Burning Man - Party or Spiritual Journey?

Shawnster · Post by **Shawnster** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 4:40 pm

It was my first year and I had a complicated time. I went to party but ended up doing a lot of soul-searching. (I've been writing about it here: http://www.guttersnipenews.com/)

Wondering if anyone else had a similar experience this year?

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 4:51 pm

It's a spiritual journey if you think that it is.

It's also a spiritual journey if you don't think it is.

Token · Post by **Token** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 5:14 pm

Ha!

Go hang with Death Guild. They'll suck the spirit right out of ya.

Roberto Dobbisano · Post by **Roberto Dobbisano** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 5:57 pm

Token wrote:Ha!

Go hang with Death Guild. They'll suck the spirit right out of ya.

thats the spirit!

i hear they have a GREAT secret cuddle puddle huddle Hut sponsored by Hot Topic and Sir Goth-a-Lot's fine Dining and Dungeon.

fciron · Post by **fciron** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 6:39 pm

The answer is Yes!

Wait, could you repeat the question?

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:01 pm

It's just a week-long camping trip in the desert.

Kinetik V · Post by **Kinetik V** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:34 pm

It is a week long camping trip in the desert.

It is SO MUCH MORE than just a week long camping trip in the desert. When the man burns it is my New Years Eve. It literally now starts my year, emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually, even financially. I return from the burn empowered to make sweeping changes. This event is a crucible. Every year I go and pour myself into it...the event adds a mix of playa dust, artistic inspiration, and the wild card element of people...some of the most diverse people I will find in America. Take all of that and mix it together and each year from the crucible of BRC I get reforged with new strengths, new inspirations...it literally transforms who I am...and that in turn has rubbed off on my family, even the people I've worked with. It's caused me to go back and push local government issues where before I was shy...highway projects that needed feedback got it. Tax protests were organized. On and on it goes but this event at least for me is so much more than just a damn camping trip. 7 years of attending have produced a long list of positive changes. I can't speak for anyone else's experience but for me, this is the single most important event of the year.

makoona · Post by **makoona** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:25 pm

Both.

And a crap load more.

To be honest, I've never been able to define it adequately, so I gave up seriously trying.

It's one of the qualities of BM I love most. That my mind cannot grasp the entirety of what burning man is, and so my relationship with it includes elements of surrender and faith.

I admire people who make films and write books about it, yet there will always be something missing from those investigations. And ain't that wonderful?

Turnip · Post by **Turnip** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 1:49 pm

The only answer is it is what you make of it.

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:49 am

It is what it is.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:58 am

[youtube][/youtube]

RedHeaven · Post by **RedHeaven** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:10 pm

I go to some really awesome tight knit music festivals all year long (High Sierra, Bobolink, Las Tortugas, Earthdance, etc) and I go there and PARTAY, I feel comfort, I LOVE the music, I am totally completely in my element.

AFter zenning out on BMan for 10 yers I finally bucked up and went in 05. I knew it was not going to be my place to grooove my ass off completely, feel cozy, and be queen of the hive.

in a way, this is WHY I find I go to BMan. Soul search.....Some years have been more party than others (06 and 08), other years more introspective (07 and this year) but every time I am stripped and put back in an extra expressive, super me mode.

It really is what it is for everyone. While I love the On Top Of THe World Queen feeling I get at High Sierra, I also love the All I Am Is Dust In The Wind feeling I get at BMan.

If you go again, you will find pockets of it all if you are open to it I would think.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:52 pm

BM is an empty cup. Bring your own drink.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:53 pm

amen.

well said, RedHeaven, well said.

peace · Post by **peace** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:49 pm

Do those have to be different things? Stop thinking from the default world.

Artemis · Post by **Artemis** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:02 pm

Ugly Dougly wrote:BM is an empty cup. Bring your own drink.

and use the saucer to keep your cup covered, or better yet bring a sippy cup

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:12 pm

It's a dessert wax that's also a floor topping!

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:36 pm

and that drop's good too

Paraflier · Post by **Paraflier** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 12:37 pm

Ugly Dougly wrote:

That's a very nice doily you have there.

oscillator · Post by **oscillator** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 4:39 pm

Can we get a visual on that? How about an amazing timelapse sequence of Evolution 2009?

Yes we can!

Thanks Delrious!

\osc