the temple burn

red arrow · Post by **red arrow** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 3:04 am

Whats it like?

I only went to burning man once (2008) - we only stayed for the main burn before packing up and leaving directly afterwards. We had burned out and needed 'real world' comforts after being on the playa for the first time.

I found the whole burning of the man experience a little bit hard to take it (lump in the throat and single frozen tear in my eye kinda thing)... :P

It put some things into perspective being there, the fireworks and the whole burn event opened up my mind to hundreds of memories about people who have passed away, and they all sort of came flooding back at once without me being able to stop it or block it out.

This year we are (by default) going to be there for the temple burn, which im sort of looking forward to in a weird apprehensive kind of way.

Anyone care to give me some info on what to expect? I would imagine it will be a far more ambient affair?

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 4:52 am

What's it like?

It depends on the person. But if the burning of the man brought a tear to your eye, the temple burn may do that ten fold. Its a great end to the event, but a somber one....for me anyways. A good way to release though! Don't know what more to say about it, other than just be there!

Token · Post by **Token** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 6:46 am

It is like describing colors to a blind person.

Its like painting the sound of a violin to a deaf person.

Make sure you got someone huggable and snuggable with you and allow yourself to melt in the moment.

Fire_Moose · Post by **Fire_Moose** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 6:53 am

it's kinda overrated...

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 7:06 am

you can usually count on a few "revelers".........and, at least someone with a bull-horn............

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 8:13 am

Sunday night has always, always been my favourite night, and at Burning Man it was no exception.

VeganChoirGirl · Post by **VeganChoirGirl** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 12:14 pm

For me, it was beyond powerful. The most amazing thing was the quiet. All those people who spent so many hours doing nothing but yell, and party, and revel...silent. Then as the temple fell, hearing the names of burners who have left us popping up quietly all arround me, (tearing up just typing this) totally made me break. This year I am bringing the ashes of my friend who died right after the burn last year, this was supposed to be his first burn because he just graduated college at 25. I can only imagine how strong this year will be for me. The temple burn offers a sense of finality for many things, not just the burn but for the things in our lives that have ended, the people we have lost. But it also offers a rebirth, it's clensing and freeing.

And Token is right...have someone to snuggle. It's important.

Magpie · Post by **Magpie** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 7:43 pm

The silence was powerful for me, too. It was a very peaceful and beautiful way to let go of something I'd been holding onto for years, while sitting next to my best friend.

And it was fire! Warm, mesmerizing fire, and the bones of the temple burning was beautiful.

Homiesinheaven · Post by **Homiesinheaven** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 4:08 pm

i've always wanted to do it. around what time does the temple burn? i'm trying to figure out if i can leave right after for Reno but i dont want to be on that road past midnight with other sleepy boneheads.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 4:18 pm

Homiesinheaven wrote:i've always wanted to do it. around what time does the temple burn? i'm trying to figure out if i can leave right after for Reno but i dont want to be on that road past midnight with other sleepy boneheads.

I think about the same time the man burns, the night before. I seem to remember going out to the temple around sunset.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 6:40 pm

It's burningman. The temple burns on playa time. After dark is the best guess.

geekster · Post by **geekster** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 6:58 pm

The temple burn is different things to different people. NOTHING brings out the control freaks like the temple burn. It is a funeral to many people and maybe you should keep that in mind, but holy mother of pancakes, there are people there that are gonna bitch at you if you so much as fart too loud.

I think the last temple burn that I really enjoyed was 2004.

In my opinion the theme for the temple burn should be something like Stairway to Cleveland.

