Naked Before God

A fifth century Syrian monk (Pseudo-Dionysius) once wrote:

"When we encounter the matchless glory of the divine, we find ourselves not simply running short of words but actually speechless and unknowing - standing naked before God without the protective interference of language."

 

I've often heard the phrase "naked before God" used to describe the state of brokeness one should be in to stand in the presence of the almighty.  In the context of my spiritual upbringing, this phrase also implies not just the casting off of our sinful nature, but also the glaring humiliation of one's own nakedness.  This notion of standing naked before God was most often used in context of God's displeasure and of his judgement.  It was used by the church I was raised in to shed light on the vast difference between the goodness of God and the base carnality of mankind.  I suppose some of that stems from the story of Adam covering himself in the Garden of Eden because he saw he "was naked and was ashamed."

As I sit in meditation, I see a new construct of this "naked before God" concept.  In meditation, as in many spiritual practices, everything fades away except the connection with the Divine.  There is no brokeness.  There is no judgement.  There is no thought of covering oneself up because of shame.  There is only the sense of oneness, love and overwhelming peace. It is the recognition of the Divine flowing through us.