Because I am an attorney, I believe words mean things. So, before I discuss an issue, I typically want to start by defining what it is I am discussing. Intimacy is a bond formed between people or animals but I confine this discussion to people that is physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, or experiential. When two people are intimate, they have formed some type of bond in one or more of these areas.
To borrow an idea from the paragon simple self-understanding, Tony Robbins, the undeniable conclusion is that proximity is the only necessary ingredient to create intimacy. Even willfulness is unnecessary! Just take a moment to contemplate the ramifications of the fact that willfulness is unnecessary to create intimacy. How does this unwelcome intimacy happen? Well, captives may unwillingly form an experiential bond with their captors.
This minimum level of intimacy may be described as negative in its impact on individuals. However, unwilling positive intimacy can also be created, perhaps between coworkers.
The addition of willingness to proximity creates a much more positive and beneficial intimacy. People may choose to be intimate for a variety of reasons. We start making friends at the earliest of ages out of a desire for intimacy in and of itself.
At a traditional workplace, employees form bonds with employers in order to create a mutually beneficial economy, which results in intellectual and experiential intimacy. People form intimate relationships and formalize their intimacy with a marriage.
