The feeling of being completely nude

[Gary Naturist]

I feel a bit silly asking for input on the following, but it's something that continues to puzzle me, so here goes. Perhaps you can provide some insight from your own experience.

I'm trying to find a way to describe the very pleasant feeling of being completely nude / completely bare. I'm quite sure that others have the same feeling, but I've never discussed with anybody how to describe it.

I experience a "special feeling" when my whole body is exposed to the air. It's a pleasant feeling, and might be described imperfectly as a feeling of bodily freedom.

I would like to be able to explain why it's such a big deal to be wearing nothing as compared to wearing minimal clothing such as very light, loose shorts, or a tiny speedo or a short, light sarong.

I'll suggest some things that may add up to produce the "special feeling":

1. The exposure of my genitals and butt to the air.
2. The lack of anything constricting my waist.
3. The pleasant feelings of my genitals "hanging loose" -- moving slightly with my motions and brushing against my legs.
4. The uninterrupted flow of air around my body.
5. A feeling of vulnerability when wearing nothing at all.

The first four are physiological, the fifth is psychological. Somehow, I think that the feeling of vulnerability is significant.

The feeling is clearly associated with the extent of bareness. For example, the feeling is stronger when I am completely nude than when I am nude except for sandals.

Is this feeling just the total of the effects mentioned above, or is it something else?

Gary

[Gary Naturist]

I feel a bit silly asking for input on the following, but it's something that continues to puzzle me, so here goes. Perhaps you can provide some insight from your own experience.

I'm trying to find a way to describe the very pleasant feeling of being completely nude / completely bare. I'm quite sure that others have the same feeling, but I've never discussed with anybody how to describe it.

I experience a "special feeling" when my whole body is exposed to the air. It's a pleasant feeling, and might be described imperfectly as a feeling of bodily freedom.

I would like to be able to explain why it's such a big deal to be wearing nothing as compared to wearing minimal clothing such as very light, loose shorts, or a tiny speedo or a short, light sarong.

I'll suggest some things that may add up to produce the "special feeling":

1. The exposure of my genitals and butt to the air.
2. The lack of anything constricting my waist.
3. The pleasant feelings of my genitals "hanging loose" -- moving slightly with my motions and brushing against my legs.
4. The uninterrupted flow of air around my body.
5. A feeling of vulnerability when wearing nothing at all.

The first four are physiological, the fifth is psychological. Somehow, I think that the feeling of vulnerability is significant.

The feeling is clearly associated with the extent of bareness. For example, the feeling is stronger when I am completely nude than when I am nude except for sandals.

Is this feeling just the total of the effects mentioned above, or is it something else?

Gary

[C]

I'd describe my feeling as an exhilaration. I think it has a lot to do with feeling vulnerable. You are opening yourself up. It's like getting a big secret out in the open. You're no longer worried about it (or you body in this case) being exposed. You've taken the steps to do it yourself.

It's like opening up with lots and lots of people (in a social situatio), without even having to say a word.

[Rik]

I'm not sure about vulnerability as that normally induces anxiety rather than exhilaration. I feel the psychological feeling outweighs the physical comfort.

Initially I suspect people are exhilarated by nudity because it's something daring, something outside of the cultural norms. But once those rather superficial feelings wear off then a deeper sense of contentment takes over.

For me it creates a feeling of being an integral part of my surroundings rather than being an observer. Sounds a bit tree-huggy doesn't it? But I don't think of it like that. I'm certainly not a follower of new age philosophies, cranky diets or anything like that but I do have quite a strong sense that human society is extraordinarily arrogant in assuming its superior position over the rest of the natural world. So to be naked, especially in the open, where you have divested yourself of man-made artifacts perhaps creates a feeling of belonging to nature as a whole rather than to man as a species. And maybe this explains Gary's sense that the feeling is stronger when he removes his footwear. I can certainly identify with that.

Rik

[Vin]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rik:
For me it creates a feeling of being an integral part of my surroundings rather than being an observer. Sounds a bit tree-huggy doesn't it? But I don't think of it like that. I'm certainly not a follower of new age philosophies, cranky diets or anything like that but I do have quite a strong sense that human society is extraordinarily arrogant in assuming its superior position over the rest of the natural world. So to be naked, especially in the open, where you have divested yourself of man-made artifacts perhaps creates a feeling of belonging to nature as a whole rather than to man as a species. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>It does sound tree-huggy. Are you sure you're not Pagan? /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

I think the psychological aspect of nudism may be akin to riding a really good rollercoaster. It creates anxiety initially, but when you survive it you feel exhilirated. That feeling may last for quite a while.

