How to Make Nudity a Spiritual Experience

Nudity can be an uncomfortable experience for many people raised in cultures that associate shame with the body. Other traditions, however, locate the sacred in the unadorned flesh and celebrate life by shucking clothes along with limiting beliefs. In India, naked saddhus (holy men) wander the countryside performing puja, or worship, to Hindu gods and as a demonstration of giving up worldly attachments. To these ascetics, the body itself is a form of clothing, personal possession and false modesty, covering the spirit. Early Christians, as well, practiced nudity as a form of physical prayer. The Brotherhood of the Free Spirit in the Middle Ages worshipped in the nude, saying anything created by God was incapable of sin or shame. The Adamites, of fifteenth century Europe, practiced religious nudity, saying they were much like Adam and Eve in their original state of naked innocence. Modern groups such as Wiccans, also engage in “sky-clad” rituals. To many, and maybe you, physical modesty is the last shred of spiritual pride, clothing the soul from divine scrutiny. Here's how to begin getting comfortable with nudity as a form of meditation:

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Things to keep in mind:
   Start fully dressed, as if you were going to work or out shopping.
   Slowly and mindfully remove each single garment.
   Stand or sit depending on the environment and your comfort level, although standing during the exercise makes more of an impact, both spiritually and physically.
   Fold each article slowly and carefully, almost sadly as you finish.
   If comfortable, use a full-length mirror as you do the steps, viewing yourself as though you were both teacher and student, guru and devotee, goddess and worshipper.
   The entire process of getting naked for a higher purpose should take a minimum of five minutes and can be as long as half an hour. The more mindfully and deliberately you commit yourself, the longer it should take. The more completely you abandon yourself to the steps, the better the results.
   You’ll feel self-conscious and even weird doing this at first. Of course! Those feelings are the defensive and habitual responses of the brain to the first movements of spiritual freedom. You can peel away those knee-jerk responses along with your clothes. So go ahead and feel funny about this. Awareness of our shame can be fuel for change. Resistance can sometimes be the approach of real experience.
2. Remove your wallet, cell phone, I.D., handbag and money, saying aloud (preferably) or silently, “I remove money, technology and definition from my soul.”
   Speaking out loud is also a form of verbal nudity, exposing our secret, clothed selves to hearing rather than eyes. Speaking silently can be a form of false modesty and concealment. But take this process a step at a time, removing inhibitions and taking personal risks only when you feel comfortable.
   Pause for a moment or so before proceeding to the next step and maintain an attitude of mindfulness, even reverence.
   Removing your shirt, bra or top, say, “I remove heartlessness from my soul.”
   Pause.
3. Removing your shoes and socks, say,” I remove limitations from my soul.”
   Pause.
   Removing your pants or skirt, say, “I remove shame from my soul.”
   Pause.
4. Removing any underwear and remaining articles such as watches or jewelry, say,” I remove solitude from my soul.”
   Pause.
   Spend several minutes or so breathing deeply, experiencing each part of your unclad body.
   Place your open palms on your chest, and say, “This is my soul.”
   Close with a prayer, mantra or poem that resonates with your personal spiritual longings.
5. After you are fully nude and comfortable, you can proceed to meditate like a saddhu, pray like an Adamite, do yoga, your housework or even read more articles on eHow. Increase the length of naked time you spend until nudity becomes as comfortable as wearing clothes. After all, that nude body you’re now wearing is still a form of clothing. And it’s your own designer brand, as well!
   You can practice spiritual nudity regularly before undressing at home, facing stressful situations, taking a shower or as a regular meditation. After this exercise becomes second nature, expand your new-found spiritual freedom to include experiences with other people at nudist camps, spiritual retreats or clothing optional beaches.
   Now that you know that nudity is next to Godliness, go skinny-dipping in the ocean you call your life. Get wet with holiness!