This is a day of chilled air and leaves beginning to fall from trees touched by the changing seasons. The time of flaming colors on the horizon, of red and gold in the trees is slipping away more quickly this year than in seasons past. It is only half-past October and frost has blanketed the grass and in places, the first flakes of winter snow have fallen in the past twenty-four hours. The days shorten, the nights grow dark early and the stars shine longer as we slip quietly towards the indoor time of the year, spent huddled for warmth away from the winds and snow of Yule.
It is a time when I, as often as possible, step naked into my own backyard, shrouded by darkness from the prying eyes of city neighbors, to allow that cooling breeze to softly brush the prejudices and social antagonisms of the day to the ground, to free my naked soul from the negativity of the clothed and imprisoned society with which I must interact each and every day. The bathing of my body with the chill air of autumn helps me acclimate myself to being shut off from the sun and warmth of summer while still touching and being touched by the breath of the God/dess.
The freedom of being naked before the eyes of nature, to feel the earth beneath my feet, to hug a tree and feel its spirit against my naked breasts and feel my heart beat with the same rhythm, shores my soul up against the months of seasonal depression, when only an occasional snow bath allows me to connect to the earth spirits.
Indoors, I will shed the trappings of society and wear nothing but the cloak of the air whenever it is possible, to do the everyday tasks of home and hearth without the bindings of cloth and leather and prejudice. It is my hope to share this self-described sanctuary of nudism with others of the same bent, to simply be social and free from the societal requirements of hiding our true selves from each other. If it becomes possible to share my abode with another naked soul, then I will let them into my haven with an open door and open arms, and invite them to be free with me.
Without the clothing which hides us from each other, we can more completely understand each other's motives and minds and share more completely in each other's growth in soul and understanding. Naked before God/dess and each other, we can regain the balance They intended us to have all along before fear changed the dynamics of life.
Monday, October 20, 2014
History is not the only focus here...
While the concepts, ideals, and actions of nudists with the framework of human history is the intent behind this blog, it is also a place for me to discuss my own ideas on spirituality, nudism - both public and private, social and religious prejudices and pressures placed on our healthy self-image and body consciousness by outside forces. It may also touch on laws and changes in the rules on public and private nudity, and the changes in attitudes among those of us who prefer not to bind up our bodies and souls in antiquated social acceptability about where and when nudity is appropriate.
Consequently, however many people in the great and anonymous ether of the internet ever see the words that I place here or for that matter don't see...I can and will express myself on any and all facets of my own journey of self-discovery through nudism and history as it unfolds.
Consequently, however many people in the great and anonymous ether of the internet ever see the words that I place here or for that matter don't see...I can and will express myself on any and all facets of my own journey of self-discovery through nudism and history as it unfolds.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Nudism: a personal view
I have hovered near the edges of nudism most of my life.
I disliked being dressed from an early age, waiting until my very anti-naked mother turned out the light at night so I could get out of my pajamas and sleep naked. As I got older I would find places to skinny-dip and had a small group of friends with whom I hiked naked on the Appalachian Trail, and slept in naked puppy piles for warmth. Nothing sexual involved, just being unencumbered by clothing out in nature with people who felt the same way as I about restrictive layers during exercise. Once the real world of employment and taking care of aged parents restricted any nude outdoor activities, I succumbed to the need to dress "appropriately" even as my body screamed for freedom.Now, I am older and live alone, which frees me to only need the social camoflage of clothing when I leave home. Currently, I consider myself fortunate to be naked and content 15-20 hours per day every day.Being clothes-free lets me breathe deeper, relax better, concentrate with ease, and lets the words flow from my fingers to the academic papers I write. No restrictions means I have a happy soul.
Nakedness is our natural state. It is how we come into the world and how we ultimately leave it. Why not allow ourselves to be natural? Adam and Eve are said to have made the mistake which gave us this guilty need to cover ourselves, according to the writers who came so many centuries after the fact so that they could justify regulating every part of human life. If God created us in His image, then it behooves us to love ourselves and to show Him that we love the bodies he gifted us with and let the sun bless us without hindrance.
God loves us in all our imperfections, so we should be comfortable showing our whole selves to each other, not just the mask society forces us to wear. Be proud, be naked, and let God know that you love His gift enough to show it to the world.
I disliked being dressed from an early age, waiting until my very anti-naked mother turned out the light at night so I could get out of my pajamas and sleep naked. As I got older I would find places to skinny-dip and had a small group of friends with whom I hiked naked on the Appalachian Trail, and slept in naked puppy piles for warmth. Nothing sexual involved, just being unencumbered by clothing out in nature with people who felt the same way as I about restrictive layers during exercise. Once the real world of employment and taking care of aged parents restricted any nude outdoor activities, I succumbed to the need to dress "appropriately" even as my body screamed for freedom.Now, I am older and live alone, which frees me to only need the social camoflage of clothing when I leave home. Currently, I consider myself fortunate to be naked and content 15-20 hours per day every day.Being clothes-free lets me breathe deeper, relax better, concentrate with ease, and lets the words flow from my fingers to the academic papers I write. No restrictions means I have a happy soul.
Nakedness is our natural state. It is how we come into the world and how we ultimately leave it. Why not allow ourselves to be natural? Adam and Eve are said to have made the mistake which gave us this guilty need to cover ourselves, according to the writers who came so many centuries after the fact so that they could justify regulating every part of human life. If God created us in His image, then it behooves us to love ourselves and to show Him that we love the bodies he gifted us with and let the sun bless us without hindrance.
