Is cross-dressing part of spiritual development?

[ChristineReid]

I agree quite strongly with this idea. I recently stood dressed in a remote place under the stars and acknowledged the spirit world as nina. I have not been struck down by lightning and now feel more at ease with a more complete self.

Nina - What a lovely and evocative example!

I do continue to sense that somehow this is about finding a (dynamic) balance at a spiritual level, here and now. Ripple effects out?

I do enjoy your energy in the quest for understanding and would encourage you to continue.

Kate - Nicely put - it is about a dynamic balance. Not quite sure what you meant by ripple effects out... Thanks for your encouragement.

Stop reading Carl Jeung and watch those other spirits that come out of a bottle or wherever.
Don't overthink and just get on with it.

It is certainly part of our development and we do vary what we do as we get older and wiser?

I will be watching for more thoughtful replies than mine.
Personally I do not know and do go with the flow whithout too much thought.

Beverley - There's no beating going with the flow (of thought and those spirits...) unfortunately I am a thinker and hence, in the cold light of day, I have to think. I sometimes think it would be nice not to have to though!

So, is a person's spiritual development impaired because he's not a crossdresser?

Nicole - no - I just think this is one among many, many paths - but one that has not generally been credited as being valid (something I think that is missing).

Psychology? Philosophy? Religion?

Once I recognized that the only truth is the truth itself and accepted myself for the gender faceted being I am, I've been able to spend more energy and time enjoying life instead of worrying about all of that contrived nonsense.

Carla - that's wonderful for you - unfortunately I am still a little stuck in the world of contrived nonsense - maybe one day I will be able to free myself from my intellectualising... I think it's a process I have to go through.

I believe this makes a lot of sense, Christine. We become more "spiritual" and authentic as we become aware of our own, hidden, inner reality. Jung also says each of us has a shadow side. For males, this "shadow" includes their anima (female principle). Our task as adult humans is to "eat our shadow"—i.e., integrate it into our whole person and thereby become complete individuals.

Dawn - nice to see it's not just me who is a bit loopy! I think Jung distinguished the shadow from the anima saying the shadow was easier to bring out and integrate the animas was the most difficult. I think the act of dressing brings it out more effectively (as a physical enactment of a ritual).

To have that inner peace is key.

Vikki - Yes indeed - but very elusive - I think we each have to find our own way.

I agree with you on some accounts. I believe that crossdressing can help our spiritual development progress but not necessarily. I think it can just as easily arrest our spiritual development as well as help it progress it. For me it has helped on a few accounts. Self-love and self-acceptance, for starters. Also, it has helped me face my fears and be a more courageous person. I also think my integrity has increased because I am not suppressing my shadow. But mostly, it forces me to practice restraint and work for a balance in my life. I have seen people that have let crossdressing hold so much real estate in their lives that it is difficult for them to function in jobs, relationships etc and I find that even though I love crossdressing, it serves me better to have boundaries and limitations.

Jill - you make some excellent points here - I agree - like anything it has to be controlled and not become an obsession - balance in all things.

I think Jung's anima theory has a lot to offer by way of explaining the need to express my feminity

Bridget - Thanks for your comment here - I have noticed that a lot of CDers are confused - if this helps by giving something of an explanantion then it may be worthwhile.

... I think that the maturing process is key to all this, because we eventually learn not to take everything so seriously, ....

Allie - I agree - there is so much conditioning that we have to let go of that allows us the freedom to be who we are - the maturity you mention.

Gospel of Thomas (one of the gospels not included in the modern bible) "Not until the male become female and the female male shall ye enter the kingdom of Heaven"


Lao Tzu in the Dao De Ching
Knowing the male, being the female,
Being the course through which flows the World,
One embraces unfailing Love

Ardhanarishvara represents the synthesis of masculine and feminine energies of the universe (Purusha and Prakriti) and illustrates how Shakti, the female principle of God, is inseparable from (or the same as, according to some interpretations) Shiva, the male principle of God.

There are many examples in myth and history but as Vikki says (paraphrasing here) until you can accept it it's not real.

Stella - wonderful! thanks

Totally agree with Jung, except there are many men who have integrated all aspects of themselves without needing to CDress.

I think it's wonderful that you enjoy the CDing, but I caution against attempts to rationalize your need for cross-gender expression. This may get in the way of full self-acceptance.

... besides, if the reintegration theory as it relates to the CDing is correct, would this mean that CDers eventually no longer need to crossdress after they've become reintegrated? This doesn't seem to be the trend among the members in this forum.


EDIT - However, I've no doubt that the cross-gender expression does feel like a spiritual experience for many CDers, since the crossdressing does cause elevated spirits.

Reine - Very interesting thoughts. I agree that cross-dressing is by no means essential for everyone - but it does seem so for many.

I don't necessarily like the idea of rationalising everything - but it seems to be necessary for me (at least for my left-brain side)

I don't think reintegration necessarily means not cross-dressing. I think reintegration means a full acceptance of both masculine and feminine and being able to express either persona but ultimately realising that they are both facets of an integrated whole.