What Would Happen If?

I visit a culture where mutual respect, authenticity, compassion and empathy are expressed without effort regularly. Yes, it’s not picture perfect. We have conflicts and disagreements, but that’s all part of being human. But what I like most about Naturism is that we are willing to agree to disagree and move forward. I don’t agree with everyone and certainly don’t expect anyone to agree with me. But here, within, lies the beauty in the imperfection of my community. We get along.

When I arrive at Bare Oaks, the family naturist park where I have a membership, I feel a sense of liberation. It's a freedom that lasts for two whole days and sometimes a day or two more. I don’t worry about pleasing someone, or earning money, or not expending money. I get to be. Be me. Naked, unashamed, authentic, ruthlessly sincere, and mostly happy. This is where my happiness peaks.

Trying to describe the elation of freedom in written words is impossible. It’s an experience everyone should attempt. It seems to me that when I’m naked in a communal setting, I feel free to express myself openly. I’m overwhelmed by the urge to speak truth. I don’t want to offend anyone, so I avoid saying things that aren’t true, spreading gossip, or acting in a way that could be offensive. It’s EASY. Just be authentic and kind. That feels good.

What would happen if every human being on Mother Earth decided that they are no better than any other? What would happen if we could look at anyone and understand that they’re not there to harm us or take advantage of us, but just want to be free and part of a community? What would happen if the richest people on Mother Earth decided that they were tired of being controlled by a rock (gold) and that they were no better than anyone else? What would happen if any religious person became aware that they were no better than anyone else?

I am that person. No, I’m not rich, but I’ve given up on letting money control me. I was religious, but now I understand that I wasn’t following the teachings that were poorly instructed when I was little. I got turned off of Jesus’ lessons because the priests had one thing in mind, and that was controlling the sheep of their flock. I didn’t understand that then, but at 11 or 12 years old, I decided to quit the church. I’ve been on a spiritual search since then, and only twelve years ago did I discover what that is. The only spirit I can say truly exists is the one that resides within my body. I’m not an all-powerful deity. I am, however, a consciousness given a body to express my thoughts and feelings in words and actions. I don’t own a soul. I am that soul.

I have no lust for power over others. I have a desire to share my thoughts and help others benefit from my life’s experiences, and build community and friendships. I am free and I want others to be free, too. But I’m trapped in a world that prioritizes money and power over humanity. I didn’t ask to be part of it. I was born into it, and I find it’s broken and needs mending. I want to find out how to correct this injustice and cure the brain injury that greedy people suffer from.

I’ve come to realize that no one, no matter how great a title they have foisted on themselves, is better than me. Billionaires, trillionaires, kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers, popes, ayatollahs, chief rabbis, CEOs, CFOs, and a litany of other titles for people are all the same as everyone else. There’s nothing magical or divine about them. They are all human beings just like you and me. But for some reason, people agree to call them what they declare themselves to be and agree to elevate them to a stature and prestigious position amongst human beings. In a way, I feel sorry for them. Being controlled by systems that are conceived by the minds of humans who take advantage of the gullible and create cultural ideologies.

What the solution is, I’m not sure. Perhaps some people would like to sit down with me to study the situation and explore several possibilities. I think it starts with an agreement that no one is 100% right about anything. That social contracts begin with everyone being a human being and therefore have the right to use what they need to survive.

What do you think? Is an even playing field helpful in this world? Let’s discuss it in a recorded session for publication.