FAQ concerning Ritual Undressing
Is Ritual Undressing a partner ritual?
Ritual Undressing may be practised in a small circle of 3 to 4 women, or 2 female friends, or a small mixed group of up to four people or within a couple. Most women find it easier to make the experience first with another woman or in a group of women, before daring to show herself to a man. In a small group it is important that everyone is allowed enough time (at least 30 minutes) to show herself and to then be touched. One should lead the ritual and keep an eye on the progression of the ritual and the time.
How often should the ritual be practised?
Until you feel completely free. For most people it means to practising the ritual several times. Particularly if the body was harmed by illness (eg. mastectomy after breast cancer), or new symptoms of aging show up. Sometimes you may have a “relapse” and feel unloved and ugly. This is a good time to repeat the ritual. Don’t assume that you are completely freed after one single time (although it can happen). Most people dare to present one more piece each time and free themselves in small steps. The process may go on for a period of time until the entire body and inner processes of being naked and during sexuality have been integrated and freed. For those who don’t have any impediments with the ritual described above they may continue with the ‘advanced’ version (see below).
Can I practise this ritual even if I’m content with my body?
Yes, of course. But even then the idea is to expose hidden issues. If there is really nothing external which you don’t like, then talk about internal processes. How do you like your sexual life? What do you find hard to talk about? What is it you cannot say or show? Enjoy that your body is fine and use this ritual to reach the next level. Maybe you have reccurring illnesses. They also have emotional roots and it feels good, for example, when a sick stomach is touched from the outside.
Why not show the beautiful body parts and strengthen those?
This is a question often asked. Of course, it is wonderful to receive nice compliments. And we are allowed to and should exchange those amply and frequently. However, this ritual is about liberating blocked energy which boycotts our sexuality and vitality through rejection and self-judgment. We scurry too quickly past painful issues, suppressing or denying them. This ritual is an exercise to face directly that which is usually pushed aside. In this very action lies the moment of liberation. People feel lighter and happy after this ritual. Unnecessary ballast simply falls away. That’s why the courage to show unloved body parts is the focus of this ritual. Every evasive manoeuvre should be avoided. This repeatedly demands courage. From every partner participating in the ritual. Because here the opposite of our usual behaviour happens. And this is the step needed to heal.
Why not console the other regarding the “imperfection”?
Sometimes ritual partners are astonished that someone dislikes a body part, and express their amazement and disbelief. When this reaction comes, the person showing herself does not feel accepted. So please withstand the temptation to soothe or console. It won’t support the healing. Even if you were happy to have such a beautiful body, endure the fact that the person “on stage” has a different view. Simply participate in the ceremony without judging or giving advice. Your task is to empathize and lay hands on or touch. We all have different experiences and life stories. And what is terrible for one person is no problem for the next. Healing takes place in conscious, purposeless presence. This is why distraction and pointing at the beautiful physical parts doesn’t help. Go through the ritual together with the person “on stage,” accepting that for her it is the way she describes. Nothing else helps.