Burning Man as Spiritual Outlet?

[johnwmorehead]

I had the privilege of being a part of Burning Man last year and I was struck by the symbolism and ritual going on that made it seem that Burning Man, at least for some, [i]functioned[/i] as some form of new spiritual outlet that people use as an alternative to organized or traditional religion.

Anyone else have this feeling or experience?

[BAS]

With some of the artwork/shrines/temples out on the playa, yes. I rather liked that aspect. Fun and seriousness, ritual and experimentation, one tempered by the other (and neither forced on anyone).

Last year was my first year, too, and hopefully not my last.


B.

[Dork]

I think there is some of that, but I think for many it's simply seen as a safe place to express their pre-existing beliefs. The rituals are intentionally vague - lots of fire and dancing. Also lots of people open to trying new things. People are able to project their own meaning on the rituals.

I don't think I've heard of anyone abandoning a mainstream religion in favor of Burning Man - they usually come because they already decided they need something different. It does seem to fit the needs of some people for ritual, but if they weren't coming here they could likely find something else. Traditional religion is not the only other outlet.

[Teo del Fuego]

more discussion of this than you'd ever care to read can be found in a recent post here by a fellow who did his seminary dissertation on the relgious implications of Burning Man. He was an attendee and his paper was sorta interesting. It was a thesis or dissertation after all and was very scholarly, not meant to be a breezy read. Post was a few days ago if your interested.

[johnwmorehead]

Thanks for the feedback thus far.

I think I miscommunicated somewhat. I didn't mean to ask whether folks thought that people abandoned traditional religion for Burning Man, but whether people who had already "turned off" on traditional religion found Burning Man helpful or meaningful as a place where they could explore their own alternative spiritual pathways.

And thanks for the recommendation on the thesis that was somewhat interesting. I'm the author!

I look forward to other thoughts.

[motskyroonmatick]

I am non religious and fairly to very anti religion. I avoided the connexus cathedral when it was up. It to me was a stark symbol of the catholic church and I really don't appreciate the brutatity of their past. With that said the yearly temple is the only place where I feel comfortable in the way that a temple is supposed to bring comfort. I think it is the radical acceptance expressed at burning man that makes me comfortable there and that the temple is built for all of us. No matter who we are or what we believe. I really like the freedom everyone has at burning man.
I am glad that people who worship fire and sleep in the ashes of the man get to do their thing.

[Badger]

I didn't mean to ask whether folks thought that people abandoned traditional religion for Burning Man, but whether people who had already "turned off" on traditional religion found Burning Man helpful or meaningful as a place where they could explore their own alternative spiritual pathways.

I think that's a pretty good assessment as it applies to some people who attend.

Traditional venues of worship have been abandoned for myriad reasons (ex-communication, falls from grace, loss of spiritual resonance, etc.) by a lot of folks who I've known on the playa. I think it's interesting to see just how intense the Temple burns can be. I've always had this personal belief that culturally we really don't ritualize grief all that much. It tends to be a very personal thing and traditional avenues such as churches often tend to sanitize it. To hear more than a few people in the crowd keening, yelling, crying and openly weeping suggests to me that there is a touch stone of sorts for a lot of people who've not really been able to tap into the more primal aspects of processing loss and coming to terms with it.

[Teo del Fuego]

And thanks for the recommendation on the thesis that was somewhat interesting. I'm the author!

Doooh!
(Smacks forehead with palm.)

Mind if I forward your paper to a hottie I know in Denver Seminary right now? Im trying to convince her that BM is not a blasphemous pagan ritual.

(Well, okay, Im trying to convince her she wont go to hell if she sleeps with me. But whatever.)

[johnwmorehead]

Sure, feel free to pass along my thesis to the "Denver hottie" to give her another perspective on Burning Man. As to your efforts in the romance area, you're on your own! :lol:

[Teo del Fuego]

heeey, what a minute...I have an idea.

[sound of rusty gears turning inside a cranium]

How old are you John? Are you by any chance looking for a tall, very attractive 43 year old bilingual single female whose going to Seminary right now? If I were a Christian, we'd be married already, but we're not "evenly yoaked." Or "yolked" not sure.

[johnwmorehead]

[quote="Teo del Fuego"]heeey, what a minute...I have an idea. :idea:

[sound of rusty gears turning inside a cranium]

How old are you John? Are you by any chance looking for a tall, [i]very[/i] attractive 43 year old bilingual single female whose going to Seminary right now? If I were a Christian, we'd be married already, but we're not "evenly yoaked." Or "yolked" not sure. :?:[/quote]

If I were not already married I'd take you up on an introduction. The age, gender, and background are right up until the marital status!

