In View of Naturism

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

SECRET 

by Madonna
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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.

The Breath of Dawn

no confessions

I loved you before I knew your name
The first time I saw you
What be your name
Earnestly I wished to know

your voice like music
speaking first shyly
and then, later
slyly
softly humming a tune
bright

Eyes, liquid darkness
passing over me

like the sun, your smile
shines
kisses on my face
Sweetly, the moon
regards the sun
brilliant

lights
obscure lights
illumine

a touch
takes hold
time unfolds

days go by
all remains
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Some thoughts about confession. Many hear confession and think law, think church, think oh-no. For some time the title of this poem did not click with me. I found the words and the meaning of the poem not consonant with its title. Seems like a "confession," but no, it's not. I recently read in Flannigan's book about transformations. She discusses the difference between apology and confession. The big difference according to her is that a confession is disclosure of something previously secret that another party would not or could not have had any knowledge of prior to disclosure. Makes sense.

On the other hand, an apology is acknowledgment of some 'no, not-good'  that both parties are aware of which directly affects their ongoing interactions. Love isn't a secret when both parties are in on it. This poem is not an apology nor a confession. When we approach the confessional in some church, the intent there is to bring light into our darker spaces, to open up breathing room, to free ourselves from the dark, deep burdens we carry, and to replace those weights with a new sense of self, and a renewed connection to the Spirit and the Creator. That's a confession, and it has a place in love, the breath of dawn.