Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’ve tasked myself with exploring the concepts of pronoia (the belief that the universe is conspiring to shower us with blessings), quiety (serenity) and peace – all through the lens of unusual, obscure, or simply delightful-to-me words.
U is for…
umbfold – an archaic word from the 1400s meaning to embrace someone.
A hug can be a sign of love, affection, or friendship. Although culture and individual preference may put a nix on it, hugging is often a common form of greeting or parting.
There is extensive research verifying the psychological and physical benefits of being hugged. I whole-heartedly believe the truth of that. I also believe there are subtler and more profound benefits – perhaps what you might call “spiritual” benefits, however you might define spiritual.
I undoubtedly lean more into the “woo” side of things than many people, but the world I inhabit is one that pays attention to energy – to vibration and frequencies.
While it’s perfectly fine to accept hugging as a simple feel-good gesture, I’m suggesting it can actually be much more. Hugging is a practice that invites an aware balance of giving and receiving love. It honors where each person is in their ability to let in love, and yet invites radical understanding that as a collective we really do need to hug one another more frequently – to build bridges, to mirror unity consciousness, to invite heart-felt connection.
That to me is what a hug is – both literally and figuratively a heart connection.
While I imagine this can be construed as egoic, the truth is I am a good hugger. I run strong heart energy, I attune to energy easily, and I believe hugs are an opportunity to give and receive powerful energy.
We’ve all had experiences with uncomfortable huggers – they’re stiff, almost unwilling, unable to relax, and rather than holding their hands on the other’s back or rubbing the back of the heart chakra gently they often pat rather sharply in a motion akin to burping a baby. There’s no judgement here believe me. Hugging wasn’t always one of my super powers. But now that it is, I’d love for everyone to experience it.
In a good hug each person has the opportunity to relax, bask in love, and dive deep within themselves. It’s an invitation to open your heart and connect to the heart of another soul. It’s not about giving your heart away, but simply exchanging energy for a moment, and understanding we all carry different vibrational patterns. A heart-to-heart energy exchange offers the opportunity to align with and entrain with another’s vibration bringing a deep connection that often feels really good.
Of course I absolutely do not advocate touching another person without permission. Honoring people’s boundaries and preferences is paramount in respectful relationship. But should we ever meet in person, I’d love to exchange hugs. For I believe as Hafiz so beautifully said:
“My Heart and Your Heart are very old friends.”
Umbfolding needn’t be confined to people. There’s much magic and energy to be exchanged by hugging trees.
Are you hugger? Tree-hugger? Pay attention to energy and vibration? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
I got used to hugs as greetings in America. I’ll miss this when I go back to Hungary (we kiss on the cheek but don’t hug).
The Multicolored Diary: WTF – Weird Things in Folktales
Oh I’d miss that as well. Perhaps you’ll have to single-handedly (or would that be double-armed?) introduce the practice. 🙂
You know, I think I need to start hugging trees. I like hugging. I have no problem hugging, but will rarely initiate it as I don’t want to overstep boundaries or anything like that. Umbfold sounds like a thick blanket. 🙂
Umbfold does indeed sound like a thick blanket – how perfect!
People can be tricky with regard to hugging, but trees almost never say no. 🙂
I enjoy hugging my family members and people who are close to me. There’s nothing so sweet as my children’s arms around me. However, I’m uncomfortable with acquaintances or people I’m meeting for the first time hugging me.
Children’s hugs are delightful. And I love that we’re all such different AND sovereign beings – that we get to choose what feels good and right for us.
Thanks for the beautiful word and the lovely post, Deborah. I do believe in the power of a heartfelt hug. Sending one to you .:)
Best wishes ,
Moon
https://aslifehappens60.wordpress.com
Thanks Moon – and returning a heartfelt hug to you as well.
Hi Deborah – Umfold sounds like a delightful word … that being wrapped in a hug-blanket sounds good … I love a good hug – but have found some do and some don’t … Fun – now I want one!!! Cheers Hilary
http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/u-is-for-unicorn.html
From now on I’m going to be evaluating blankets as to whether they’re hug blankets – I think that’s a most excellent criteria.
I love the idea of hugging as a super power! I need to work on that!
I’m betting practicing will be lots of fun. 🙂
I love a good hug. My husband is 15 inches taller than me, and sometimes his back hurts from bending over and being held a hug-hostage for so long. I can’t help it, he’s super cuddly!
LOL. Hug-hostage – I love that! Keep up the good work. 🙂 And thanks for stopping by Jamie – I appreciate it.
Umbfold reminded me of umbilical/womb – the primal embrace we all experience. Hafiz is a favourite poet, so neat to find that quote from him here – lifted my day!
Nilanjana
Madly-in-Verse
Oh I like that connection Nilanjana. That’s the perfect holding isn’t it?
O my O my
I popped over to roll in the violets with you:)
Little did I know that there’ll be a warm hug waiting for me too:)
LOVE this post Deborah.
I’m a hugger. And I hug trees too. In fact, trees make excellent hug buddies–they ground me and elevate me all at the same time:)
Thank you….“My Heart and Your Heart are very old friends.”
V is for Ventriloquist
There will always be a warm hug available for you here Arti. 🙂
Trees are such amazing beings aren’t they? I love their ability to ground us as well. My favorite though is when I hug a tree that’s near other trees – I like to think that not only are we exchanging love through the tree’s roots, but the branches touching branches and leaves of other trees is like they’re holding hands – and the love gets spread all around.
I have known some excellent huggers, and I try to give the best hug each person is willing to receive. <3
How perfect Sue!