Harbin and the Bohemian Grove, so much in common

[mykil]

Over the last ten years or so that I have been attending Harbin on a regular basis, I have come across some crazy acquisitions towards what goes on up there. This morn I was helping out a friend and she asks me about Harbin. Her thoughts were specific in organ; she wanted to know if people were having sex out in the open in the pools or if they were at least a little conspicuous and tried to hide it a little. I have to laugh! Over and over I hear what a meat market Harbin is and how it is just a place to pick up on people and have sex. I love the media and really find it amusing, yet in all my time I have been going to Harbin I have never even attempted to approach another and ask for so much as a dance or a hug for that matter. To me it is a place of rest and relaxation along with some heavy meditation as well and that is that. I will not infringe on another’s sacred sanctuary while they are meditating in the warm pool or relaxing on the deck. I find it so amusing thou that so many people feel this way. I am sure over the years there has been a few bad experiences along the way, I have heard of a few myself. But to be perfectly honest I feel it is much safer than walking into Whole Foods in down town Sebastopol.
This hysteria really reminds me so much of how people feel about the Bohemian Grove. The bad rep it has gotten over the years as well. I have worked at the grove off and on when I was a young lad and know what goes on up yonder as well. I feel it is completely hysterical what people feel goes on up in the woods on the river. I have heard so many tales of human sacrifices and plans to take over the world in such it really cracks me up, When really it is just a bunch of guys hanging out wanting to live like we do for just if only a moment in time to take the burden off their shoulders and get drunk and smoking dope. So try to remember if you are a Harbin regular you are frowned upon by a few that stereotype you and put you in the same categories as if you go to the Grove for a summer retreat and sacrifice women and children and plan to blow up the world. You are such bad people I can’t even… So now let’s hear all the bad stories about you bad experiences at Harbin to get those out of the way and move on to how god awful the Grove is, and how wrong I am, I Just can’t wait…

[gentlewoman]

Sorry to disappoint anyone who might be looking to hook up, but I agree with you, that Harbin is really a sanctuary. I have had no bad experiences, only healing visits. The yoga teachers are especially awesome, I recommend their classes, a bit of swimming, a massage and the hot pool! A whole health-restorative retreat that you can fit into one 6-hour visit.

[mykil]

Here is a reply from Hales, another individual that has problems with the button on the right! HA! “The reply publicly button is on the right Scott”! One day maybe Barry shall address this issue but …

"Her thoughts were specific in organ".. Ha, ha.. your use of language is perfect, and priceless, as usual, Mykil.. ; )

I guess part of what you wanted to communicate was that it makes no sense for judging people if they want to get away to the woods and waters, to relax, even if their values seem a bit "different".. many of the needs are pretty universal.. to relax, shed some layers and have fun.

I've gone to Harbin, maybe 20 times, or so, over the years. I agree with Mykil and Gentlewoman; I go to Harbin to relax, unwind, meditate, integrate, enjoy nature, etc., and I have never hit on anyone, or been hit on, while there.

Most of the times I have gone there, my main activity has been soaking in the hot and cold baths, with quite a focus on breathing, visualizing, meditating, letting go, going inward, releasing stress and other people's energy, (I do body work for a living), and integrating aspects of of myself, healing any traumas, etc.. Doing this I find I can really attain a deep relaxation and let go of a lot of the accumulated stresses of life. I also often am able to experience a euphoric heightening of awareness. Things get kinda sparkley and purty.. and I feel really delicious.. this usually happens in the cold plunge, after a good soak in the very hot pool, or a series of alternating soaks; hot/cold, hot/cold, etc.

In between, I admit I enjoy shedding my clothes and being surrounded by the diverse array of other beautiful souls in their "altogether", as a friend would call it.. I love bodies and I love to see them, without all the wrappings and trappings of society. For me it's a relief to feel free and unselfconscious about physical appearances. It's kind of enlightening, I think, to see the variety of body styles, not to mention body piercings, tattoos, and scars that people sport.. and after a while it doesn't seem all that important what someone looks like.. it's what's inside that counts, after all. A beautiful body with a rude, mean, or thoughtless mind inside is not as beautiful as a happy, loving, conscious soul in any kind of body. (That's my own opinion of course..)

I wonder what kind of society we would have, if most people felt comfortable bathing together? I think societies that do, are probably happier and healthier, in general..

Scott.

[ulaluma]

I've been to Harbin several times and have never felt threatened, disrespected, or in anyway made uncomfortable.
I grew up in a conservative, modest household and thought I could never be comfortable nude in a public place, but once I was there, the peace, quiet, and respectful energy allowed me safety to do so!
I get the sense that there could be some of that "meat-market" environment going on if I looked for it, and I have no idea what's going on in private outside of the public pool areas, but to me it's a peaceful sanctuary that offers different amenities than the other clothing optional hot-springs in the area.

[Cheryl]

Mixed feelings about Harbin.... Sometimes it is not just a matter of what people choose to see, but also whether their eyes are really open, not just to their experience but also to others'. I'm basing this on my own experiences there, as the gossip about that place can be pretty wild.
Harbin has some good qualities, but as soon as a female friend and I split up for a few minutes in the big communal pool, we each got hit on and it was very unwelcome.
There was also a guy ogling the women who were running between the cold and hot soaks, and he was very obvious about it, but we had the last laugh--we were going back and forth pretty quickly to get the full benefit of them, and he tried keeping up, then was huffing and puffing and ended up backing away from the pool area. :):

[aquarianyogi]

Harbin is such an amazing experience. The energy that exudes takes you in and heals you, inside and out. I feel it's a place of simplicity and beauty that you can truly appreciate when you strip yourself down, from the thoughts, fears, materials, including clothes. It's how we can come back to what is important to us, and what in fact makes us happy. Experiencing the springs with others and in their stripped down vulnerable way, is beautiful. I think this scares a lot of people, the unknown, or knowing what might actually make them happy. The people that talk are just afraid. So let us enjoy the space and the openminded that do come share.