naked is my orthopraxy

an essay about going to the Korean spa and building community that cherishes vulnerability

At this point in my life, my litmus test of deep friendship is pretty simple: am I comfortable enough to go to a Korean spa with you?

If you’ve been to the Korean spa then you understand this question. There is a lot of vulnerability that goes into being in a place of relaxation with another person. Am I ok with you hearing me constantly shift my body in the red clay? Can I nap on this heated floor with you and know that I’m safe? Will you think it’s weird that I thank the salt crystals and jade stones? Are we cool enough to sweat our lives away in the bulgama? These are important questions!

The biggest question is this: are we comfortable enough in our friendship to be naked together and not be self-critical of our bodies?