Meditate in the Nude

Since the plague seeped its blighted fingers into our society life’s been harder for most. Long, underpaid, unappreciated work hours compounded on stress. The Mental illness epidemic worsened, and the world is generally falling apart. Still, if we are to persevere we must take time to smell the proverbial flowers. Lest we be ground to dust by the grindstone.

It’s for this purpose I was drawn to Sierra Hot Springs. The Sierra Nevadas are chief among mountain ranges in my heart. It also happens to contain the highest peaks in the contiguous U.S. I needed to escape the ever-grinding turmoil of daily life. But also, my vegan girlfriend has a newly acquired fondness for nudism and hot springs. And while I don’t share the same enthusiasm for revealing myself to the public, naturally, I’ll connect with nature in natural hot springs in a naturalist fashion, it’s only natural.

First let me give a quick explanation for the uninitiated. Nudism/Naturism, the people who practice it, and the venues that facilitate it vary in culture. One major sticking point, and elephant in the room, is sexual activity. Sexual activity is strictly PROHIBITED in and around the public pools at the Sierra Hotsprings. Nudity, in the philosophies of the naturism side, isn’t inherently sexual, and shouldn’t be treated as such, especially in a situation where individuals are swimming or bathing or relaxing in warm pools of natural spring water. This is a family-friendly venue. You may encounter children. If you absolutely need to be a perverted nudist, there are plenty of other venues where that will be more accepted or even encouraged.

That being said, there are a few private pools available for use, and the implication of their use is clear. Strangely they’re the most lack-luster offering available. Large stone tubs (wide as a span, and long as two) are individually enclosed, and fed by large PVC pipes gushing sulfuric springwater. A sign instructs you to plug the main drain and insert a tube into the overfill drain. The poor circulation unfortunately was unbearable to me. The sulfur was just too strong, and the facilities were observably in disrepair compared to the rest of the grounds.

Thankfully the main attractions are not the private pools. The meditation pool sits a brief walk past the entrance lodge. Fitting upwards of eight the meditation pool is set into the ground, and in the open air. A nearby gazebo acts as the primary landmark, a ramshackle shower is provided to clean yourself before entering the communal waters. The waters of the Meditation pool are warm, but not hot. And surrounded by pine and fir and more, one of the most peaceful locations to meditate or read a book, in water or out, clothed or not. Though the pool is accessible at night, it’s used less often then. Being isolated from any buildings the area can become black as pitch on a moonless night.

On the opposite extreme end of the grounds the main pool, sauna, and silent pool surround a massive deck with reclining chairs to look out at the fields and mountains by day, the glorious stars by night. The main pool is slightly cooler than the meditation pool, its temperature regulated to allow for both relaxing and swimming. The silent pool in contrast is a truly scalding hot bath, featuring accessory cold-plunge pools, all set in a small dome building. I can’t speak to the sauna as it wasn’t operational during my visit.

Sierra Hot Springs offers the rest of its amenities in its main building, which houses The Office, Communal Kitchen, Cafe, and a few cozy rooms for rent. The Office and lobby are lovely areas. With wood panelled walls and ceiling, plush couches, a few tables and chairs, and several full bookshelves. Around back you’ll find the kitchen, which is fully furnished with appliances, cookware, two refrigerators and numerous storage cubbies for guest’s food. Downstairs the cafe serves a rotating lunch/dinner selection always including a vegan option! Unfortunately I’ll have to admit I didn’t enjoy their Adobo Tofu. A pile of rice, peas, asparagus, and the tofu in question were haphazardly tossed on the plate. Rice and peas were better than bland, the asparagus just so-so. But the Adobo tofu was cloying of ginger, with cloves of garlic not fully cooked, it wasn’t marinated or baked or fried. (Or if it was it didn’t seem to be) Honestly it was the most disappointing part of the Hot Springs. A lovely asparagus is just a roasting pan, a drizzle of olive oil, and a generous shake of salt/pepper/garlic powder away! The tofu’s flavor was salvageable if it wasn’t swimming with knobs of ginger. Though the rooms available are lovely, we opted to camp. RVs, campervans, and tent camping are all permitted, with an anarchy claim system in the campgrounds. Judging by the number of spots even at peak dates I’d guess the campsites are still comfortably spaced. They were well-maintained; tent pitch spots already have mostly prepared ground.

Lastly, a 5 mile loop can be accessed past the campgrounds; a sonorous hike up and down ridges which gracelessly dumps you onto the gravel roads of the meadow. I took the whole path by foot, and found it lovely. Not a unique or special hike by any means, but definitely worth a trek. I also saw a man taking the path by mountain bike which I’ll try next time. Though be advised the trek definitely has elevation. Any experienced mountain biker should scoff at it though.

I can analyze the facilities with my checklists and snobbish opinions all I want. But at the end of the day the draw of Sierra Hot Springs is the experience. And its success is measured in how the place makes you feel. I felt primordial connections to the world and universe, I felt a peace and sense of adventure I haven’t felt since I was a kid. So I’d tell you if you do anything this summer, try meditating in the nude.