I always am interested in hearing about people who, for many different reasons, are naked in public. The largest groups, who do this as part their beliefs, are the Sadhus and the Jains in India. In India, public nudity might even be met with being stoned to death by the general populace! The aforementioned groups, on the other hand, are quite tolerated, and I might say enjoyed. Very good post.
If you want to know more about the Gymnosophists, I have written the only available book on the topic, Seekers of the Naked Truth: Collected Writings on the Gymnosophists and Related Shramana Religions. The last time someone did that was in 1665. And despite the definition in the article, they were certainly not Hindus. I have also written a film script on the topic, Seekers of the Naked Truth, available in the second expanded edition of my book, Naturist Writings of Paul LeValley, Including Movie Reviews. Both are available from my web site, paullevalley.com/books, or at higher prices on Amazon.
I have long pondered the difference between nudists and naturists and this article is the closest I have come to an understanding of the distinction. Well done. The history of nudism through its religious adherents, and latterly protesters, was illuminating.
Nick, Thank you for your article. There is a spectrum of behaviors over the eons that have included social nakedness (See 1996 "N" 15.3 113-124). Each person has their own level of comfort and acceptance of when being clothes free is best. Hygiene is linked to bathing in water and heat. Spiritual practices are linked to removing oneself from the material work as well as accessing its natural attributes be they rain, moonlight, tellurian currents, negative ions or other stated values. Mental and cultural practices are linked to protests and confronting the current norms of society. There are also the pleasure seekers such as the hedonists, Bohemians, swingers and now lifestylers.
Cec Cinder's "The Nudist Idea" documents the factors that came together in the late 19th century to become the definition of nudism with its absence of clothing, alcohol, tobacco, animal flesh, and pornography, while engaging in regimented physical exercise. It became a community of health minded individuals, however it was restrictive to physical places. The Naturists wanted to focus on the social nakedness aspects but in public areas to promote general body acceptance and fostering self-esteem. You are correct that hours of discussions and gallons of ink have not resolved a strict definition between nudism and naturism, but knowing the history from whence we have come, is foundational to knowing how to describe who we are. Thank you for this informative background.
This is excellent, Nick, and probably the best exposé of the essential difference between the terms, and their relationship to each other.
I grew up in a rural family where clothes didn't matter. On weekends and school holidays, we just didn't bother with clothes, especially in the warmer months. It wasn't until adulthood that I discovered that there were actual philosophies - "isms" - attached to not wearing clothes. I'm still not even sure whether or not I wear either the nudist or naturist label !!
I have a long time keen inteerst in the history of naturism/nudism and appreciate learning quite of a bit more in this esaay of the beginnings of our way of life. And see that Nick participates in the World Naked Bike Ride, as I do. Have particpated in it in a number of cities in the US and UK and can think of no better way to celebrate body freedom and having a terrific time doing so !!
Nick! Thank you so much for this article! I loved it! (And I loved your Naked Hermit book) I have always been fascinated by the intersection between nudism and spirituality and it's probably what got me into nudism originally, as well as the topic of nudity among Celtic warriors. Thanks again for your inspiration and research, and for being inclusive to all spiritual paths that include nudity within an academic context. Look forward to your next book!
Thanks Kane, so pleased you liked The Naked Hermit book. It does appeal to spiritual naturists more than any other readers, so it never sold that many copies but I wrote it for the love of the subject, and love hearing other naturists who get it too. My next book is a big one about nature spirituality... still in the research stages but I will get it done :-)
Had so many really lovely replies to this feature, all of them have been a real boost, and thanks for yours.
Did the gymnosophists really "go out of their way" to be unclothed, or is it the textile users, who have to set up a whole industry to collect materials, break them down, process them, weave them, adjust sizing, put them on, take them off and wash them, repair and replace, etc, who truly "go out of their way"
Little things like these language slants betray the ever present textile brainwash that we are all victim to, and it's as if no one is concerned enough to point it out.
It's me, I'm "no one", hi.
What actions did the gymnosophists have to perform that exceeds the multitudinous and constant daily actions of textile users in order to maintain their ways of living, to substantiate the notion they "[went] out of their way"?
I always am interested in hearing about people who, for many different reasons, are naked in public. The largest groups, who do this as part their beliefs, are the Sadhus and the Jains in India. In India, public nudity might even be met with being stoned to death by the general populace! The aforementioned groups, on the other hand, are quite tolerated, and I might say enjoyed. Very good post.
