Last Sunday got me thinking about what Black's Beach means to me. I went down to Black's on a day when the forecast called for clouds in the morning with sunny skies breaking out at midday. I got there at about noon. A mile from the beach it was bright and sunny ... but at the beach itself it was cloudy. I decided to go down anyway, and I'm glad I did because I had a wonderful time, even though I never saw the sun.
It didn't start getting chilly until about 4pm, so I was comfortable being nude for a while. Between a bit of reading, a bit of dozing, a bit of sitting meditation and my interaction with a squirrel (who really wanted into my bag), I had a great time. I realized that the sun is nice, warm water is nice (it was cold!), but that's not the only reason I love Black's. I can see myself going there all wrapped up next Winter just to feel the peace. (I think that will have to be on a sunny day since I don't handle cold too well.)
At the end of the day, what are we all looking for? I'm looking for peace of mind. That's why I meditate, that's why I read, that's why I listen to music, and that's why I sometimes leave the music off. For a shot of peace, I spend a day at Black's.
Why Black's Beach? Why not any other beach? I have tried other beaches, so I know it's not just the beach that I'm looking for. I think it's the feeling of the place, the fact that I can shed my clothes and it's just nature and me. Sometimes, it's nice to sit down or lie down directly on the sand and really feel the earth under me. Doing the same thing anywhere else will also feel good, but there aren't too many places where you can be nude, enjoy nature, and not be bothered by someone being bothered by what you're doing or not doing! I intend to try some of the other places where I can do the same in due course, but I'm in no big hurry. Peace of mind has come from not rushing to do what I think I could be doing. It has come from learning to enjoy the here and now, for the here and now.
Showing posts with label Black's Beach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Black's Beach. Show all posts
Monday, March 22, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Meditating on the Beach ... not quite!
I spent a wonderful day on the beach yesterday. There weren't too many of the Black's Beach Bares regulars, but the volleyball players were there as usual. I finished the book I was reading - "Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate" by Brad Warner. Another awesome book, just like his first book. This was his third book - I'll have to double back to the second book after this one. It called my name, and I had to read it. It's weird how his life seems to be a metaphorical version of mine in so many ways!
I did attempt to meditate/sit on the beach. The beach is a really nice place to meditate even if it isn't the quietest place in the world. The sound of the ocean successfully puts all other sounds in the background. There was only one problem ... the flies! I kept brushing them away while I read, but that was a background process. I didn't realize before I attempted to meditate how much of a distraction they would be. It's hard to clear your mind when all you are doing in chasing away flies. It was an interesting exercise while it lasted, but meditation in the beach will ideally have to wait for Spring when the flies have moved on. (I wonder where they go ... Do they move back North when it warms up there? Do flies migrate?)
I did attempt to meditate/sit on the beach. The beach is a really nice place to meditate even if it isn't the quietest place in the world. The sound of the ocean successfully puts all other sounds in the background. There was only one problem ... the flies! I kept brushing them away while I read, but that was a background process. I didn't realize before I attempted to meditate how much of a distraction they would be. It's hard to clear your mind when all you are doing in chasing away flies. It was an interesting exercise while it lasted, but meditation in the beach will ideally have to wait for Spring when the flies have moved on. (I wonder where they go ... Do they move back North when it warms up there? Do flies migrate?)
Monday, January 4, 2010
This WILL be a Happy Nude Year!
This is a fairly long post, and at first glance it may seem to have nothing to do with the title of the post ... but stick with my long-winded thought process ...
2009 was a year of transformation for me. At the beginning of 2009, my mind was a mess. I had hit an all-time low personally and professionally. From the outside, things might have looked the same as they always had - I lived in the same house with the same family, I interacted with mostly the same folks, and I worked at the same job. But internally, it all came crashing down. One year later, at the beginning of 2010, my life is looking better than it ever has!
As part of the transformation, I discovered who I really am. I discovered that I really do like simplicity, I really do want to leave a small footprint, I really am a vegetarian, I like to read a lot, I am comfortable with quietness, I function best when I have routine in my life - from meditating and exercising regularly to sleeping early and getting up early - and I really am a nudist. I sometimes wondered if some of these were just silly notions, but now I know that they are really who I am. Discovering, embracing, and accepting who I really am has given me peace of mind and calmness. As a result I also have a better relationship with my family and I am more productive at work.
