:00

Unless she's already a prime time success, it is the author's responsibility to let people know about a newly published book. Therefore, much of my time is being spent this year on exactly that, letting the world know about my new book. (And, of course, about the Intimacy Retreats that my husband and I lead. )What's exciting about doing book publicity is that I get to create or join ongoing

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-89089776722621360482009-05-17T04:48:00.000-07:002009-05-17T04:55:15.092-07:00

So many experiences of intimacy, of joyous connection with life, with others, with the flow of love... and so little time to blog about it!I've been on the road, with book signings and family events and, yes, even just relaxing and enjoying the marvelous world we live in. Writing has taken a back seat but I wanted to stop in and say hi.Blessings,Diana

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-83274790355464283132009-05-07T15:58:00.000-07:002009-05-07T16:18:18.250-07:00

This Sunday is Mother's Day, of course. I've just sent out a newsletter to subscribers on my website, that includes a "message to men" for Mother's Day..And Sunday is my birthday. I hope lots of people will celebrate with me at the Siesta Key Drum Circle!Also this Sunday, at 1 pm, I will stand in silence for 5 minutes, in coordination with women (and men) everywhere, for a better world. What a

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-74202507305365270372009-05-05T20:51:00.000-07:002009-05-05T21:13:17.905-07:00

As I spend time traveling around cyberspace, looking for places to post information about the Intimacy Retreats or my book signing schedule, I find that "social networking" leads me into actual connections with real people. Today I had a wonderful dialog with California writer and Tantra teacher Luminessa Enjara, whose passion is to empower women through their sexuality.Another sex coach, Pam

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-13107475470588449962009-05-01T15:51:00.000-07:002009-05-01T16:15:05.413-07:00

As I muse on the historical and current meanings of May Day, what first comes to mind is the emergency signal sent out when trouble arises "May Day, May Day."Hmm.. I wonder if Mother Earth is sending out a May Day signal, warning of us climate change. Are we listening?May Day celebrations today are often labor-oriented, and socio/political.In ancient times, and in many towns today too, May Day

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-40855129543925557932009-04-28T16:58:00.000-07:002009-04-28T17:33:49.341-07:00

Now that's an interesting phrase, "old flames." I didn't think of it until I just now entered the title of this post. What I WAS thinking about was... someone I had been in relationship with many years ago... and then another someone... and as I thought of these past loves, it made a change in my day. Here I was, kind of spent from being on the computer all day, seeking ways to contribute to the

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-31086677802942582992009-04-27T08:41:00.000-07:002009-04-27T08:54:11.341-07:00

What a great drum circle on our fabulous Siesta Beach last night. Not only did I play sticks again, I also drummed, and even played flute - actually a small clay ocharina in the shape of an owl that I found during one of our Mexico workshops.In a previous post, I explained playing sticks at the drum circle, but this time was even more intense - a three-some took place. A young boy joined in, and

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-66410828765439244052009-04-26T12:48:00.001-07:002009-04-26T13:26:11.700-07:00

Was it ever hot! Yesterday Richard and I participated in a powerful sweat lodge ceremony. What's that, you may ask. Physically, it's kind of a cross between a sauna and a steam bath. However it's a very spiritual ceremony, held in nature. We humbly entered into a low, dome-shaped structure, representative of returning to the womb, and sat in darkness while steam and heat rose from hot rocks

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-33929861246450348502009-04-24T16:01:00.000-07:002009-04-24T16:08:50.469-07:00

Once again I got myself out to the beach for a wonderful morning hatha yoga class with Avananda from Hawaii. Not being a morning person, this is a stretch in more ways than one! But it's totally worth it. Ava is extraordinary and I get to enjoy a connection with the sand, air, sea and sun, as well as with a huge group of locals and tourists who show up to take advantage of the class.Yoga is so

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-23910950887281938552009-04-23T07:24:00.000-07:002009-04-23T10:02:28.993-07:00

Earth Day yesterday, and I joined with others at sunset on our beautiful Siesta Key Beach, in the ancient way of honoring our connection with All That Is.Organized by visionary artist and writer, Jo Mooy and spiritual guide Zan Butterfly Deerwoman, and graced by the magical voice of Faerie Elaine Silver, the ceremony brought us all together into sacred presence.While each participant dipped hands