[missouriboy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rik:
I'm not sure about vulnerability as that normally induces anxiety rather than exhilaration...
Rik <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I think the mention of vulnerability is on the right track. It does induce anxiety at first, but then the exhilaration comes from overcoming that anxiety, and realizing your contemporaries have done the same. This is what people are feeling amazed about, but don't have the words to express it.

There is a long booklet by an Eastern Dr., John Veltheim, that explains this thoroughly, along with the many other benefits of naturism, both physical and psychological. If I can find the link, I'll come back here and post it.

Good topic, folks. Good thoughts.

Here's the link to Dr. Veltheim's Naturism Booklet. (http://www.parama.com/html/body_naturism.html) It is fraught with distracting spelling, case, and punctuation errors, but the man is a brilliant doctor, not a linguist. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[bertirolioliolo potatolioliololiolo]

For me it just feels right, in the same way as drinking water feels right.
Someone has mentioned ' feeling at one with nature ' and that sums it up for me.

[Jochanaan]

Whole. My body is unified; the parts work together.

Aware. Every square centimeter tastes, touches, sees the air.

Loose. Clothes tighten my muscles; when I discard them tension goes with them.

Vulnerable. Not ashamed of my body; only of what others might think. (I expect this particular vulnerability to decrease with more experience in social nudity.)

Comfortable.

This is as close as I can come in words. Music is better.

[scottnc]

Being nude helps me feel more relaxed. I spent a lot of time shirtless as a teen. I always loved the warmth of the sun on my body and the breeze blowing across my chest. It felt great, but I never considered going nude.

My foray into home nudity didn't come till I was in my 40s & felt the need to step out of my comfort zone. My first time naked outside was two years ago when I bought my new house. It's the first place I've had with privacy on three sides, & the neighbors on the exposed side were usually gone. I was working in my yard shirtless one Sunday morning a couple of weeks after I moved in. I needed a short break & decided the sun felt so good on my upper body that I wanted to experience the same on the rest of my body. I slid out of my shorts, layed down on the hill in the grass, & felt totally relaxed. I covered up about 15 minutes later when I heard a small plane approaching & went back to my yard work.

I had a trip planned to Atlantic Beach the next week. It's close to Cape Lookout National Seashore which I hadn't visited for a while. I decided to go there, hoping there wouldn't be many people. I spent a couple of hours nude before I needed to walk back to catch my ferry back to Harkers Island.

The comfort of the sun & wind are my primary motivations for going nude outside. I'm reserve & not one to be an activist, so I'm careful to not be seen by others. My brother & a few of my friends know I enjoy being nude. One of the friends also enjoyed being nude & we spent some time together at his place, but he moved away.

My son is 20 & at college. He knows I enjoy being nude but is not comfortable with it, so I've covered up when he's visited. He told me the other week he'd like to come home & work this summer - he wants a break from his college town. He'll probably be here this weekend. I'll talk to him about my nudity & let him know I plan to be naked - in the house & outside once I get my back yard fenced. It will be up to him to decide if he can accept that. I don't expect him to be nude unless he wants to be nude, but I no longer feel the need to cover up when he's around.

I now enjoy the sun on my crotch & butt as much as I enjoy it on my chest & would like to spend some time at a resort. There are a couple of singles friendly clubs within a few hours of my house. I plan to contact them to see about a visit later this year. I'm glad I took those first steps into nudity & wish I'd done it earlier.

Being nude just seems and feels so natural. I find it VERY uncomfortable being bound up in restrictive clothing. I quit wearing underwear because it was too uncomfortable.

Clothing is totally unnatural and serves no useful purpose except when the weather is cold, which it often is here.

I couldn't think of anything better than to live and work in a nudist resort. That would be like heaven on earth for me. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[steevo]

A wonderful way to put it Jon-Marc, it would truly be heaven on earth if we could live and work naked.
For me it is a VERY strong feeling of stressless freedom. Just the mere thought of having to put clothes on is stressful for me. What will be look right, what will be pratical, what will comfortable, what do I have. God, life should not be this complicated.
I am 100% disabiled with PTSD. So I have spent over twenty years trying to learn how to get stress out of my life. And nothing in all that time has worked as well as being free of clothes. In an odd way the Army was that way for me. You never needed to think about what clothes you were going to wear. It was always the same.
I HATE CLOTHES!
Steevo Here /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Xen]

For me the great thing about being naked is that I don't feel vulnerable once I'm naked (asssuming it's a suitable naturist environment) and instead I just feel totally free and relaxed.

