Newbie question: places to meditate at BM.

carleighb · Post by **carleighb** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:12 pm

Hello!
Thanks for reading this.
This will be my first year. Although I am getting the picture (loud and clear!) that having expectations for the event is a big mistake, Iâ€™m hoping find a nice place to do some meditation. Of course my tent will work just fine, and Iâ€™m not silly enough to anticipate finding somewhere serene and silent in the midst of all the craziness.
Iâ€™ve read many online stories chronicling peopleâ€™s adventures, and although most people claim that BM can be anything you want it to be, I havenâ€™t found much found much info on this side of things. Can you enlighten me?

Thank you.

Post by **Sham** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:25 pm

There are several quiet art installations for you to meditate. I bring my lunch with me and always enjoy the peace and quiet of some of these oasis.
The best spot for quiet meditaion is the Temple of Rememberance. This is a quiet, dignified spot for people to sit, reflect and have some introspective time for themselves. Each year the temple is built in some sort of different shape or form, but always has the right atmosphere for meditation.
I hope this information helps and welcome to eplaya and to Burning Man!!

carleighb · Post by **carleighb** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:31 pm

This is exactly the kind of information I was hoping to get, thank you Shambala! And thanks for the welcome!

justfred · Post by **justfred** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:31 pm

I think the best place to meditate would be the far playa. Get out far enough, and it gets pretty serene and peaceful sometimes - especially around dawn; other times you can just hear the boom-cha of the sound camps.

That or in the middle of a dust storm - they're pretty good at blurring out all the distractions with white noise.

Oldguy · Post by **Oldguy** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:40 pm

Welcome to eplaya.

There are many places for quiet contemplation. My first thought was the walk-in camping area where no vehicles are allowed. The southeast corner near the trashfence is about as far away physically you can get without leaving the event area. The first couple of days participants are flying in and that point is near the flightline. After that, things quiet down.

My second thought was the the blue throne rooms disguised as port-a-potties. I have sought refuge there during duststorms, I don't mind the smell because I was raised in a rural area.

My third thought was the Man himself. Many gather at dawn or sunset for just that purpose. He is the center point for the event layout and sometimes I've been there, and surprisingly, alone.

carleighb · Post by **carleighb** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:45 pm

Well, it sounds like maybe I will be able to find some nice peaceful places. And a dust storm is anything but peaceful, but sounds like an awesome idea too! Thanks justfred!

carleighb · Post by **carleighb** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:53 pm

Oldguy, it must seem a bit eerie to find yourself alone at such a big (and boisterous!) gathering!

Thanks for the welcome, and I will add your hints to my quickly growing list!

hsdavis · Post by **hsdavis** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:04 pm

Keep in mind that there are 9 square miles of playa that we are penned into. You can find a nice quiet, unused square mile to set up a blanket and enjoy an incredible open playa all to yourself. I have done this and the feeling of immortality comes over you and you will have the best meditation you have ever had. Remember, this is Burning Man and you can make it whatever you want to.

SpacemanSpliff · Post by **SpacemanSpliff** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:44 am

Deep playa would work wonderfully. You can still get lost out there. Also, entheon village has places specifically dedicated to meditation.

Post by **mdmf007** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:32 am

Like This?

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:39 am

Just a personal peeve: Be aware that if you are meditating on an art piece, that people may want to take a picture of it. Try to be courteous if that situation arises. No one says you must move, but it doesn't hurt to play well with others. I try not to disturb people who are meditating or fucking, but sometimes I just would like to have that one picture ...

There are camps which facilitate meditation, check the guide you will be handed at the gate.

carleighb · Post by **carleighb** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:14 am

"I try not to disturb people who are meditating or fucking"

This is awesome. Anti M, if you see a wide-eyed, obvious first timer wandering the Playa with a t shirt on that says this, you will have found me. Please say hello!
And I will be sure to be respectful of other peoples photographic needs! I kind of believe that the only way to meditate successfully in any public place is to embrace everything, even the "disruptions". Hell, I do it every morning in the bedroom with my husband snoring away at full volume!!

I am very thankful for everyone's help! Its hard for me not to be a little nervous about whats to come, so its very helpful to be able to benefit from your knowledge and experiences!

:)

Post by **Elderberry** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:20 pm

I'm curious carleighb, are you going with your husband or by yourself?

JK

carleighb · Post by **carleighb** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:28 pm

It will be me, hubby, and a few of our buddies. I'm likely to be doing my own thing alot though, as the rest of the group is a little more party oriented than me. Hey, it takes all kinds, right?

mojo · Post by **mojo** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 1:19 pm

Welcome Home Carleigh. The playa will provide you with PLENTY of distraction and will keep you busy. It is very hard to be lonely unless you wish it.

carleighb · Post by **carleighb** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 1:32 pm

Thanks mojo! I love your ethereal bunny avatar! I hear there is a Billion Bunny March @ BM! If there are a billion bunnies there, I'm sure I wont be lonely ;)

Cassidy · Post by **Cassidy** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 1:56 pm

haha...

