I had noticed before that to sleep, actually sleep with someone did give this sense of intimacy, as though your dreams had flowed out of you to mingle with his and fold you both in a blanket of unconscious knowing. A throwback of some kind, I thought. In older, more primitive times {like these? asked another part of my mind}, it was an act of trust to sleep in the presence of another person. If the trust was mutual, simple sleep could bring you closer together than the joining of bodies.
The quote reflects on the intimate experience of sleeping beside someone, suggesting that it creates a profound connection between two individuals. The author compares this shared sleep to a merging of dreams, fostering a sense of understanding and closeness that transcends mere physical presence. This idea highlights the emotional and psychological bond that can develop in such vulnerable moments.
The passage also touches on the theme of trust, proposing that in earlier times, sleeping near another person was a significant act of faith. The narrator contemplates how this mutual trust can deepen the relationship, indicating that emotional intimacy may surpass the physical act of being together. The deeper connection achieved through shared sleep enriches the experience of companionship.
