As a relatively young person, our family was heading for a swim in the not actually blue Danube river in Austria. We were going to a section that is a nude beach, and being a bit self-conscious I asked if there would be a changing area once we got there. The ensuing laughter resulted in me wearing my bathing suit underneath my shorts for the bike ride. Funny how we expect to feel does not always match how we feel...reminds me of a Malcolm Gladwell comment about being pretty poor predictors of our own happiness. I was sure wearing my bathing suit would make me feel more comfortable at this nude beach. I was wrong. Being the only person in sight wearing a bathing suit made me so self-conscious because I was getting side-long glances. Turns out I felt much more comfortable blending in by being just like everyone else---nude.
Which brings me to one of the running theme questions/concepts. Our human need for belonging, blending in, feeling 'normal' or whatever you might call that urge is an acknowledged need. At the same time we seem to have an equally strong need for recognition. Are these needs in opposition? Can they both be fulfilled simultaneously or are they alternating needs? Must we swing from one extreme to another to achieve balance in our lives, or can we walk a tightrope of fine balance between being remarkable individuals and homogeneous blob-like sense of belonging?
It reminds me in a way of Plotinus' one versus many. Or the quantum physics conundrum of particle and wave behavior. How can something be both? But many things are both. And maybe we can never remove the observer and therefore we will spend eternity chasing our tail. I just hope someone is amused by our antics the way I am amused watching a dog chase its own tail.
It hurts my brain, kind of like trying to actually comprehend infinity. Or zero. They kind of occupy the same space of unknowable-ness in my brain. But maybe, even if they are unknow-able, we can feel like we have an understanding.
Instinctively belonging and being unique are not only not mutually exclusive--they sort of might be two sides of the same coin.
In any case, I thought I would share this nude beach lesson. I was much more at ease blending in with my fellow nudists than I imagined I would be!
Having never been in the situation, I can't say for sure what my behavior would be, how I would feel most comfortable. But, knowing me, I'm pretty sure I avoid getting the situation if at all possible in the first place.
ReplyDeleteBut, now if anyone asks me what quantum physics and nude beaches have in common, I have an answer. ;-)
To be honest, I can't say I have sought out another nude beach experience since then. But the lesson stuck with me and if I'm ever in that situation again I could not predict how I'd behave...kind of like quantum physics. yeah, my brain does make weird connections :-D
Delete