A few good friends, and many good books helped me through this year. A couple of books had an especially large influence on my transformation - The Three Marriages by David Whyte and Hardcore Zen by Brad Warner. I read them both twice in 2009, and didn't get bored the second time around!
I also started to write in 2009. I had intense feelings that I just had to express, and decided to do so in a journal. To my surprise, they came out as poems. I had never written poetry, and had never thought myself capable of it, but there is was to my surprise. I also started writing this blog.
2009 started with sickness; not your normal definition of mental sickness, but it was sickness all the same. Let's just say I had a problem with all kinds of relationships - with others, with my work and with myself. Nudism turned was the key to my recovery. Initially, there was one problem with it - the problem of acceptance by my family. Patience and perseverance has finally led to their acceptance, and that's why I think 2010 is going to be a Happy Nude Year! On the 3rd of January, I went to Black's Beach for the first time with no reservations on their part, and it was a more beautiful and peaceful feeling than ever before.
The future seems bright and clear since the present is the only thing that really matters. Here's to many happy days at the beach, and continuous progress!
2009 was a year of transformation for me. At the beginning of 2009, my mind was a mess. I had hit an all-time low personally and professionally. From the outside, things might have looked the same as they always had - I lived in the same house with the same family, I interacted with mostly the same folks, and I worked at the same job. But internally, it all came crashing down. One year later, at the beginning of 2010, my life is looking better than it ever has!
As part of the transformation, I discovered who I really am. I discovered that I really do like simplicity, I really do want to leave a small footprint, I really am a vegetarian, I like to read a lot, I am comfortable with quietness, I function best when I have routine in my life - from meditating and exercising regularly to sleeping early and getting up early - and I really am a nudist. I sometimes wondered if some of these were just silly notions, but now I know that they are really who I am. Discovering, embracing, and accepting who I really am has given me peace of mind and calmness. As a result I also have a better relationship with my family and I am more productive at work.
A few good friends, and many good books helped me through this year. A couple of books had an especially large influence on my transformation - The Three Marriages by David Whyte and Hardcore Zen by Brad Warner. I read them both twice in 2009, and didn't get bored the second time around!
I also started to write in 2009. I had intense feelings that I just had to express, and decided to do so in a journal. To my surprise, they came out as poems. I had never written poetry, and had never thought myself capable of it, but there is was to my surprise. I also started writing this blog.
2009 started with sickness; not your normal definition of mental sickness, but it was sickness all the same. Let's just say I had a problem with all kinds of relationships - with others, with my work and with myself. Nudism turned was the key to my recovery. Initially, there was one problem with it - the problem of acceptance by my family. Patience and perseverance has finally led to their acceptance, and that's why I think 2010 is going to be a Happy Nude Year! On the 3rd of January, I went to Black's Beach for the first time with no reservations on their part, and it was a more beautiful and peaceful feeling than ever before.
The future seems bright and clear since the present is the only thing that really matters. Here's to many happy days at the beach, and continuous progress!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Balancing Act
I haven't been able to make it to the beach the past three weekends and I'm really waiting for this weekend to come around so I can make my way to Black's Beach.
I have often wondered what it is that compels me to get my regular fix of Black's. I get to spend some part of the day nude at home, so I do get a partial fix almost every day, but that hasn't proven very satisfactory. Is social nudism the necessary ingredient? It could be that since my home is an environment that's not fully supportive or accepting of nudism, nudism at home results in relaxation with a hint of tension. Maybe it's the feeling of complete relaxation at the beach that makes it so special. Or maybe it's just the people - being with people who are open-minded and willing to accept you for what you are, warts and all!
It would be wonderful to live in a world where clothes were optional, whether at home, or work, or play. However, we have to balance what we have with what we need. How does one find that balance without driving oneself insane? There's no easy answer to that question. We live in a constantly changing world and requires continuous evaluation of where we are and where we want to go, and a continuous search for the right balance. Just like everything we deal with in life!
I have often wondered what it is that compels me to get my regular fix of Black's. I get to spend some part of the day nude at home, so I do get a partial fix almost every day, but that hasn't proven very satisfactory. Is social nudism the necessary ingredient? It could be that since my home is an environment that's not fully supportive or accepting of nudism, nudism at home results in relaxation with a hint of tension. Maybe it's the feeling of complete relaxation at the beach that makes it so special. Or maybe it's just the people - being with people who are open-minded and willing to accept you for what you are, warts and all!