For example, after work nothing beats lying in a sauana, where it's hot, dark and peaceful and all the stresses of the day - including clothing - can be left behind.

After years of indoctrination that one must cover up there is something special about removing that lastpiece of clothing (and it is always the same piece that comes off last) and being totally nude.

[EricNY]

IF you could be nude whenever you wanted, would it still feel the same?......think about how good it feels to have clothes on all day, tight, clingy, uncomfortable clothes. All day. /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

Now take them off.... How good is that? AAAHHH what a relief. Feels good doesn't it? /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

If you could be nude 24 hrs a day 7 days a week, would it still feel as good to be nude, or would it just become the norm?

[missouriboy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ercNY:
...If you could be nude 24 hrs a day 7 days a week, would it still feel as good to be nude, or would it just become the norm? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I stayed nude for ten days straight once at a resort, except for about an hour in the middle to go after supplies, and I'm tellin' ya, it was great!

NOTE to all... I've edited my previous post with the link I promised.

[Hokienudist]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by missouriboy:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ercNY:
...If you could be nude 24 hrs a day 7 days a week, would it still feel as good to be nude, or would it just become the norm? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I stayed nude for ten days straight once at a resort, except for about an hour in the middle to go after supplies, and I'm tellin' ya, it was great!

NOTE to all... I've edited my previous post with the link I promised. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Spending 10 days straight nude sounds like heaven on earth to me. Hopefully in all our lifetimes we will be able to choose a job where we can work nude.

[Rik]

missouriboy

Thnaks for the link to Naked Beneath Your Clothing (http://www.parama.com/html/body_naturism.html). It has some really interesting ideas and I think that any non-nudists reading this would do well to set aside for a moment their intransigent attitudes towards nudity and have a look at the article.

The article concludes: "It is a tragedy that the human race has allowed itself to create such a complexity of negative rules and belief? systems around the body they have to live in from birth to death... By encouraging a healthy positive attitude to our bodies, we are encouraging a healthy relationship with our? mind, soul, spirit, and our environment."

As nudists we all, I guess, can identify with these sentiments. Such a pity that there are those who seek to treat the body as a perversion.

Rik

I'm pretty sure that if we could be nude ALL the time whenever and wherever we wanted, nudity would become much less of an oddity or novelty, and more commonplace.

However, since clothes serve no useful purpose other than to protect from the cold, I vote for the commonplace!

I would love for nudity to become commonplace where no one gives it a thought because everyone has learned that there is nothing obscene, embarrassing or shameful about the human body and have accepted others' nudity as natural, or they have embraced it themselves and are enjoying being natural the way we were meant to be.

I wouldn't care if I didn't get the same feeling I do now during the rare times that I can be nude outdoors at a resort. I just HATE clothes and LOVE being nude.

Of course, if that ever happened, nudist clubs and resorts could become a thing of the past since we could be nude all the time anywhere, and we wouldn't have to go somewhere and hide away in a private place to avoid "offending" those who are ashamed of their own bodies and embarrassed to others' bodies. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[missouriboy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rik:
...Such a pity that there are those who seek to treat the body as a perversion.

Rik <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>A pity, yes. And the tragedy is that those people ashamed of the vessel they are to spend their entire lives in, are the vast, vast majority.

[nudeM]

Just the feeling of having nothing on is an enjoyment in itself. Being able to relax without anything on, feeling the breeze hit the usually covered up areas, and being able to walk around without any restriction clothing is something I should have done years ago (I did, but only when no one else was home). Since last year, when I decided to "let it all hang out at home", seems my wife has become more and more accepting, although she does not participate. I still cover up in front of the kids, but there has been times, even she has walked around nude when the kids weren't around.

Here in California, the weather is beginning to warm up a little, so my nude outdoor activities are starting to take off. It's been too cold for the outdoors, so my "tan" has somewhat subsided, but the way the weather is starting to cooperate, my "tan" will eventually appear again. And, as a reminder, don't forget the sun tan lotion. I remember last year, I kind of let the sun shine too long on my genitals, and it was hell wearing anything, but I managed (didn't learn from years past).

Stay nude and stay happy. Just my two-cents worth.