But thanks for thinking of me.

[MozyBonz]

I had the privilege of being a part of Burning Man last year and I was struck by the symbolism and ritual going on that made it seem that Burning Man, at least for some, functioned as some form of new spiritual outlet that people use as an alternative to organized or traditional religion.

Anyone else have this feeling or experience?

Huh?

[helitack]

I had the privilege of being a part of Burning Man last year and I was struck by the symbolism and ritual going on that made it seem that Burning Man, at least for some, functioned as some form of new spiritual outlet that people use as an alternative to organized or traditional religion.

Anyone else have this feeling or experience?

No, and...


Huh?

[robbidobbs]

I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention.
What now?

[pinemom]

I had the privilege of being a part of Burning Man last year and I was struck by the symbolism and ritual going on that made it seem that Burning Man, at least for some, functioned as some form of new spiritual outlet that people use as an alternative to organized or traditional religion.

Anyone else have this feeling or experience?

Huh?
Privilege?(sounds like getting your drivers license)
More like ya bought a ticket and "EXPERIECED IT".
This is Radical Self Reliance.
This is a Glorified Theatrical and Artistic camping trip to the middle of bum fuck Egypt.
Even "most" of the (insert religion here) people that go out there, dont preach (somewhat shocking huh?)

Now on the other hand if you had a supercallifrajalistic warm fuzzy feeling that went from the tips of your toes to the split ends of your hair....
...still not religion, its LOVE! in the most un-adulterated way, true respect and admiration for one another in the Biggest WAY!

[Ugly Dougly]

Religion is not always necessarily spiritual.
and
Spiritual is not always necessarily religious.

[Apollonaris Zeus]

Traditional venues of worship have been abandoned for myriad reasons (ex-communication...

How'd ya know I've been ex-ed?

it just happen just last year after pope benny found out I had burned my babtismal on the man. He even said, "hey A'a Z, don't you a call me noah more! I'm a change a my a number.

[BAS]

Now on the other hand if you had a supercallifrajalistic warm fuzzy feeling that went from the tips of your toes to the split ends of your hair....
...still not religion, its LOVE! in the most un-adulterated way, true respect and admiration for one another in the Biggest WAY!

Wait-a-minute! I've experienced that feeling with food and, sometimes, booze...?!?

Now I am really confused...


B.

[Me2]

And thanks for the recommendation on the thesis that was somewhat interesting. I'm the author!

Hey could u please direct me to your dissertation, i'd like to read it

[johnwmorehead]

[quote="Me2"][quote]And thanks for the recommendation on the thesis that was somewhat interesting. I'm the author![/quote]

[color=indigo]Hey could u please direct me to your dissertation, i'd like to read it[/color][/quote]
Sure, it can be downloaded here:

[url]http://www.lop45.org/forum/forum/upload ... d-only.doc[/url]

[Me2]

I think i broke something!

I tried the above link and it didn't work

[MikeVDS]

http://www.lop45.org/forum/forum/upload ... d-only.doc

Try that

[Me2]

Thanks. That worked much, much better.

[mojo]

I dear friend of mine is a long time participant and also is an Orthodox Priest. I think you would really enjoy his lovely liberal point of view. PM me if you want me to pass along your info to him.

[BAS]

It seems to me that those who understand their religion best, seem to have a more tolerant outlook on what others believe. Especially when it comes to the larger religions.


B.

[Me2]

I totally agree with u BAS. I consider myself a Christian, but i've given up on organized religion because it's generally too narrow-minded. Those that are the most rigid about trying to enforce their own sense of religiosity and spirituality generally tend to get very legalistic and turn people off. Live and let live i say.

[stew]

I wouldn't be surprised if 100 years from now Burning Man becomes an actual religion. It hast most of the major ingredients anyway: prophets and legends around them, fundamental rules of conduct ("leave no trace"), symbols, rituals and a rite of passage (your virgin burn).

Members of the religion are already preaching the gospel to non-believers and are starting their own local groups.

[Bob]

BRC probably has more in common w/ Pamplona than Vatican City. All tourists, either way.

[Ugly Dougly]

BRC probably has more in common w/ Pamplona than Vatican City. All tourists, either way.

The running of the bulls can be a very spiritual experience, broadly defined.

[Bob]

Fucking PeTA ruins everything.