my first cuddle party! / energy exchange through touch
The cuddle party was amazing! I can't use names because of the confidentiality agreement, so I'll use numbers :D I gave person 1 a backrub; gave person 2 a temples-forehead rub; got a foot massage from person 3; listened to poetry by person 4, danced with person 5 and stroked zir hair; rubbed the arm and back of person 6; exchanged backrubs, held hands, gave a hand massage to, and shared lengthy hugs with person 7; cuddled, held hands with, stroked arms and side, and finger-painted (minus paint) the face of person 8; spooned with person 7 and 8; gave hugs to quite a few others; and puppy-piled & circle-hugged with everyone.
I believe there's an energy exchange involved in touch -- I first realized this when I was massaging a person with MS, and I picked up some of the energy from the disease (I'm assuming, it could have been something else), which overwhelmed me to the point where I had to go in the other room and lay down on the floor (couldn't even make it to the bed), with my ears buzzing so much I couldn't hear, way too dizzy to move. That shook me up! I was a little cautious about touching the head of person 2 (because touching the head/face is the strongest energy exchange) but I felt nothing negative from it (though it could have contributed to my needing alone, grounding time after the party). Person 5 shared strawberry-sweet energy with me when we danced, and when person 7 rubbed my back I felt heat like I've only felt from a skilled energy healer before! Cuddling with person 8 felt like home and flying. Next time I hope to cuddle with new people (though if 7 and 8 are there I will probably spend a lot of time with them again).
My favorite aspect (besides the touch itself) was the asking and answering of questions -- one of the rules was that you had to ask and get a verbal 'yes' from the other person before you did anything (and you had to instantly accept their 'no'). This makes everything feel so much more respectful and mutual -- you're so aware that each interaction is both giving and receiving, and that it's about both people's desires, not one person's. I think consent is something people are not taught, and this is very good practice in consent. I think it's very important to discuss boundaries and desires before acting, and having my boundaries and desires recognized and respected by so many people was very affirming. Not everyone adhered to this with complete strictness, but I think everyone gave it their best shot. I'm really excited about going again.