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Core Values 1

Touch Practice: Mission, Vision, Values

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Touch Practice describes an improvised, ritual practice of non-sexual partnered bodywork for the soul that empowers men through compassionate touch.

My mission:
  • to physically hold men as a spiritual practice of compassion
  • to support and nurture physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, safety, and happiness
  • to be a conduit for empowerment, healing, self-acceptance, creativity, courage, joy, grieving, celebration, playfulness, and blessing
  • to facilitate deep, intimate, meaningful non-sexual connection with individual men, and within and between communities of men
My vision:

I envision a world where:

  • men touch and hold each other tenderly and instinctively, without reflexively sexualizing all touch
  • men are skillful and graceful in defining and protecting their own touch boundaries, and recognize and respect the touch boundaries of others
  • men offer each other mentorship, brotherhood, care, empowerment, inspiration, courage, compassion, and comfort using physical touch
  • men acknowledge that sexual desire and expression exists along a continuous and fluctuating spectrum, and no longer feel required to categorize each other as ‘gay’ or ‘straight’
My values:

I am not professionally trained, licensed, or certified by any formal agency. My practice is solely intuited, self-discovered, and led by Spirit.

However, I hold myself to a personal code of ethics. I pledge:

  • To share Touch Practice with individuals and groups as a gift freely given, as much as I am able.  I do not accept money or other compensation for Touch Practice.
  • To do no harm, either to myself or to any individual; to create and hold safe space for myself and others
  • To conduct Touch Practice as a part of my personal sacred practice; to bring my very best and highest self to my work; to treat the work with reverence
  • To practice with kindness, humility, integrity, sensitivity, respect, and acceptance towards others, to the very best of my ability
  • To hold Touch Practice with gentle grasp, understanding that I did not create it and do not own it.  I am a conduit for the practice; I carry it where it leads me.  It preceded me, and will continue after I am gone.

Have thoughts you’d like to share?

Touch Practice is a sacred practice for me, and part of that is keeping confidences sacred. While a name and e-mail address are required to post a comment, feel free to use just your first name, or a pseudonym if you wish.  Your e-mail address will never be seen by or shared with anyone. It is used to prevent spam and inappropriate comments from appearing in the blog. I’d really like to hear from you!

  1. Chris in Lancaster
    Chris in Lancaster04-12-2013

    Kevin – Just a quick note of gratitude. Hugs, Chris.

    • Kevin Smith
      Kevin Smith04-13-2013

      and a hug of appreciation back at ya!