There is a tradition of nakedness within Tantra that dates as far back as the pre-tantric sects. Much of the artwork, frescos and statues associated with Tantric worship feature nudity and ‘liberated ones’ (avadhutas) are often described as being fully or partially naked.
To a modern mind that is used to (falsely) associating both Tantra and nudity with sex, it is easy to fall into the trap of assuming that the depiction of nudity in Tantra was all about sex and sexuality. But this is a lazy assumption. In reality, nakedness performed several functions in traditional Tantra that may be of benefit to current practitioners.
The first of these is symbolism. The earliest, pre-tantric nudists shed their clothing in order to emulate a particular incarnation of the Indian deity Shiva, who was said to have adopted the form of a naked beggar. Representations of both male and female genitalia continued to hold relevance within Tantra as symbols of the creative energies that must unite in order for the universe to manifest. Because the body is a microcosmic representation of everything that exists (including these creative energies), our own genitals can be seen as the physical manifestation of these essential forces. As such, the human body is not something to be ashamed of or hidden away, but something to be celebrated – worshipped even!
Tantra also liked to challenge social, cultural and religious norms. There has always been a rebellious, almost revolutionary, character to Tantra. The social and cultural context in which Tantra emerged was structured and hierarchical, but the Tantras confronted this orthodoxy in almost everything they preached – they challenged notions of purity and impurity, of social and gender differences, and even penance and liberation. Nudity is a great equaliser, and practicing nudity was another way of challenging the hierarchical structures of the time.
Nudity also came to represent renunciation. Whilst some early practitioners may have renounced their wealth (and therefore their clothing), within a Tantric context this should be thought of more as a renunciation of identity. Clothing expresses individuality, and conveys messages about wealth, background, social status, profession and numerous other identifiers. The purpose of Tantra, and many of the techniques espoused within the Tantras, is to break free from the bonds of our socially constructed identities – our ego-identity – and to recognise ourselves as a contracted form of the universal Self. By shedding our clothing, we are removing a powerful signifier of our constructed selves. We are inviting vulnerability and we can begin to perceive ourselves through the lens of this vulnerability, as something raw, unpretentious and abiding. Something universal.
For practitioners of Eco-Tantra there is perhaps another reason to practice nakedness. Eco-Tantra is about establishing a bond with our natural environment, about recognising the wilderness in ourselves and ourselves in the wilderness. We are encouraged to get closer to nature, to remove the barriers between ourselves and our natural environment when we practice Tantric techniques. And clothing may well represent the final physical barrier. By being naked, we are returning to our natural state. We are being natural in nature.
Does this mean you have to get naked to practice Eco-Tantra? Of course not! Fundamentally, Tantra is not about physical barriers, it is about meta-physical ones. It’s about feeling close to our natural environment on a spiritual level, not necessarily a physical one. But Tantra also recognises the importance of sensuality on the path to liberation, and for some, feeling physically close to nature may help them to feel spiritually close too. Put another way, being naked outdoors – feeling the breeze, the sun or even the rain on your skin – may enhance your Tantric experience.
Obviously, for many, getting undressed outdoors presents something of a psychological barrier, but this in itself can provide another opportunity for self-transformation. For some, there may also be a legal barrier – it might be against the law to be naked in public. It’s worth checking first, but for many the law will be against causing distress to others or engaging in lewd behaviour, rather than simply being undressed. Whichever obstacles exist it’s worth remembering that Tantra is a journey – one that can last a lifetime – and it is better to habitualise small steps than big fails.
With this in mind, if you do want to introduce nudity into your Eco-Tantric practice, think about the small steps you can take. Perhaps try it indoors first. Don’t be surprised if, after practicing your usual yoga routine in the nude for a month or two, you begin to find the whole idea of clothed yoga frankly ridiculous. Or remove an extra item of clothing each time you practice outdoors. Start with shoes and socks, then outer layers, and only go as far as you’re comfortable – if you’re comfortable sunbathing in the back garden in a swim suit, chances are, you can manage a short yoga routine or Tantric meditation too.
Or incorporate Eco-Tantra into a bigger adventure. Hike out into the mountains or find a quiet valley and spend a bit of time there to practice. Remember, Eco-Tantra doesn’t have to include a lengthy asana sequence; 10-minutes meditating on what you can see, hear and feel, or a short pranayama practice can be enough. Maybe even focus your thoughts on how it feels to be naked in nature – this in itself can enhance your kundalini awareness. If you have an item of clothing nearby, such as a wrap or poncho, which you can use to cover up in the event of being disturbed, bear in mind that this may attract more attention or suspicion than simply styling it out. Sometimes, it might be better to have a particular pose in mind (such as child’s pose or a comfortable sitting position) that you can transition into when you hear a dog (it’s always the dog!) come bounding through the undergrowth. Then just close your eyes and meditate until the disruption’s passed.
It goes without saying, if you intend to find a secluded spot in the wild and remove all your clothing, always think about personal safety. Tell someone where you’re heading and carry whatever you need to carry to raise an alarm. In reality though, even if they notice you, most people will leave you alone and walk on by.
Whatever you choose – clothed or unclothed, partially or fully naked – head outdoors and don’t forget to share your experiences on the site.
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