...in front of the icons. Is this weird?

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Asbestos_Mango

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I have a, well, not so much a problem as an issue.

My bedroom is very small. My icon corner, which is in my bedroom, is very large- large enough that it has a substation next to the door. Both are in front of my closet.

So, in the morning, when I’m getting dressed, I start to feel embarrassed in my unclothed state because I feel like the icons can see me- almost like suddenly realizing that you are in the altogether in front of an open window. I usually just turn my back to the icon corner, and end up facing the substation, which isn’t as bad because the only thing facing me there is a picture of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and, hey, we’re both girls, so it’s OK.

I’m getting to the point that I think I should just take my clothes and go dress in the bathroom.

Am I being silly?
 
Icons are just pictures.

If you must, cover them with a scarf when you dress. It is kind of weird, but not psycho weird. More cute weird.
 
There is a small shrine in my closet. There is an icon on my night-table facing my bed. There is a picture of Our Lady of Guadeloupe on my desk. There is a crucifix and a brass plate depicting the Sacred Heart above my desk. The Pope is over my bookshelf. A print of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Virgin and Child with St. Anne is above my bed.

Does it matter if any of these images see getting dressed? Of course not. They cannot see. They cannot hear. They are images (some are sacramentals, but still wood and brass and paint and whatever else). And I dont think God cares if I’m unclothed in my own bedroom- He created me after all 😉
 
Caesar said:
Does it matter if any of these images see getting dressed? Of course not. They cannot see. They cannot hear. They are images (some are sacramentals, but still wood and brass and paint and whatever else). And I dont think God cares if I’m unclothed in my own bedroom- He created me after all 😉
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Exactly - you can run and hide and cover those images all you want but God, Mary and the Saints still see you anyway. Sounds a big Big Brother-ish frankly, but I mean it in the nicest possible way - I think of 'em as a great big old cheersquad.
 
I’m pretty sure our brethren in heaven are having a good chuckle. Not only can’t the icons see you, but what makes you think those in the beatific vision can’t see you nude even while wearing clothes? haha 😉
 
Hi, Mango. You used to be Thea Logica at the SDMB, right?

If it bothers you, cover them. I expect the saints don’t care if you’re naked in your bedroom, but I would find it a little weird to have all those eyes on me. Even painted ones.
 
Lissla_Lissar said:
Hi, Mango. You used to be Thea Logica at the SDMB, right?
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Hey, yeah, fancy running into you here!!! I wondered how long it would take for the SDMB spies to find me!
If it bothers you, cover them. I expect the saints don’t care if you’re naked in your bedroom, but I would find it a little weird to have all those eyes on me. Even painted ones.
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Yeah, logically I know the icons are only pictures and can’t see me (only one of them is even blessed, and that one is in a positition where it couldn’t even if it could), and that the God, the saints and angels can see me with or without the icons, but still…

Actually, for the past few weeks, I’ve been acutely aware of the presence of St. Michael and, to a lesser extent, my GA, in my life, everywhere and at any time, which was a bit unnerving last week in the fitting room at Target (it was a really weird day).

Covering the icons is a bit impractical- they are attached to the inside of a rather large bookcase, which I took a shelf out of to accomodate them. I would basically have to throw a blanket over the whole bookcase and hope it didn’t fall off before I got my clothes back on.
 
Hi, it’s a tad child like to imagine the saints pictured on those icons would care about nakedness, I think it’s more of an earthly concern.
 
Carrie_Andrews said:
Hi, it’s a tad child like to imagine the saints pictured on those icons would care about nakedness, I think it’s more of an earthly concern.
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So, are you saying I have a child-like faith?

Somehow, I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
 
Well, that would definetly not be a bad thing for as is stated " At that time the disciples 2 approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2
He called a child over, placed it in their midst,
3
and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:1-3 🙂
 
Asbestos_Mango said:
I have a, well, not so much a problem as an issue.

My bedroom is very small. My icon corner, which is in my bedroom, is very large- large enough that it has a substation next to the door. Both are in front of my closet.

