Category: Miscellaneous

A naturist’s view on morals and ethics

Morals and ethics

Things that many people like to hold in high regard. Certainly when it comes to naturism. To many non-naturists, naturism isn’t ethical nor moral.

What are morals?

Moral - right and wrongAccording to Merriam-Webster, the definition of moral is: of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior.

In that light no one can win the discussion on morality when the two parties are either in favour of, or against the nude lifestyle.

This shows that morals are subjective. Personal. Group or culture related. What one finds right, the other finds wrong. Is eating people wrong? Ask a cannibal.

What are ethics?

EthicsAccording to the same Merriam-Webster, the definition of ethics is: a set of moral principles : a theory or system of moral values, the present-day materialistic ethic, an old-fashioned work ethic —often used in plural but singular or plural in construction, an elaborate ethics, Christian ethics.

So morals are the building blocks of ethics. Define a set of morals, wrap a ribbon around that set and give it a name.

Again this is a subjective assessment. Personal. Cultural. Brought about by your environment.

The ethics of naturism

I am sure everyone can come up with reasons why naturism isn’t ethical. You just have to consider naturism from the mind of a hard-core non-naturist. Suddenly exposing your nude body to others isn’t ethical. Allowing (or even forcing) children to see nudity isn’t ethical.

All those are things that serious naturists have moved past a long time ago. From ‘our’ (in any case my) point of view it’s not ethical to deprive your body from sunlight. It’s not ethical to look at people and judge them based on their clothes.

I’m sure you can all come up with some ethics that contradict between several groups. If you have examples, I’d like to hear about them. 🙂

A question to you. About the Naturist’s Library.

This is a question for you all.

I’ve made some changes to the Naturist’s Library pages. Yes, PageS! Now there’s another thing I could add, but I really need to know if there’s some kind of interest for that.

At the moment there’s just the basic info for a book on the page. Title, author, purchase links, and (as one of the recent changes) if it’s a volume in a series.

I could extend that with (part of) the back cover text that comes with most books.

At the moment a book entry looks like this:

Book entry

I could add a little button/option/gimmick/whatever to each entry that will let you see the back cover text, for instance when you hover the mouse over it. However, that involves a lot of work. Not creating the option, that’s the fun part, but adding all those texts to the information. Note there are over 150 books in the library so I’d have to go over all of them and copy that text.

So here’s my question: how valuable is that? Would you appreciate that? Would you use it? Would it be a good addition to the page?

A naturist’s view on respect

Respect? Why address that?

If that’s your reaction to this post then either you’re wonderful or you don’t understand. Either way, read on and see for yourself if this was a waste of time. 😀

What is respect?

Let’s have a look at Wikipedia:

Respect is a positive feeling or action shown towards someone or something considered important, or held in high esteem or regard; it conveys a sense of admiration for good or valuable qualities; and it is also the process of honoring someone by exhibiting care, concern, or consideration for their needs or feelings.

respectRespect is something easily overlooked, or even misinterpreted as just any kind of attention.

It’s also something of key importance in naturism (and real nudism).

Objectification

In an interview I heard an older lady talk about respect. She said that, in the ‘outside’ society (meaning the world outside a naturist area), women are trained to wear these clothes, put on that make-up, behave such an so, all to be acceptable. That same ‘outside’ society trains men to be on the lookout for such women. She said also that such a society implicitly trains men to see women as objects.

Objectification

This is exactly what the industry is after. Creating impossible goals for people. The reason for nervous breakdowns, cosmetic surgery (lunacy, surgery should be saved to rescue people’s lives) and a never-ending stream of frustration.

Naturism and respect

a good time

The lady then spoke about her experience at naturist resorts. People there treat you with respect, she said. Men don’t need to undress you with their eyes, because there’s nothing to undress. They look at your face, talk with you because they want to talk with you. And that implies respect.

Most amazing fact about this lady was that, as a child, she’d been sexually abused between the ages of 10 and 20. She said that in the ‘outside’ world she often overdressed as to appear sexless, and still she felt insecure. In a naturist environment she felt safe, respected, accepted, and she felt no fear at all.

Isn’t that amazing? Isn’t that beautiful? How much baring yourself can bring?

Do you have experiences of respect that are related to naturism where you would have expected them to occur in the ‘outside’ world as well? I’d love to hear about them…

Be happy. Be safe. Be nude. And… be respected!

A naturist’s view on “forest bathing’

Forest bathing?

