Won't You Get Naked?

There are a group of religious exiles that came to North America to escape Russian prejudice in the 1880’s called the Doukabours. The Doukabours were promised by the Canadian government that they would have complete freedom to practice their religion. They were a hard working people, farmers, and Canada needed all the immigrants it could attract.

When I moved to B.C. in the late 70’s I was introduced to the Doukabour people by news reports about an older woman, Mary, who had been jailed for protesting government by torching government buildings. While in jail she was fasting in order to continue her protest and the authorities were trying to force feed her.

It wasn’t until years later during a visit to the town of Grand Forks in the interior of the province that I learned more of Mary and the Doukabour story. I discovered that Doukabours had always found innovative, effective ways to protest government interference in their religious practices. For example, they considered tearing up railroad tracks, burning government buildings including schools a form of non violent protest. I didn’t. When I heard of women, mostly elders, stripping naked to march and protest I became deeply interested in the details of this group of people.

Mary came to mind today. A few years back I told my sons that if Canada ever tried to draft them to fight a war that I’d be heading to Ottawa to parade around naked in protest. I laughed and joked about making sure there were cameras there to capture the big bad polices trying to pick up and carry away my nakedness. My sons were horrified. Nobody was more surprised than me that I meant it.

I sat naked with Mary in my heart today. I thanked her for being who she was, for teaching me I am just like her. In the blink of an eye we sat still forever immersed in the pain and tragedy that drove us to our naked protest until we sat still forever immersed in the joy of naked service.

There is a naked theme in my life. I Antoinette Maleska morphed as a runaway into Niki and her male alter Tawny Tigress strip tease artist(love the irony). In middle age I’m writing naked bios and openly sharing the whispers of Honours the Gentle Breath of Spirit. I see I have been a multidimensional being trying to hide completely or cram aspects of me into itty bitty separate boxes.

Won’t you get naked?
Inside and out
Drop the facades
Examine the scars
No veils impeding
A view of the beauty
You really are.

May the dimensions gracefully coalesce within thee.
Blessed be.