It would be wonderful to live in a world where clothes were optional, whether at home, or work, or play. However, we have to balance what we have with what we need. How does one find that balance without driving oneself insane? There's no easy answer to that question. We live in a constantly changing world and requires continuous evaluation of where we are and where we want to go, and a continuous search for the right balance. Just like everything we deal with in life!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Social Nudism
The past couple of weeks have seen new angles in my foray into social nudism. Before that, it was something that my wife just didn't accept, and it created conflict between us. The past couple of weeks have been great because there is now acceptance on her part, and I have had a chance to think of my feelings on social nudism.
There's been a wonderful crowd at Black's Beach the past couple of Sundays. In addition, last Sunday I was honored to be part of a wedding. The Black's Beach Bares make their area of the beach very inviting and you feel safe and part of a family when you're there. Being there in a more relaxed frame of mind, I felt more free to chat with folks. I also read my book(s), use the boogie boards the Bares have on hand to ride the waves, body surfed, and just plain relaxed.
Social nudism and home nudism both feel good thanks to the lack of restrictions of clothes. (Saves on cooling costs too! :-) ) Social nudism goes beyond home nudism with the way people perceive each other. Shapes and sizes don't matter. When you talk to someone, you're just talking to them. I don't know how else to describe the openness of my conversations on Black's. The people I've met are wonderful and accepting, and in a short time I already feel like I have a connection to them as fellow human beings. I'm looking forward to many more Sundays at Black's!
There's been a wonderful crowd at Black's Beach the past couple of Sundays. In addition, last Sunday I was honored to be part of a wedding. The Black's Beach Bares make their area of the beach very inviting and you feel safe and part of a family when you're there. Being there in a more relaxed frame of mind, I felt more free to chat with folks. I also read my book(s), use the boogie boards the Bares have on hand to ride the waves, body surfed, and just plain relaxed.
Social nudism and home nudism both feel good thanks to the lack of restrictions of clothes. (Saves on cooling costs too! :-) ) Social nudism goes beyond home nudism with the way people perceive each other. Shapes and sizes don't matter. When you talk to someone, you're just talking to them. I don't know how else to describe the openness of my conversations on Black's. The people I've met are wonderful and accepting, and in a short time I already feel like I have a connection to them as fellow human beings. I'm looking forward to many more Sundays at Black's!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Black's Beach
I lie on the hot sand
Face turned to the side
Arms above my head
The sun beating down on my back
I hear the murmurs
Of people talking
Over the roar of the ocean
As I drift into semi-consciousness
I crack an eye open
See the sweat glisten
As it seeps from my arm
A little rivulet in the crook of my elbow
I love it here
It's peaceful and serene
This beach is special
The happy place I've been looking for
Face turned to the side
Arms above my head
The sun beating down on my back
I hear the murmurs
Of people talking
Over the roar of the ocean
As I drift into semi-consciousness
I crack an eye open
See the sweat glisten
As it seeps from my arm
A little rivulet in the crook of my elbow
I love it here
It's peaceful and serene
This beach is special
The happy place I've been looking for
Friday, July 10, 2009
What a Lovely Day!
Today was an abbreviated but satisfying day at the beach. I took an extra-long lunch break and made it down to Black's. I met a few of the Black's Beach Bares, and a wonderful couple from Arizona. My stay was short - I spent just an hour and a half there - but it was absolutely terrific, if a bit warmer than it's been. I'm still on a high from it.
Today, as I lay on the sand, I was thinking about how I'd like my life to be. I realized that it's really close to where I want it to be, it just needs a little tweaking. I think we spend too much of our time worrying about what's wrong, instead of enjoying what's right. This trip to Black's is a good example - I could have fretted about not being able to be there for the whole day, but instead I enjoyed the time I did spend there. The calmness to see things clearly comes from meditation, which I really should start practicing regularly, or from being a nudist. Lying on Black's, or sitting at the water's edge as it washes over me, is truly a meditative experience!
Today, as I lay on the sand, I was thinking about how I'd like my life to be. I realized that it's really close to where I want it to be, it just needs a little tweaking. I think we spend too much of our time worrying about what's wrong, instead of enjoying what's right. This trip to Black's is a good example - I could have fretted about not being able to be there for the whole day, but instead I enjoyed the time I did spend there. The calmness to see things clearly comes from meditation, which I really should start practicing regularly, or from being a nudist. Lying on Black's, or sitting at the water's edge as it washes over me, is truly a meditative experience!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Getting Back on Track
It's interesting how one event can push you so far off track that it takes a little therapy to get back on track. My visit to Vegas left my mind all askew. Without going too far into my history, let me just say that I have a history of problems with sex - it used to be that I'd get a yearning for sex where it would build up to a point where it controlled my daily life. I've been "good" for a while, but the Vegas trip and all it entailed threw me for a bit of a loop. So, today I sought naturism therapy ...
