Over the course of 175 weekly episodes spanning three and a half years, Two Open Doors has been exploring the many different facets of deep human connection. Those episodes have focused on the nature of intimate relationship, how sexuality really works to support human connection, the many ways in which society interacts with individuals to shape relationships, and many other important topics. While I continue to see deep connection as a foundation for a healthy society, as well as a co...
Mar 23, 2025
8 min
In our last two episodes, we’ve been exploring the outlooks that several major religions and worldviews hold regarding the human body, sexuality, relationships, and what is taken as constituting “proper” living. In the course of that review, we’ve discerned both similarities and significant differences between those belief systems. In this episode, we’ll return to our original goal of trying to understand how each of our subject belief systems views to important life-orientations: sex p...
Mar 16, 2025
11 min
In our previous episode titled “Worldview, Body, and Sex”, we took a look at how a number of the most prevalent religions and worldviews perceive the human body and human sexuality. We also reviewed how each of these belief systems embraces differing levels of acceptance, or restriction, of the expression of believers’ sexuality. In this episode, we’ll again consider the same set of belief systems, but this time focusing on how they position marriage, sexual expression and intimacy.&nbs...
Mar 9, 2025
10 min
In our episode titled “Intimacy Positivity”, we considered the well-established concept of sex positivity, in which an individual holds a generally positive and receptive perspective on sex. I also introduced my notion of intimacy positivity, which describes an attitude of openness and welcoming of intimate emotional connection. In the next several episodes, we’ll step back to look at how worldview can promote or undermine these two forms of positivity. We’ll start by considering ...
Mar 2, 2025
10 min
In many episodes, Two Open Doors has referred to “sex positivity”, which in essence is a personal orientation in which a person is inclined to see sex in a generally positive light. Having such an attitude can free a person from much of the inappropriate sex-based shame, fear and repression that is all too common in our rather Puritanical society. In this episode, I’d like to propose a variation on sex positivity, which I refer to as “intimacy positivity”. We humans thrive on inti...
Feb 23, 2025
10 min
In thinking recently about what sets apart truly noteworthy intimate relationships from functional but less unusual ones, I was reminded of the widely-held observation that “It’s the little things that count”. I believe that applies in the realm of deeply-connected relationships, as in many other aspects of life. In this episode, we’ll examine the idea that relationships are marked by an accompanying tone; each relationship has a feel to it. Some are easy and nurturing and energiz...
Feb 16, 2025
9 min
For those who understand and practice sex-positivity, one of the familiar themes within that community is what is usually referred to as “consent culture”. That term describes a community that is founded on mutual consent to enter into relationship as one of the fundamental traits of sex-positivity. While consent is indeed an essential element of sex-positivity, I’d like to propose that there is a different though related perspective and set of behavioral norms that is even broader than...
Feb 9, 2025
9 min
The Two Open Doors perspective on relationships is focused on prompting the understanding of, and support for, deep human connection. Our motivating belief is that centering rich and abundant intimate connections in one’s life is essential to enjoying an emotionally satisfying life. In this episode, we’ll gain insight into deep connection, by examining its opposite: detachment. We’ll consider how detachment can occur, and we’ll take a look at its possible consequences. We’ll...
Feb 2, 2025
9 min
As we’ve noted in many prior episodes, human sexuality involves much more than just physiology. Sex is a multi-dimensional experience that involves the body, mind, emotions and spirit (or a sense of transcendence). In this episode, we’ll consider how fantasy plays into sexual experiences. We’ll take a look at some of the many forms that sexual fantasy can take, and we’ll consider the roles that fantasy can play within the scope of “real life” overall. As we’ll see, fantasy c...
Jan 26, 2025
9 min
Those of us who lived through or are otherwise acquainted with the 1960s are well-acquainted with the term “free love”. That might immediately conjure up images of hippies frolicking at Woodstock. The reality, though, is that there’s more to this term than meets the eye. In this episode, we’ll examine what free love is about, including its goals and its long history, which includes many incarnations. As we’ll see, it’s an idea that shouldn’t be lightly dismissed. Dr....
Jan 19, 2025
9 min
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