God loves us in all our imperfections, so we should be comfortable showing our whole selves to each other, not just the mask society forces us to wear. Be proud, be naked, and let God know that you love His gift enough to show it to the world.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
The Adamites: A Bit of Naked History
Most authors approach the Adamite sub-culture as a radical sect, somewhat gnostic in form, but in complete opposition to the Catholic Church's strictures on the body, family, and methods of worship. However, Adamism really has a basis in the Book of Genesis and its description life in the Garden of Eden.
The basis of Adamite religious practice hinged on the life of Adam and Eve before the Fall, meaning their communal lifestyle, healthy eating habits, harmony with nature, and the absence of clothing to hide their bodies from God and each other. This would have been accepted rather than vilified if the sect's nudism was confined to behind closed doors, but many of the groups eschewed clothing completely including during worship services. The Adamites also rejected the concept of the marriage bond which was not part of life in the Garden, and lived a communal lifestyle sharing everything in common. By doing so, they also rejected the existence of state government and the Pope's authority as being unnatural and therefore, not part of God's plan.It is also only under pressures both political and religious that these communities faded into obscurity. However, the seed of their ideals really lay dormant until the Reformation when some of their objections to the Church's habits of indulgences and political interference were used by Martin Luther as a basis for his battles with the Pope and the creation of Protestantism.
There are some who consider them simply "misguided ascetics" who used their version of the faith to remove any stigma from their abolition of marriage. In my view, the Adamites were people who valued the healthy effects of being without clothing both in their physical body and in their mental acuity. Without clothing, they could hide nothing from the eyes of God, and also remained equal with their fellows, thus engendering no jealousy or avarice. By worshiping and going about their daily tasks in the nude, they also removed any salaciousness which religion generally attached to the naked body, which would have created a very well-adjusted mentality and body image for young and old alike.Such beliefs and the open practice of nudism created a hybrid of Old Testament faith based on the Creation Myth and the ancient Greek practices of gymnosophy which regarded some foods and most clothing as "detrimental to purity of thought".Perhaps, it is that concept of "pure thoughts" which was beyond the capacity of the Catholic Church to understand.
The basis of Adamite religious practice hinged on the life of Adam and Eve before the Fall, meaning their communal lifestyle, healthy eating habits, harmony with nature, and the absence of clothing to hide their bodies from God and each other. This would have been accepted rather than vilified if the sect's nudism was confined to behind closed doors, but many of the groups eschewed clothing completely including during worship services. The Adamites also rejected the concept of the marriage bond which was not part of life in the Garden, and lived a communal lifestyle sharing everything in common. By doing so, they also rejected the existence of state government and the Pope's authority as being unnatural and therefore, not part of God's plan.It is also only under pressures both political and religious that these communities faded into obscurity. However, the seed of their ideals really lay dormant until the Reformation when some of their objections to the Church's habits of indulgences and political interference were used by Martin Luther as a basis for his battles with the Pope and the creation of Protestantism.
There are some who consider them simply "misguided ascetics" who used their version of the faith to remove any stigma from their abolition of marriage. In my view, the Adamites were people who valued the healthy effects of being without clothing both in their physical body and in their mental acuity. Without clothing, they could hide nothing from the eyes of God, and also remained equal with their fellows, thus engendering no jealousy or avarice. By worshiping and going about their daily tasks in the nude, they also removed any salaciousness which religion generally attached to the naked body, which would have created a very well-adjusted mentality and body image for young and old alike.Such beliefs and the open practice of nudism created a hybrid of Old Testament faith based on the Creation Myth and the ancient Greek practices of gymnosophy which regarded some foods and most clothing as "detrimental to purity of thought".Perhaps, it is that concept of "pure thoughts" which was beyond the capacity of the Catholic Church to understand.
Introducing: thenakedhistorian
Let me introduce myself. For reasons most of you will understand, I call myself "thenakedhistorian"...yes, I know that's all one word but it works for me, and obviously I am a home nudist, hence the "naked" part of the new moniker.
Anyway, I am a non-traditional post-graduate student researching Late Medieval and Early Modern History (ranging from 1000CE to 1700CE) and finding interesting tidbits about body image and attitudes as I go along. Those are what I want to share here, as well as some of my personal observations about my own body image as I age and how they correlate to religious strictures which have been hammered into our psyches since time immemorial. Be aware that some topics will be decidedly adult in nature and decide beforehand whether you care to read them.
I am sure I will anger some of you, but as these are my own carefully researched observations or analyses of my personal experiences, you are entitled to your opinion and may comment as long as you remain polite.
This blog is *my* world, and the rules are simple: 1) Think carefully before you comment. 2) Be polite to both me and any others who comment. 3) Keep the language clean.
Thanks for tuning in here :)
Stay warm and Stay Naked!
Anyway, I am a non-traditional post-graduate student researching Late Medieval and Early Modern History (ranging from 1000CE to 1700CE) and finding interesting tidbits about body image and attitudes as I go along. Those are what I want to share here, as well as some of my personal observations about my own body image as I age and how they correlate to religious strictures which have been hammered into our psyches since time immemorial. Be aware that some topics will be decidedly adult in nature and decide beforehand whether you care to read them.
I am sure I will anger some of you, but as these are my own carefully researched observations or analyses of my personal experiences, you are entitled to your opinion and may comment as long as you remain polite.
This blog is *my* world, and the rules are simple: 1) Think carefully before you comment. 2) Be polite to both me and any others who comment. 3) Keep the language clean.
Thanks for tuning in here :)
Stay warm and Stay Naked!
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