In View of Naturism

"Clothe yourselves in the Holy Spirit." --Bible, Romans Chapter 8

SECRET 

by Madonna
LISTEN HERE

Things haven't been the same

Since you came into my life

You found a way to touch my soul

And I'm never, ever, ever gonna let it go

Happiness lies in your own hand

It took me much too long to understand

How it could be

Until you shared your secret with me

Mmm mmm

Something's comin' over, mmm mmm

Something's comin' over, mmm mmm

Something's comin' over me

My baby's got a secret

You gave me back the paradise

That I thought I lost for good

You helped me find the reasons why

It took me by surprise that you understood

You knew all along

What I never wanted to say

Until I learned to love myself

I was never ever lovin' anybody else...

Mmm mmm, my baby's got a secret

Mmm mmm, my baby's got a secret

Mmm mmm, my baby's got a secret for me
Recently the Simple Mind came across an interesting series of articles in the Chicago Tribune, a major daily American newspaper. Its subject was curiously selling real estate to those who wish to pursue an active, natural (read naked here) lifestyle, in a residential development with those who also  wish to live within the society of other Naturalists, at least on a part time basis. The article follows a local real estate agent who sells properties to those who have this specific interest.

The reporter relayed an interesting conversation about a couple, man and woman who are involved in this community. One comment they made was rather striking. The woman stated that Naturism has helped her with her body image, made her more self confident. Huh... Well, that's interesting that one is confident sans habits and not confident with clothing on. They comment that when the 'clothing is stripped away... all pretenses all worrying how you look...'

It sets one to thinking: Is the physical, what you see, all that you get...? Is it the only truth that the reality of ones' being is merely physical, or is there truth in (invisible, seen with the heart's eye) a spiritual dimension? After all spirits need no clothing; it is of no concern to them. So are these persons really spirits or are they both body and spirit? Does their clothing make any sense in context?
We learn in the same article about 'manners.' It is for example, rude to look below the chin or even to giggle when in such company. 'Clothes free' does not actually make these prejudices insolvent, then, does it? So what might be going on here?

In a spiritual sense we are all naked creation, born naked, without the benefit of any psychological jargon like 'body image.' If the Holy Spirit is naked then what does it matter if any spirit is clothed or naked? Angels for that matter are one, parted not from their respective bodies. They, like the rest, impart both body and spirit, we learn. So maybe we are in our true state when we are most transparent, the most open, the most receptive to loving our self as we love our neighbor.

Want a Friend? Get a Dog.

"Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool so as to become wise."   -- 1Corinthians 13

Back Stabbers
Performed by Seal

LISTEN HERE

...Blades are long, clenched tight in their fist
 Aimin' straight at your back
 And I don't think they'll miss
 --What they do! --
 --They smile in your face--
 All the time they want to take your place
 The back stabbers --back stabbers--

...What can I do to get on the right track
 I wish they'd take some of these knives off my back
 --They smile in your face--
 All the time they want to take your place
 The back stabbers --back stabbers--
 Low down... dirty...
--What they do! --

 ...--They smile in your face--
 Smiling faces... smiling faces sometimes tell lies--Back stabbers
 --They smile in your face--
 I don't need... low down, dirty bastards--Back stabbers

In the everydayness of our modern world there are many things tugging, pulling at us for our attention. There are our own wants and desires and those same desires of others around us. Many times these issues are satisfied in healthy, productive ways; they respect ourselves and they entertain the respect of others, in equal measure. We may then be both confident and calm in the knowledge that we can manage our lives well.
At times we may find that some of our wants, or desires turn to fascination; we are then vulnerable to impulse, to suggestion, particularly the suggestions of others.

Day to day we come into contact with other personalities some of whom are compatible with our own, some less so. As sociable beings, humans both want and need a variety of interactions with others. Positive relationships are not without occasional discord; what they are about is both the 'give and the take,' uniquely sharing with one another those things that matter, that make each one of us real, alive.
 Both giving and taking in equal measure, we find our satisfactions. In a great wheel of life, there are turns and counter-turns. Some spiritual traditions refer to this as "cause and effect." For other traditions, this is a simple indication of the opportunity for evil-doing in the world, an indication of  'free' choices.
And others who may find the same through interactions with us. Then there are the personalities who suggest, goad and initiate activities which at first provide (and answer) an outlet to our social desires, at least at first, but over time capture ones' soul in a web hard to untangle. They prey uniquely upon the weaknesses of others.
In warning, classic writers as diverse as Shakespeare, Dante, Machiavelli, Goethe, Hesse, Nietzsche,  the Biblical writers and even the childrens' fable, Pinocchio, tell a tale about the downfall of the prideful, the angry, the greedy and those lacking clear understanding about their own and others' deepest motives, often evil motives. Is it right or just, that a person, vulnerable by his or her own human weakness should be preyed upon?
When over-washed by strong emotion or unbridled desires, many become uniquely vulnerable to the manipulations of others, who simply seek to gain advantage; The Bible implores us to master our own emotions, lest we become slave to the very same.
Romans 6:16-18    And many of us do become slaves for this very reason.

Ultimately this slavery does not lead to our satisfaction, nor to the peace or the joy we seek for our hearts. It does, however, often lead to trickery and treachery.
It must have been this very experience that lead someone to write song lyrics so poignant and title them, "Back Stabbers," a spiritual awakening for sure.