More Zen Than Nudism!

Sometimes things slow you down
Whether it's work or play
You try to keep moving on
But circumstances force you to stay

When things get bad, realize this
It usually comes from something
You can't get, it starts to bug you
Like objections to your lack of clothing

At times like these, take a deep breath
Don't worry about future or past
Right now, live in this moment
It will go fast, it will not last

To further expand on my previous post on Zen and Nudism ... Nudism gave me peace of mind and helped me get past some of the mental blocks that were holding me back. And then ... when the objections to my nudism came fast and furious (literally!), I had to make choices. The choice I made resulted in restrictions to my nudist lifestyle and that started to get me down. I know - and knew - that I myself had made that choice, but every now and then I couldn't help thinking that it would be perfect if I could have it both ways.

The thought of having it both ways plays a number on my mind. I start to live in the future, and miss out on the present. But the present is our only reality. I would squander away minutes, hours or days of my life before I snapped out of it. And that's where Zen has helped me. Meditation gives me the stability that I seek and the ability to see things the way they are, to see reality for what it is. Having goals and a vision for the future is good, because it prevents me from drifting, but living in that future is a waste of time. I find it easy to intellectually understand the concept of living in the moment, but difficult to live my life by it. Meditation gives me that ability.

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