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-17035269163288489382009-04-21T19:36:00.001-07:002009-04-22T08:26:17.967-07:00

This morning began, as most mornings do, with ten minutes of Peaceful Passion with my husband Richard, what a great way to start the day. Absolute intimacy.Then, back to work. My t0-do list keeps growing. You might think that getting a book published is a destination, but really, it's just the beginning of the book-publishing journey! And in today's e-world, the journey spawned by becoming an

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-81432078426476530352009-04-19T06:52:00.000-07:002009-04-19T07:03:49.532-07:00

A previous post talked about how marriage success can be predicted by whether or not the individual was smiling in past photos. Just now, I heard TV pastor Joel Osteen speak about the importance and value of smiling - whether you want to or not!It reminded me of how, when I feel myself annoyed with Richard (oops - did I just shatter your view of our fabulous marriage?!), when he has said or done

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-60549703119246750092009-04-18T17:47:00.000-07:002009-04-18T20:43:43.862-07:00

I experienced a moment of familiar intimacy (into-me-see) when I happened to connect today with someone I hadn’t seen in ages. It happened at Barnes & Noble. Since I have my first book signings coming up soon (see my book signing schedule), I thought it would be good to go to someone else's! Today at B&N, Corey Perlman was speaking about his book, eBootCamp. Not only did he provide useful

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-58199775716937991532009-04-17T11:34:00.000-07:002009-04-17T12:36:45.968-07:00

No matter how busy our lives are, it's so important to create time for intimate connection, with those we love and most especially with ourselves. One way I create self-intimacy is through Focusing, a listening process that uses body-awareness to sense into one's inner truth. Originally developed by Eugene Gendlin, Focusing is a gentle yet powerful method of embracing all the parts of ourselves

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-9517753260644423252009-04-16T07:01:00.001-07:002009-04-16T07:21:10.839-07:00

Today's news is a-buzz about a study that shows how photos can determine whether a person will be good at marriage. Seems that if we smiled widely in our college yearbook photo, we're more likely to have a happy disposition that bodes well for marriage. Hmm.. earth-shattering news? Happy people make good spouses. At our Intimacy Retreats, when people share things they love about their partner,

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-86873490773265097452009-04-15T08:01:00.000-07:002009-04-15T09:15:25.391-07:00

Odd word, written down: gabbing. Webster defines it as talking in a "rapid or thoughtless" manner. So I guess I wasn't gabbing this morning with Yolande, Sarasota's premiere clothing designer, because our conversation was rich with serious thoughts. Seriously positive thoughts, and even some pauses between them. That's what made it such a great conversation! We really felt connected. (And since

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-17942353066136488192009-04-14T10:18:00.000-07:002009-04-14T10:39:55.299-07:00

Becoming a new author (my book was just published) means jumping feet first into the world of book publicity. It means sending out press releases and emails and making phone calls and sometimes there's the delightful click of a connection.For example, I just had a rather long phone conversation with Anita Finley who publishes a seniors magazine and has a talk radio show and wanted to know all

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-85864318306045534532009-04-14T08:39:00.000-07:002009-04-14T10:16:37.060-07:00

At the drum circle on Siesta Key this past Sunday, I experienced an intimate connection with Buck Levine, a psychotherapist, while we played Crystal Stix on the beach. Each of held one stick in each hand while we tossed another stick back and forth between us. Twirling the stick and twirling our bodies, we stayed in synch with each other and the drum beat vibrating around the circle.Without words

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274945673104466269.post-41592302713289792102009-04-13T12:15:00.000-07:002009-04-13T12:20:40.704-07:00

Years ago, I wrote an essay about "intimacy" which has been my passion, my delight, my salvation, and in recent years, my work as a facilitator of Intimacy Retreats for couples.Connecting with others, really connecting, through eye contact and/or touch, through emotional and/or spiritual sharing, through writing and speaking and drumming and laughing.. has always been what drives and excites

Diana Daffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642494599771218494noreply@blogger.com1