[MikeyBear1964]

For me nudity a feeling of freedom. I'm free from the "uniform" I wear all day. It's a pure experience. One could be rich, poor, a doctor, a crossing guard a delivery person or a nun - none of it matters. It's about being in touch with one's self.

[Gary Naturist]

Many of the comments received talk about the feeling of freedom when naked. However, I'm trying to get a better handle on the precise physiological reasons.

I read the article behind the link "Naked beneath our clothes" mentioned in one of the posts. Excellent article. In it, the author talks about the fact that temperature differences across the body are eliminated when naked. That might be a factor.

However, the author also talks about the flow of chi (energy) throughout the body being uninterrupted when naked, in contrast to the flow when clothed, even minimally. Having pracised Tai Chi and Chi Gung in the past, I think that he may be on to something.

Gary

[missouriboy]

I'm glad my link was useful.

I think many of us discover what the good doctor is telling us, but we don't realize it in those terms and have no way of communicating it verbally. When I first read it, my reaction many times was, "Yeahhh, so that's it!!" It was like I knew it, but didn't know why!

[Trailscout]

I don't think a lot of people realize how important our sense of touch is and how much clothing cuts off our contact with the world around us. As a boy, my neighbors and I used to wear nothing but short pants all summer (Summer lasts 5 months where I live). But total nudity was still much more comfortable than even the briefest of garments. When one of my female cousins was 14, she told me that she envied the fact that I could go topless. I used to wish that I could play outside without even the shorts I wore.

At the risk of sounding like a treehugger, I too feel a greater connection with the rest of nature when I am nude outdoors. It seems so obvious that we were designed to live nude in the woods and meadows. Cities and clothes are bad ideas that should be consigned to the scrapheap of folly.

As a Christian, I also feel that nudity honors the ONE who designed the body. Why on earth would we dishonor our Creator by being ashamed of his greatest work of art, the nude human body?

[RIVERRAT]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gary Naturist:
I feel a bit silly asking for input on the following, but it's something that continues to puzzle me, so here goes. Perhaps you can provide some insight from your own experience.

I'm trying to find a way to describe the very pleasant feeling of being completely nude / completely bare. I'm quite sure that others have the same feeling, but I've never discussed with anybody how to describe it.

I experience a "special feeling" when my whole body is exposed to the air. It's a pleasant feeling, and might be described imperfectly as a feeling of bodily freedom.

I would like to be able to explain why it's such a big deal to be wearing nothing as compared to wearing minimal clothing such as very light, loose shorts, or a tiny speedo or a short, light sarong.

I'll suggest some things that may add up to produce the "special feeling":

1. The exposure of my genitals and butt to the air.
2. The lack of anything constricting my waist.
3. The pleasant feelings of my genitals "hanging loose" -- moving slightly with my motions and brushing against my legs.
4. The uninterrupted flow of air around my body.
5. A feeling of vulnerability when wearing nothing at all.

The first four are physiological, the fifth is psychological. Somehow, I think that the feeling of vulnerability is significant.

The feeling is clearly associated with the extent of bareness. For example, the feeling is stronger when I am completely nude than when I am nude except for sandals.

Is this feeling just the total of the effects mentioned above, or is it something else?

Gary <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Yes and your point is?????

[RIVERRAT]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ercNY:
IF you could be nude whenever you wanted, would it still feel the same?......think about how good it feels to have clothes on all day, tight, clingy, uncomfortable clothes. All day. /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

Now take them off.... How good is that? AAAHHH what a relief. Feels good doesn't it? /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

If you could be nude 24 hrs a day 7 days a week, would it still feel as good to be nude, or would it just become the norm? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>YES

[camaro]

My feeling on the subject is, it's different for everybody. I came here because I was curious about nudism. Recently I had the feeling that I had the tendency to be a nudist, but wasn't sure what being a true nudist meant. I won't go into detail but at different times during my childhood and early adulthood I experimented (I guess you'd call it) with nudism, but of coarse it was risky. I was raised in a very conservative family, so for me it may have been more risky than some others may have considered it. With my upbringing, I thought (until I started frequenting your site) that maybe there was something wrong with me and that this was some perverted pre-occupation that I had. I know now, that's not true although I'm still not willing to be open with anybody that I know, about it yet. I've read allot of your posts and there are those who seem to be exhibitionists. I don't mean that in a negative way, but some have a stronger desire to be around other nudists and then there are those that are comfortable anywhere, even if they were the only ones without any clothes. I kind of envy that confidence and relaxed attitude, but it's not how I am. I'd be perfectly happy if I lived in a very secluded area where I could just go nude outside, even if just by myself. I guess since I come from such a conservaitve background the experience of walking onto a nude beach would be a bit more heart pounding for me. Those of you who were raised with a more open attitude don't have the level of anxiety that I would, and for you, being without clothes is just more natural. It's not natural for me, but it does feel good. I hope someday I can experience what all of you do.
Sorry for the long post, I hope there was something in all of that, that made sense. If not, thanks for listeneing.