So, in the morning, when I’m getting dressed, I start to feel embarrassed in my unclothed state because I feel like the icons can see me- almost like suddenly realizing that you are in the altogether in front of an open window. I usually just turn my back to the icon corner, and end up facing the substation, which isn’t as bad because the only thing facing me there is a picture of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and, hey, we’re both girls, so it’s OK.

I’m getting to the point that I think I should just take my clothes and go dress in the bathroom.

Am I being silly?
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I do something a bit similar to yours but not that I am worry about Them seeing me, but I want to show my respect by not changing in front of the icons, statue - just go to the bathroom. 🙂
 
Asbestos_Mango said:
So, are you saying I have a child-like faith?

Somehow, I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
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I don’t think anything about your post is bad, yes, in a way a child like faith. I just meant to convey that you don’t have any worrys in this area.
 
I think you’re taking the Windows To Heaven explanation a tad too literally. While icons are not “just paintings,” they’re also not peepholes for voyeuristic saints. 🙂

This might help you. Look at the icons. Do you see the enlarged eyes? Why do you think that is that would make them so large? (Hint: It’s not from looking at your tummy.)

The saints are always present with us. Icons allow us to connect with them in a personal and intimate way and to remember their presence. It helps to make them tangible to us. Don’t allow that knowledge to be a cause of anxiety; allow it to bring you comfort and grace.

And, if it helps you feel any better, I frequently see posted here that The Little Flower would pray while sitting on the toilet. You’ve got a ways to go to be comfortable in your prayer to be on par with her. 😛
 
Asbestos_Mango said:
I have a, well, not so much a problem as an issue.

My bedroom is very small. My icon corner, which is in my bedroom, is very large- large enough that it has a substation next to the door. Both are in front of my closet.

So, in the morning, when I’m getting dressed, I start to feel embarrassed in my unclothed state because I feel like the icons can see me- almost like suddenly realizing that you are in the altogether in front of an open window. I usually just turn my back to the icon corner, and end up facing the substation, which isn’t as bad because the only thing facing me there is a picture of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and, hey, we’re both girls, so it’s OK.

I’m getting to the point that I think I should just take my clothes and go dress in the bathroom.

Am I being silly?
Click to expand...
No, your are not being silly.

I often behave this way myself.

We are simply giving respect to whom the icons/pictures represent.

It’s a blessing …
 
Polish said:
There is a distinct difference between an icon and a religious painting. For anyone who doesn’t know, here’s a site that can explain things for anyone interested.

byzantines.net/moreinfo/icons.htm

🙂
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Yes, very good, Polish. I was just waiting for someone to point out in Byzantine thought icons are more than mere wood and paint, but are have been held since ancient times as windows into heaven.

'Course I’m sure who ever is looking in from the other end of said window is more concerned about the state of me soul rather than me bum-bum.

Best, :tiphat:
 
I have many holy images and icons in my room. However, the only time I felt like covering something while changing was when I first obtained the first class relic of St. Anne. I felt because I had small bone chip of the Grandmother of Jesus that she was physically in the room and I felt uncomfortable dressing in front of such a sacred object. So I veiled the reliquary. However, I have gotten over that and I don’t cover the reliquary with a veil anymore.

As far as icons and statues, I don’t feel uncomfortable changing in front of them. They are just representations and if their spirits wanted to look they would look.

However, I don’t think God, Our Lady or the saints would be snoopy enough to look at you. :nope:
 
Asbestos_Mango said:
I have a, well, not so much a problem as an issue.

My bedroom is very small. My icon corner, which is in my bedroom, is very large- large enough that it has a substation next to the door. Both are in front of my closet.

So, in the morning, when I’m getting dressed, I start to feel embarrassed in my unclothed state because I feel like the icons can see me- almost like suddenly realizing that you are in the altogether in front of an open window. I usually just turn my back to the icon corner, and end up facing the substation, which isn’t as bad because the only thing facing me there is a picture of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and, hey, we’re both girls, so it’s OK.

I’m getting to the point that I think I should just take my clothes and go dress in the bathroom.

Am I being silly?
Click to expand...
In a sense it is good because you are noticing the sacramental nature to the icon.
 
"SDMB spies!’ That’s great!

There’s at least one other Catholic SDMBer here, although I don’t know if she posts regularly.
 
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