Gymnosophy (from Greek γυμνός ''gymnós'' "naked" and σοφία ''sophía'' "wisdom") was a movement and a philosophy practiced in Europe and the US from the end of the 19th century to the mid 20th century. The practice involved nudity, asceticism, and

meditation Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm ...

History

In the early 20th century, the term was appropriated by several groups to denote a broad philosophy that included as a central thought that the nude human body is a natural condition and should be widely acceptable for the betterment of society. This philosophy is related closely, and often interchangeably, with nudism and naturism, and has close connection to the hippie movement. The movement is known by mainly three organisations: the

English Gymnosophical Society British Naturism (until 2009, Central Council for British Naturism) is a members organisation with both individual and organisation members. It promotes naturism in the United Kingdom, and it is recognised by the International Naturist Fed ...

, , and the

American Gymnosophical Association The American Gymnosophical Association (AGA) was organized circa 1930 by Herman and Katherine Soshinski. It was one of 3 spin-off groups from the League for Physical Culture that had been organized by Kurt Barthel in 1929. Dr. Maurice Parmelee, Pr ...

. In 1919, the Yoga teacher Blanche DeVries opened a ''Yoga Gymnosophy Institute'' in New York that combined Oriental Dance and Yoga. The ''

'' was founded in 1922 and became ''The New Gymnosophy Society'' in 1926. One of the first members was

Gerald Gardner Gerald Brosseau Gardner (13 June 1884 – 12 February 1964), also known by the craft name Scire, was an English Wiccan, as well as an author and an amateur anthropology, anthropologist and archaeology, archaeologist. He was instrumental in bri ...

, who in 1945 established the Five Acres Club, ostensibly as a

nudist club A naturist resort or nudist resort is an establishment that provides accommodation (or at least camping space) and other amenities for guests in a context where they are invited to practise naturism – that is, a lifestyle of non-sexual socia ...

, but as a front for

Wicca Wicca () is a modern Pagan religion. Scholars of religion categorise it as both a new religious movement and as part of the occultist stream of Western esotericism. It was developed in England during the first half of the 20th century and w ...

ns, as this was illegal in England until 1951. The ''Societe Internationale de Gymnosophie'' was founded in 1926 in France. Dr. Maurice Parmelee (1882-1969), professor of sociology at the City College of New York, wrote from 1923 to 1924 a book, ''The New Gymnosophy'', the title was changed to ''Nudism In Modern Life'' in later editions. He took part in the founding of the ''

'' 1930. In 1932, Rochester Gymnosophy League was founded in Bushnell's Basin. In 1933 the Dunedin Gymnosophy Club was founded in New Zealand. The biochemist and historian Joseph Needham was known to practice gymnosophy. In the last decade, the word gymnosophy has begun to be used as a term for a new, more spiritual and holistic, free body culture.

The word "gymnosophy" in literature

A poem from the book ''Non Serviam'' (1945) by the Swedish author

Gunnar Ekelöf Bengt Gunnar Ekelöf (15 September 1907, in Stockholm – 16 March 1968, in Sigtuna) was a Swedish poet and writer. He was a member of the Swedish Academy from 1958 and was awarded an honorary doctorate in philosophy by Uppsala University in 1958 ...

is named "Gymnosofisten" ("The Gymnosophist"). In the novel ''

Don Quixote is a Spanish epic novel by Miguel de Cervantes. Originally published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615, its full title is ''The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha'' or, in Spanish, (changing in Part 2 to ). A founding work of West ...

'': "... in defiance and in spite of envy itself, and all the magicians that Persia, or Brahmans that India, or Gymnosophists that Ethiopia ever produced ..."

Notes

External links

About Gymnosophy
Asceticism Meditation Naturism {{philosophy-stub

History

The word "gymnosophy" in literature

See also

Notes

External links