Homiesinheaven · Post by **Homiesinheaven** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 8:30 pm

just looked at some flickr pictures and it looks like it burns around 9-9:30 PM in case anyone else is planning to leave afters.

maryanimal · Post by **maryanimal** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 8:57 pm

This will be the first time I'll be attending a Burning Man. I've heard about it for years. I will be going with a person who I love and he'll show me everything I need to see. I've done a lot of reading up about how to prepare for BM. I know the harshness of the playa and the wind/dust storms. And I can't wait for the temple burn. It will be, for me, a way of letting go of the past, and saying goodbye to my loved ones who've gone before me. I want to free my soul and spirit of painful memories and revel in the fact that I can go into the future freely with nothing to hold me back. That I can give of myself ompletely to my new love. I want the whole BM eperience. Thank you for this opportunity to express myself.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 3:35 am

maryanimal wrote: I will be going with a person who I love and he'll show me everything I need to see.

Wrong.
Well maybe.

Only you can tell what is important to you out there.
Others can help you find the best of what you want, but you may want a completely different experience, other than a few big things that attract most people.
Two can enter at the same time, go their way and have almost totally different burns.

That's pretty much the point.

Just don't try to stand respectfully during the temple burn.
Some asshole will insist you lounge about in the dust.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 10:24 am

gyre wrote:
maryanimal wrote: I will be going with a person who I love and he'll show me everything I need to see.
Wrong.
Well maybe.

Only you can tell what is important to you out there.
Others can help you find the best of what you want, but you may want a completely different experience, other than a few big things that attract most people.
Two can enter at the same time, go their way and have almost totally different burns.

That's pretty much the point.

Just don't try to stand respectfully during the temple burn.
Some asshole will insist you lounge about in the dust.

Her partners an experienced burner, and understands what your saying. Shell learn everything in the first 24 hours.

shroom · Post by **shroom** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 2:45 pm

This is my first year and i have to leave after the man burns so i can get back to college. if anyone posts a temple burn video please let me know.

Bounce530 · Post by **Bounce530** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 2:52 pm

I think Current.com streams it live.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 3:58 pm

shroom wrote:This is my first year and i have to leave after the man burns so i can get back to college. if anyone posts a temple burn video please let me know.

Regardless, put something in the temple. I emotionally divorced my ex in the temple....several years before we figured out how to get divorced.

shroom · Post by **shroom** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 4:31 pm

TomServo wrote:
shroom wrote:This is my first year and i have to leave after the man burns so i can get back to college. if anyone posts a temple burn video please let me know.
Regardless, put something in the temple. I emotionally divorced my ex in the temple....several years before we figured out how to get divorced.

I plan on it!

Bounce530 wrote:I think Current.com streams it live.

I've seen it before on current, I hope they do again. I hate that I'm missing the temple burn, but it's my first year back in school and I don't want to miss more days than I have too.

peacefulhuman · Post by **peacefulhuman** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 4:40 pm

VeganChoirGirl wrote:
And Token is right...have someone to snuggle. It's important.

Um... what if I don't HAVE someone to snuggle? {first timer, going alone} I'm fairly sure taking hostages is frowned upon... What's a guy to do?

TomServo wrote: Regardless, put something in the temple. I emotionally divorced my ex in the temple....several years before we figured out how to get divorced.

"Emotionally divorced" - I'm intrigued by this. I am contemplating putting my wedding ring in there. The temple burn marks the anniversary of the end of my marriage, and I am feeling drawn to it in a way that I can explain but probably don't need to. There's a lot to let go of - the temple burn seems to be an opportunity put in my path for just that reason.

/hoping I find that snuggle partner in time...

Fire_Moose · Post by **Fire_Moose** » Fri Jul 30, 2010 7:56 am

Don't look for a snugggle partner.

You need to act like you don't even want one. Or yer girlfriend couldnt make it. Chicks love that.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri Jul 30, 2010 9:13 am

Oh crap. I don't have a snuggle partner. Snuggling with me is complicated, potentially uncomfortable. I don't go to the big burns.

As all the vegans will attest, one man's meat is another man's poison.

Fire_Moose · Post by **Fire_Moose** » Fri Jul 30, 2010 10:03 am

Complicated? Can't he just use yer chair?