[Trailscout]

Camaro,

I used to feel the same way you did. Why go to a nudist resort or nude beach, when you could just find a secluded spot to be yourself?

Well, nudists are a pretty diverse bunch and I don't feel an instant bond with every nudist I meet. But we need each other to create places of refuge and welcome and clothes-free sanity in a wacky overdressed world. And we can learn a lot from each other. A couple trying to counteract the influence of non-nudist classmates on their son's self-image can reach out to another couple that has already been there.

I don't go to nudist resorts or nudist events so people can see me nude or so I can see them nude. I go because that is the community that I belong to. Nudists are my tribe or ethnic group. I didn't realize that right away, but it will come to you in time.

We are a lot stronger in community that we are solo. If you live a long way from the nearest community, then try to start your own. We are beginning a new community for people in Northwest Georgia. We just have a Web forum now, but we are planning events and making friends. You can do the same.

[scottnc]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by camaro:
[QB]...I came here because I was curious about nudism. Recently I had the feeling that I had the tendency to be a nudist, but wasn't sure what being a true nudist meant. I won't go into detail but at different times during my childhood and early adulthood I experimented (I guess you'd call it) with nudism, but of coarse it was risky. I was raised in a very conservative family, so for me it may have been more risky than some others may have considered it. With my upbringing, I thought (until I started frequenting your site) that maybe there was something wrong with me and that this was some perverted pre-occupation that I had. I know now, that's not true although I'm still not willing to be open with anybody that I know, about it yet.
...but some have a stronger desire to be around other nudists and then there are those that are comfortable anywhere, even if they were the only ones without any clothes. I kind of envy that confidence and relaxed attitude, but it's not how I am.
...I guess since I come from such a conservaitve background the experience of walking onto a nude beach would be a bit more heart pounding for me. Those of you who were raised with a more open attitude don't have the level of anxiety that I would, and for you, being without clothes is just more natural. It's not natural for me, but it does feel good. I hope someday I can experience what all of you do....

Camaro,
I relate well to many of the things you said, especially about coming from a background that looks down on nudity & the anxiety of being nude.

Like you, I experimented with nudity off & on as a teen, again in my early 20s, and some in my 30s. I did not become a home nudist till in my 40s after my divorce. I feel no anxiety now about being nude at home or in my yard, which is secluded on three sides. I'll be putting up a fence this spring & plan to be nude outside a lot more.

I went to Florida on vacation in Feb 2002 & made up my mind to spend an afternoon at Apollo Beach. I hoped to find naked people enjoying the sun, the sand, & the ocean. When I arrived they had a sign saying the nude section was closed for security. I walked along the section anyway about 1/4 mile. There were only two nude people. One was an older man sitting close to the vegetation who kept motioning to people to come up while spreading his legs. The other guy was standing & thrusting forward. Both were making sexual gestures which I did not expect based on comments I'd read about Apollo Beach, so I left.

My sister gave me a book titled "The New Personalily Self-Portrait - Why You Think, Work, Love, and Act the Way You Do" when I was going through my divorce. It talks about 14 personality styles published by the American Pschiatric Association & includes a personality profile test. I've taken several personality profiles at work & in school, but this one came the closest to describing me in ways I understood than any other test.

My dominant style is "Solitary." I enjoy being around people at work but at the end of the day, I'm quite happy to go home & have some solitude.

The book helped me understand my ex's personality traits. I can honestly say we are good friends but we never should have married. Our son's dominant trait is "Idiosyncratic" and that describes him quite well.

In addition to our dominant trait, there are other traits that influence how we act. My other stronger traits are Serious & Sensitive. Two of my three highest traits, Solitary & Sensitive, aren't hightly social traits. Thus, I no longer wonder why I don't really enjoy going to parties or social events just to chit chat.

My weakest traits are Adventurous & Aggressive, which may explain why I did not just strip down at Apollo Beach away from the two men whose actions were offensive to me.

