Unlearn It!

Introduction:

Official definition: “In human psychology, the term “learned behaviour” refers to any manner of conduct that a person performs as a result of experience. People learn behaviour from their parents, siblings and other authoritative environmental entities.”

A learned behaviour is a distinct practice that isn’t part of our natural (human) experience or nature. It is by no means universal (shared by everyone). More than likely, it is a behaviour or belief that is taught to us when we are young so that we do not acquire or begin a particular behaviour, habit or practice that is actually more conducive, intuitive or natural to an overwhelming majority of us. A perfect example of a learned behaviour is the wearing of clothes. The lesson taught to us is that bare, naked, nude is wrong and that clothes must be worn at all times!

Clothing is an instrument/tool that is divinely delivered to us in order to remove and/or restrict our body and clothes freedom. A freedom that we are all born with!

Ironically, the exact learned behaviour that we are taught is a complete and total lie (fabrication, falsehood). This untruth (falsehood) is practically always taught to us by the same person/teacher who also instruct us to always be honest and tell the truth. After all, lying is a sin (wrong) that is offensive not only to the divine but to all humans as well. Two lies (fabrications/falsehoods) do not equal to a truth!

So much for the un-natural and very un-truthful lesson that garments are divinely inspired! Quick! Someone should alert the divine!

Body shame:

Body shame is defined/explained as: “the mock or stigmatize (someone) by making critical comments or gestures about the appearance, shape or size of their body.”/We are taught throughout our developmental (growing-up) years to shame ourselves and to especially to be ashamed of our bare (naked, nude) bodies. Additional instructions include that the desire and urge (want) for body and clothes freedom is both despicable, shameful and wrong! Nakedness (absence of garments) is the epitome of disgrace and it is evil.

Nakedness is also inhuman – that’s why prisoners are incarcerated nude or with a minimal covering. It is also un-natural – that’s why aboriginal persons are also classified/labelled as “backwards” or as “uncivilized.” Some are also referenced as “primitive.”

Nakedness is therefore undignified. It is also unrefined. Nakedness is deplorable. It lessens our humanity. It makes us savage. Ironically, the same may be applied to all of those who deliberately and intentionally and with malice direct and with intent inflict body shame on others. Body shaming is the process by which one attempts to address degradation, humiliation and ridicule upon the body of another with emphasis on perceived differences, discrepancies and flaws.

We are taught to conceal or cover (hide) our nakedness if we are ever in the company of others. Communal nakedness is both disgraceful and deviant. It is to be avoided at all times. It is indecent to be seen in our nakedness when around others. Communal nakedness is considered a perversion.

The body shaming of others is a direct result of the insecurities felt by those criticizing of their own personal physical stature. They ridicule and taunt others in a feeble attempt to deflect attention from themselves.

“Who are you to judge the life I live? I’m not perfect and I don’t have to be! Before you start pointing fingers, make certain your hands are clean.” ~ Bob Marley ~ Jamaican reggae legend

Refutation:

Yet, we were all born only in our complete, full and total nakedness. No matter our parentage or social class. In nakedness we begin our life and we enter into this world. In the countless numbers of thousands of years, humanity continues to create itself through birth in nakedness.

Multiple millennia of teaching all of our offspring of the artificial concealing and covering of their natural body with textiles (clothing) yet the instructions must still continue even into this day and age. Clothing remains a learned behaviour, that none of us are born with. It does not automatically pass from one generation to the next.

“Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it’s a good place to start.” ~ Jason Collins ~ first openly gay NBA professional, Brooklyn Nets

“For all of us, as same gender loving and bare men, we must remember that as members of a distinct minority community and culture, it is incumbent on us to recognize that our pride in ourselves is based on our own self-acceptance and our own self-confidence of both what and who we essentially are. Guilt and shame have no place in our lives. We need to let them go and move forward in patience and tolerance for all. Love nd respect are the keys we need. Hate and ignorance are not.” ~ Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos ~ June 16, 2023

One important thought to hold onto is that not everyone who taught us about nakedness was in harmony with the lesson. Many were merely complying with their perceptions of what was expected from them.

Suggestions For Unlearning:

The actual unlearning of a learned behaviour is easier for some of us than it is for others. One important factor to remember is that we all learn differently and the process of unlearning is equally diverse. There is not one standard formula/prototype that is applicable for all of us. Ponder the recommendations offered below and proceed with what is comfortable for you.

1. Remove all clothing and relax. Read a book or a magazine. Watch a film or television. Paint a canvass and/or draw/sketch.
2. Invite one or several friends over and encourage them to become naked with you. Play cards or a board game. Do something bare together. Interact.
3. Repeat the above or variations thereof in order to increase the nude comfort level of everyone. Undertake similar activities. Invite others to join the experience.
4. Progress from nakedness (alone) to an atmosphere of social nudity (acquaintances/friends engaging together).
5. To increase the bare comfort level of all, organize a social event (such as a cocktail party of a meal) where the ones naked can intermingle with those who are wearing clothes. It is advisable to let all the guests know of the social make-up of the gathering in advance. This is done to avoid any awkward or uncomfortable “scenes.”

Naked hugs!

Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride

Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, November 6, 2023, and the proposed topic is: “Autumn Leaves!”