Mt. Vernon, Washington Man writes...
I have had a few "naturist" experiences. Ironically the earliest one came while at a LDS Boy Scout Camporee in Idaho in the 60's. It was nothing more than feeling the hot Idaho sun, under beautiful blue skies in the open air showers. I thought this was great and too bad we couldn't expand on this, which led to skinny-dipping later on.
My other experiences have been while hiking (north cascades of Washington). A hike is not complete without skinny-dipping in isolated mountain lakes and sunning in the nude. Like most people the thought of doing this in mixed company was frightening but at the same time attractive. I let it go at that and believed that the stories one hears of nude beaches and nudist parks were merely products of active imaginations.
Then a close Mormon friend of mine died at a relatively young age. I had a difficult time reconciling the reason of such events. The balance between mortal and immortal, the earthly vs. celestial as well as the life and death questions humanity has pondered for thousands of years. My grieving lead me to want to experience our world on a more intimate level.
I hiked for several hours up a mountain river, exploring farther than I had hiked this river before. I came to a beautiful, sunny spot with a sandbar across the slow, flowing river. I removed my clothes and waded across the river. I relieved myself of all things physical and spent the afternoon alone, nude, with our natural world.
Some may think this is crazy, but for me it was what I needed to do. Of course I did not unlock the mysteries of the universe, but I did feel a great sense of surrender and continuity with nature. There was an inexplicable sense of timelessness. I felt as though this snapshot in time could have been taken 10,000 years ago or just as easily hundreds of years in the future. I know now why naturists love being naked in nature.
Since that epiphany, I have visited a nude beach, participated in nude swims, and attended a naturist gathering. Each time I am amazed by my own emotional reaction to the experience. I understand why it is not a sexual response. It is more of an acceptance of who and what I am as well as an acceptance of others as they are. It is an acceptance of the physical body and its harmony with nature. All pretenses are dropped and everyone is equal. There is a reverence and respect of those participating.
It is not so much male and female (separation), as it is a family (togetherness). Our bodies are constructed differently for reasons of procreation but other than that we are basically alike. Once people can see beyond that male-female facade we will have a greater understanding and appreciation for one another.
Naturism is an idea and practice that is not as emotionally traumatic as we worry that it will be. It was sanctioned in the Garden of Eden and it is a concept that has a place outside the garden. More people should give naturism, or at least skinny-dipping, a try. It is healthy for the mind and soul. In fact I feel that we will most likely be nude in the afterlife. Clothing makes no sense if we are placed in paradise again, but I will leave that discussion for another time.
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