There's nothing to me as therapeutic as going to the nude beach, relaxing on the sand and swimming in the water. Today was a lovely day with a clear blue sky. I took a long lunch break and went down to Black's Beach. There were a larger number of people than usual for the middle of the day as a result of the great weather. I put my sunblock on, lay down for a bit, then went for a swim, ate the lunch that I'd brought with me, then lay down for a little longer than earlier and just reelllaaaaxxxxxeeeeeeddddddd! I got up after a while with my head now back in order and went for another swim to wash off the sand - I love to lie down directly on the sand with my towel only under my head. I body surfed and caught a few nice waves, then wiped up, headed to the trail, wore my shorts and t-shirt and got back to work for a productive afternoon!
Ahhh! Naturism therapy!
There's nothing to me as therapeutic as going to the nude beach, relaxing on the sand and swimming in the water. Today was a lovely day with a clear blue sky. I took a long lunch break and went down to Black's Beach. There were a larger number of people than usual for the middle of the day as a result of the great weather. I put my sunblock on, lay down for a bit, then went for a swim, ate the lunch that I'd brought with me, then lay down for a little longer than earlier and just reelllaaaaxxxxxeeeeeeddddddd! I got up after a while with my head now back in order and went for another swim to wash off the sand - I love to lie down directly on the sand with my towel only under my head. I body surfed and caught a few nice waves, then wiped up, headed to the trail, wore my shorts and t-shirt and got back to work for a productive afternoon!
Ahhh! Naturism therapy!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Here I go ...
I wanted this first post to be an introduction. And then I wondered, what do you put in an introduction? How do you introduce what has taken decades to assemble? Is there a way to sum up my thoughts, my life, what I intend to type here when it hasn't yet happened, and make it interesting enough to appeal to those who might read it? And is that why I'm writing a blog - to attract a following? I don't know ...
That's why, I started to set up this blog yesterday, but never did put anything down. And then today happened. It was an interesting day, one that started off like many others, and then like many days recently, it took a turn.
Let me start by saying I'm a nudist, I guess you could define me as a closet nudist. Not many people know about my nudism, my family doesn't accept it, and this morning I was going to put it on hold or out of my mind for the foreseeable future. And then the sun came out, I went out for lunch, and it drew me in through the afternoon until it got to the point where I could not stand staying in anymore. So when I could in the afternoon, I went to the beach, didn't get a parking spot (not that I looked much), and used that as an excuse to go to Black's Beach (yes, I'm in San Diego). I'm glad I did. I took my profile photograph there, and even though I wasn't prepared for the beach, I had a good couple of hours communing with the sun, the sand and the water.
And that's how I decided to write my "introduction". I decided that it will be an introduction in steps. It's going to be easier to get right to it and start putting down my thoughts, and narrating my stories, and over time I will have introduced myself. That is, after all, how one finds out about others all the time. Any initial introduction is very limited. It's our subsequent interactions that really help us to get to know others.
That's why, I started to set up this blog yesterday, but never did put anything down. And then today happened. It was an interesting day, one that started off like many others, and then like many days recently, it took a turn.
Let me start by saying I'm a nudist, I guess you could define me as a closet nudist. Not many people know about my nudism, my family doesn't accept it, and this morning I was going to put it on hold or out of my mind for the foreseeable future. And then the sun came out, I went out for lunch, and it drew me in through the afternoon until it got to the point where I could not stand staying in anymore. So when I could in the afternoon, I went to the beach, didn't get a parking spot (not that I looked much), and used that as an excuse to go to Black's Beach (yes, I'm in San Diego). I'm glad I did. I took my profile photograph there, and even though I wasn't prepared for the beach, I had a good couple of hours communing with the sun, the sand and the water.
And that's how I decided to write my "introduction". I decided that it will be an introduction in steps. It's going to be easier to get right to it and start putting down my thoughts, and narrating my stories, and over time I will have introduced myself. That is, after all, how one finds out about others all the time. Any initial introduction is very limited. It's our subsequent interactions that really help us to get to know others.
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