I hope to visit a landed club this year if it works into my schedule & finances. It will be my first venture into social nudity. It will most likely be in the early spring when I anticipate there will be fewer visitors. For one reason, as a single, I expect that most clubs perfer to have couples or families during their busier vacation times in the summer. I think Whispering Pines accepts singles if they call ahead, at least according to their site. (I understand you should always call ahead before going to a landed club.)

Ironically, today at work was the first time I've spoken with someone (other than my brother & my son) about beign nude at home. We've had a lot of people out of work due to illness, & I just mentioned that I'm usually in bed or resting on the couch naked when I'm sick. His only comment was to be careful about letting my cats jump up on my lap. (That could be another post about my most painful nudist experience - I did not discuss with him.)

NetNude was the first naturist site I came across on the Internet. It was okay, but I think Clothesfree.com does the best job of showing how good & comfortable the nude lifestyle can be. The photos are natural showing people doing normal things, just without clothes. Also, the text is helpful to a late comer (like me) to the nude scene & informative. I congratulate the administrators & thank them for hosting an excellent site.

I hope this post isn't too long. There isn't anything perverse about being nude. Welcome aboard, Camaro, and enjoy the ride, (pun partially intended.)

[Jochanaan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by camaro:
My feeling on the subject is, it's different for everybody. I came here because I was curious about nudism. Recently I had the feeling that I had the tendency to be a nudist, but wasn't sure what being a true nudist meant. I won't go into detail but at different times during my childhood and early adulthood I experimented (I guess you'd call it) with nudism, but of coarse it was risky. I was raised in a very conservative family, so for me it may have been more risky than some others may have considered it. With my upbringing, I thought (until I started frequenting your site) that maybe there was something wrong with me and that this was some perverted pre-occupation that I had. I know now, that's not true although I'm still not willing to be open with anybody that I know, about it yet. I've read allot of your posts and there are those who seem to be exhibitionists. I don't mean that in a negative way, but some have a stronger desire to be around other nudists and then there are those that are comfortable anywhere, even if they were the only ones without any clothes. I kind of envy that confidence and relaxed attitude, but it's not how I am. I'd be perfectly happy if I lived in a very secluded area where I could just go nude outside, even if just by myself. I guess since I come from such a conservaitve background the experience of walking onto a nude beach would be a bit more heart pounding for me. Those of you who were raised with a more open attitude don't have the level of anxiety that I would, and for you, being without clothes is just more natural. It's not natural for me, but it does feel good. I hope someday I can experience what all of you do.
Sorry for the long post, I hope there was something in all of that, that made sense. If not, thanks for listeneing. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Camaro, I understand your mixed feelings. I too came from a Christian, fairly conservative family, and until two and a half years ago felt as if my own desire for nudity was slightly perverted. But my viewpoint was changed when I found a Christian nudist web site and started checking into what the Bible actually said, or didn't say, about nudity.

However, my family was also into the arts. There were always art books and National Geographics around our house. My primary interests are music and literature, but my exposure, no pun intended (yeah, right!), to nudity in the visual arts prepared me to accept it in other cases too. Unfortunately I haven't yet had the privilege of being naked socially, but that's coming, and I expect it to be wonderful.

Rest assured, the Bible as a whole doesn't prohibit nudity. There are a couple of prohibitions in Exodus, but those are only for the priests during sacrifices. (That passage in Leviticus 18 is generally interpreted as prohibiting sexual intercourse with near kin, not literal nudity.) There are plenty of study materials on the Web if you're interested.

Blessings,

jochanaan

"I went to Florida on vacation in Feb 2002 & made up my mind to spend an afternoon at Apollo Beach. I hoped to find naked people enjoying the sun, the sand, & the ocean. When I arrived they had a sign saying the nude section was closed for security. I walked along the section anyway about 1/4 mile."

Scott, you shouldn't have gone past the sign. The Cape is a few miles south of there and when they close it, it is because of a national security issue. You stood a huge chance of being arrested and detained indefinitely. Those national security folks don't kid around.

Even worse, you were making things worse for the other nudists that go there by not being where you belonged. That beach was a lot of hard work to make it legal and we don't need a few messing it up for the rest of us.

Canaveral National Seashore has a phone number you can call to make sure the beach is open. The south end of the park (Playalinda) is closed during shuttle launches and some of the park was closed during the shuttle crash recently.

One more point.... if you go there and see things going on that shouldn't be don't let it slide. Go tell a ranger.