If you want to know more about the Gymnosophists, I have written the only available book on the topic, Seekers of the Naked Truth: Collected Writings on the Gymnosophists and Related Shramana Religions. The last time someone did that was in 1665. And despite the definition in the article, they were certainly not Hindus. I have also written a film script on the topic, Seekers of the Naked Truth, available in the second expanded edition of my book, Naturist Writings of Paul LeValley, Including Movie Reviews. Both are available from my web site, paullevalley.com/books, or at higher prices on Amazon.
I have long pondered the difference between nudists and naturists and this article is the closest I have come to an understanding of the distinction. Well done. The history of nudism through its religious adherents, and latterly protesters, was illuminating.
Nick, Thank you for your article. There is a spectrum of behaviors over the eons that have included social nakedness (See 1996 "N" 15.3 113-124). Each person has their own level of comfort and acceptance of when being clothes free is best. Hygiene is linked to bathing in water and heat. Spiritual practices are linked to removing oneself from the material work as well as accessing its natural attributes be they rain, moonlight, tellurian currents, negative ions or other stated values. Mental and cultural practices are linked to protests and confronting the current norms of society. There are also the pleasure seekers such as the hedonists, Bohemians, swingers and now lifestylers.
Cec Cinder's "The Nudist Idea" documents the factors that came together in the late 19th century to become the definition of nudism with its absence of clothing, alcohol, tobacco, animal flesh, and pornography, while engaging in regimented physical exercise. It became a community of health minded individuals, however it was restrictive to physical places. The Naturists wanted to focus on the social nakedness aspects but in public areas to promote general body acceptance and fostering self-esteem. You are correct that hours of discussions and gallons of ink have not resolved a strict definition between nudism and naturism, but knowing the history from whence we have come, is foundational to knowing how to describe who we are. Thank you for this informative background.
Wonderful article. Thanks so much for your work.
What is the difference between a Nudist and a Naturist? Some Naturists Like To Be Naked Outside where as Some Nudists Only Like to be naked Indoors.
This is excellent, Nick, and probably the best exposé of the essential difference between the terms, and their relationship to each other.
I grew up in a rural family where clothes didn't matter. On weekends and school holidays, we just didn't bother with clothes, especially in the warmer months. It wasn't until adulthood that I discovered that there were actual philosophies - "isms" - attached to not wearing clothes. I'm still not even sure whether or not I wear either the nudist or naturist label !!
I have a long time keen inteerst in the history of naturism/nudism and appreciate learning quite of a bit more in this esaay of the beginnings of our way of life. And see that Nick participates in the World Naked Bike Ride, as I do. Have particpated in it in a number of cities in the US and UK and can think of no better way to celebrate body freedom and having a terrific time doing so !!
Nick! Thank you so much for this article! I loved it! (And I loved your Naked Hermit book) I have always been fascinated by the intersection between nudism and spirituality and it's probably what got me into nudism originally, as well as the topic of nudity among Celtic warriors. Thanks again for your inspiration and research, and for being inclusive to all spiritual paths that include nudity within an academic context. Look forward to your next book!
Thanks Kane, so pleased you liked The Naked Hermit book. It does appeal to spiritual naturists more than any other readers, so it never sold that many copies but I wrote it for the love of the subject, and love hearing other naturists who get it too. My next book is a big one about nature spirituality... still in the research stages but I will get it done :-)
Had so many really lovely replies to this feature, all of them have been a real boost, and thanks for yours.
Oh sweet! As a practicing Pagan, I'm going to be even more excited for that next one, it sounds like! I'll keep my eyes peeled for it :)
Did the gymnosophists really "go out of their way" to be unclothed, or is it the textile users, who have to set up a whole industry to collect materials, break them down, process them, weave them, adjust sizing, put them on, take them off and wash them, repair and replace, etc, who truly "go out of their way"
Little things like these language slants betray the ever present textile brainwash that we are all victim to, and it's as if no one is concerned enough to point it out.
It's me, I'm "no one", hi.
What actions did the gymnosophists have to perform that exceeds the multitudinous and constant daily actions of textile users in order to maintain their ways of living, to substantiate the notion they "[went] out of their way"?
Great read on naturist/nudist in history. Thanks for sharing such a well written and documented writing.
A very interesting article...about nudists & naturists.. The article also well highlights the history of nudism... Thank you so much...