Yep. Forest bathing. It’s not that you shower with leaves (although it’s an option), but it’s a Japanese practice. It merely means that you go among the trees. Trees and other forms of nature have a positive influence on people. They bring peace and rest, and stress levels go down rapidly when among trees.

In the forest

I love going into the forest and lucky me, I have a small one right across the street. Forests are good. They provide air, shade, good smells (usually) and… you can bathe in them. Quoting from the site I linked to up there:

Forest bathing—basically just being in the presence of trees—became part of a national public health program in Japan in 1982 when the forestry ministry coined the phrase shinrin-yoku and promoted topiary as therapy.

The entire article is quite a read but worth the while, I think. It tells you so much about trees and being in a forest. There’s no need to walk, run or do anything. Leave your Fitbit at home, there’s no race, no record to break. The only thing you should break there is the tidal wave of stress and other impressions that life throws at you.

The article doesn’t mention nudity so if you’re looking for nekkid people you’re out of luck, but if you’re there and you have the opportunity… take off your stuff and enjoy the forest in the most natural way. Naked.

A naturist’s view on the perversion of beauty

Perversion of beauty?

Yes. It happens. All around us. The thought that naturists stand for, that every body is a good body, isn’t supported nor carried by everyone.

As I was listening to the November 2009 episode of the Naturist Living Show podcast, a show I can really recommend, I heard so many things that struck me and rang my bells that I had to write this post about it.

So, what’s the buzz?

In the podcast I heard (among other things) a story about a young woman who apparently looked good and healthy, who was incredibly influenced by the media and their unrealistic goals of “beauty”. She had decided to contact a plastic surgeon who would make all kinds of fake alterations to her body to make her “beautiful”.

Unreal beauty

There would be breast implants, a “tummy tuck” and a few other “improvements”, which she wanted to get done as a “surprise” for her husband who was away. (Image is not of said young woman.)

Now really… who would want to improve a body when there’s nothing wrong with it? And that only because Supermodelthe outside world is proclaiming that you are not good enough unless you look like Kate Moss, to name one of the super models that clearly are the basis of existence for many woman.

It’s a shame and it angers me tremendously that wonderful people with what, a flaw, a wrinkle, a tummy, stretch marks… that such good, healthy, beautiful people feel compelled to obey the words of a bunch of lunatics who are only after their money. Because that, of course, is the name of the game. Beauty products that cost hands full of money. Plastic surgery isn’t the cheapest kind either. And for what? To be turned into unreal, plastic versions of themselves?

Photoshopped model

People who have no wrinkle, who are “industrial beauties” and whose cheeks probably will crack when they try to laugh (if their plastified cheeks actually allow them to laugh)?

Stop the plastification of people!

Real people are much better in my opinion. The true value shouldn’t be put on someone’s outside. That’s not going to last, no matter how much cash you throw at plastic surgeons, pill mongers and diet advisers. In my view it’s much healthier to cultivate your inner beauty.

It’s something that will cost you less and bring you much more. Be beautiful the naturist’s way. Trust me, there are more people like us, with our flaws and flabs, than there are industrial grade beauties. We’ll outnumber you always. And we’re far happier.

 

A naturist’s view on the normal life

Naturists and the normal life.

Yes. Naturists lead normal lives. As I said before, we drive cars and we have to take things with us.

Now there’s a TeamNaturist project going on to put a lot of this into view:

Click the image for a larger version

If you want to participate, please send an e-mail to teamnaturist@t-online.de. You can trust the person who initiated this; he’s a good person and dedicated naturist. Have a look at his twitter feed if you’re still not convinced.

Really, this is for a good cause. Our cause. A naturist cause. Björ hasn’t received any contributions from ladies yet, nor from people of colour. Please support his cause. He and I both appreciate it!

A naturist’s view on pockets.

Pockets. What about them when you have none?

Pocket

Pockets. We all know them and put things in them. A big question for non-naturists and new naturists is: where do I put my things? After all, a proper, modern human being isn’t complete without keys, a phone, paperwork, a wallet and what not.

There are no pockets in your skin.

paul nude lanzaroteAbsolutely true, and that’s how I like it best. If you’re a genetically or surgically modified human who now has pockets, do step forward and tell us about your experiences.

Having no pockets has made me clever about taking things with me.

First necessity: a bag. Consider that one big pocket and you’re already set.

Second necessity: don’t take the kitchen sink with you.