"IF there are a billion bunnies there..."??

ha ha - you just wait.

carleighb · Post by **carleighb** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 2:14 pm

Yayyyyyyyyyy!

I also hear that there are plenty of squished bunnies on the road to BM. I have 3 (non-squished) bunnies, right now they are flooped out on the floor giving me dirty looks because in on the computer during "petting time"

carleighb · Post by **carleighb** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 2:14 pm

Ahem... that would be "I'm on the computer"....

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 2:33 pm

Yes, the bunnies on the road get squished. Just the cruel universe at work.

carleighb · Post by **carleighb** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 2:56 pm

sigh... Im glad I know ahead of time so I can avoid looking at the road too much.
Perhaps I could look at a large bottle of Tequila instead. That should keep my mind off things.

Barbie · Post by **Barbie** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:21 pm

Did some one say TEquila??

Out beyond the Outside Ring AND the ROAD on the 9:00 side of BRC is very, very quite with an AMAZING view of the Black ROcks!! This is where I go to hang out if I want quite. PAy attention to Cars if around YOU and make Yourself be seen. Welcome Home!!!

Don't swerve to MISS the BUNNIES you could KILL US ALL!!!

carleighb · Post by **carleighb** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:39 pm

"Don't swerve to MISS the BUNNIES you could KILL US ALL!!!"

Dont worry, that is exactly why I will not be driving once we get into bunny country!
Me and the other bleeding heart animal rights types will be swilling Patron in the back, where we belong!

Thanks for the welcome Barbie!

mojo · Post by **mojo** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:45 pm

The bunnies aren't deadly if you don't swerve to avoid them. It's the fucking cows that lie down on the blacktop at night to soak up the remaining warmth that are really scary.

GO VERY SLOWLY ON THE WAY IN, DON'T PASS CARS, RELAX.

carleighb · Post by **carleighb** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:50 pm

Yikes! Steak tartare.

Barbie · Post by **Barbie** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:06 pm

In fact, if you can figure out how to arrive on the 447 during the day You'll be a LOT better OFF... But For SURE pay Attention and don't speed and DON'T pull off the Road unless its a pull out.

If tequila is your liquor of choice (it Is Mine) BRING a LOt of it- Its kinda hard to find on the PLAYA. I'm not sure really why BUT its always the liquor that goes first. NOT to worry thou you can always come by Blackie's Bar & Grill at 9:15 and second to last ring I HAVe A stash of TEquila!!!

Post by **Elderberry** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:11 pm

mojo wrote:The bunnies aren't deadly if you don't swerve to avoid them. It's the fucking cows that lie down on the blacktop at night to soak up the remaining warmth that are really scary.

GO VERY SLOWLY ON THE WAY IN, DON'T PASS CARS, RELAX.

Damn, this last year we took the 'scenic' route and avoided most of the freeways from LA to BRC. I'm glad we didn't run into any cows--laying down or standing. That could have really fucked up our trip.

JK

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:30 am

carleighb wrote:Yikes! Steak tartare.

Yes. And beyond the tow and the damage for the car--if it's repairable--I hear it's $500 for the cow.

carleighb · Post by **carleighb** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:34 am

[quote="Barbie"] If tequila is your liquor of choice (it Is Mine) BRING a LOt of it- Its kinda hard to find on the PLAYA. I'm not sure really why BUT its always the liquor that goes first. NOT to worry thou you can always come by Blackie's Bar & Grill at 9:15 and second to last ring I HAVe A stash of TEquila!!![/quote]

Thank you!! Thats just awesome of you. I will bring alot, some to share too! It seems like the appropriate drink for this event.

I went to Mexico a few years back for a stagette and I hadn't had much Tequila before because its hard to get anything but Cuervo here.

Wow. Of course I had heard of its reputation, but I figured that nothing could take down my inhibitions to the life of the party/ first one naked etc... level. I was soooo wrong. I was like a completely different person!

Bit of a ramble there... sorry!

carleighb · Post by **carleighb** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:37 am

theCryptofishist wrote:
carleighb wrote:Yikes! Steak tartare.
Yes. And beyond the tow and the damage for the car--if it's repairable--I hear it's $500 for the cow.

Yikes, thats a pricey steak! Not to mention a big mess.

Newbie question: places to meditate at BM.

Newbie question: places to meditate at BM.

Far Playa