Be clever about what you really need. Are you on vacation and you’re not going to drive, leave car keys and paperwork in your tent, bungalow, hotel room, wherever you stay. It makes for lighter walking. Walking in warm weather? Take something to drink with you. Don’t be stupid and risk dehydration. Do you need your wallet if you’re not going to stop anywhere? Leave it ‘at home’. Same if there’s nowhere to pay for anything; why take the thing with you?

Break the things-obsession.

This is where we get closer to nature-ism, which isn’t for everyone. Nature didn’t invent keys, wallets, phones and all that. If you can do without those, even for a few hours when out and about, do not take those things with you. Learn to live without facebook, twitter, snapchat and whatever more or less social medium you frequent for a while. You might be shocked to find how much you see of your environment when you’re not staring at your phone all the time. You might even meet people. 😉 And if you’re lucky they’re inclined to be naked, like you.

phone zombies

Those tweets will wait for you to come back, trust me.

A naturist’s view on reading

A view on reading?

Okay, if this surprises you, you haven’t been paying much attention. Hibernationists excluded of course, they have a valid (I hope!) reason.

Paul readingYes. Naturists read books. And whenever possible this naturist likes to read in the nude. There’s nothing to it really. Just make yourself comfortable, get a good book, and you’re ready to go.

It’s that easy. Although finding a good book might throw you at times.

Why in the nude?

Well, I did say comfortable, didn’t I? As long as you’re comfortable, you’re in the right state to read. If you feel great and ready to read for a while when you’re uncomfortable, I’d love to hear from you how you do that. And certainly also why.

And what do naturists read?

Anything. Literally anything. Horror like you can expect from Anthony Crowley (@crowley_anthony on Twitter, he’s a naturist), poetry and introspective works like Robert Longpré writes (find out more about him on our new site NaturistFiction.org!) but there’s no limit to what naturists read. Romance? Historical fiction? Sure. Detectives? Fantasy and Science Fiction? Why not? And no, that doesn’t necessarily have to be naturist-related fiction. I can enjoy a good Agatha Christie story, or most anything by Ursula Leguin.

So who reads in the nude?

Probably more people than you’d guess if you’re not a naturist yourself. People in parks can do that, people at home, at a camping or anywhere that you can take a book to. In New York there’s an actual group of woman, ToplessPulp reading in parkunited in ToplessPulp, that get together and read topless in parks all over New York. This because women can legally be topless in that city (even when many police people don’t seem to be aware of that).

When I go to our local nude beach I always have a book with me. Reading’s fun and you can do it in most places.

So there you have it. Reading in the nude isn’t something awkward or mad or new. It’s nude, nothing else.

Next time you get your hands on a good book, try it yourself. Experience the ease of reading without clothes pulling in places you don’t like pulling. You could be in for a nice surprise!

 

A naturist’s view on yoga

Naturists and Yoga

YogaMany people may not understand the connection. Yoga is something that others do, tying themselves into complicated knots and holding weird positions forever.

Just like, indeed, the lady to the right who also appeared in the Sunday Noon Nudist set recently.

And this was not by accident. 😉

What is Yoga?

Yoga practice
Yoga practice at a beach.

According to the mighty Google:

Yoga – noun
It is a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practised for health and relaxation.
Yoga is the Sanskrit word for ‘union’.

Don’t get your knickers in a knot (I love this one with respect to naturists!). Yoga is something for everyone. If you can sit or stand, you can do yoga. If you can breathe, you can do yoga. (If you are not breathing and reading this, tell me how you do that.)

You can do yoga in any form, shape or fashion. It’s up to you how far you want to go. There are simple breathing exercises, simple stretching exercises. If you can’t bend well on your own, you can hold on to a chair. Yoga isn’t the complicated things that most people think.

YogiThis man is taking his yoga to some extremes with his extremities.

Yes, this too is yoga but I’ve never gone this far. I like my bones in place and in one piece. (I also like to eat more. 🙂 )

Naked yoga.

Since yoga is something you very much do with your body, it’s always advised to practice yoga with as loose-fitting clothes as possible. Well, how much easier is it then to not use clothing at all. Naked yoga (Google, ) is becoming “a thing” more and more all over the world, which is understandable. Moving without being hindered by clothes is the best, even when many people don’t know this yet.

Naked yoga

If you are interested in more things yoga, visit yogabasics.com (). You might get enthused. And remember, anything you learn you can do naked in the comfort of you home. (Note that I am not connected to this website, it’s just a courtesy link. 🙂 )