Burning Man beyond Art, Music, and the mighty Dust

So what is Burning Man? Uffff….this may be one of the most difficult questions to answer.  No matter how many photos you show, how many stories you tell, there is no way of creating an adequate picture in the other person’s even the most creative head. To begin with, how do you explain to someone that a bunch of people (well…68,000 to be exact) go out into a desert each year to build a city, which lasts only a week. They build streets, beautiful art, move around in art cars, create theaters, schools, bars, clubs, even a post office; they all participate. There is no cellphone network, there are sand storms, and they probably don’t shower for at least a few days in a row; it’s radical self-reliance.  So why would they do that?

Throughout this week, they dress up in crazy outfits; radical self-expression. They experience the giving and kindness they rarely even see in the real world. There is no money; it is a gifting community. There is no social class, thus fully promoting radical inclusion, and not much connection to the real world really. More importantly, there is no concept of time; day or night it’s all wide awake. And then they burn it all down after a week without leaving any trace.

The reason we can't really explain what Burning Man is, may be because it is different for everyone. Among all the art, music and dust that we all share we meet people, and this is unique to where, when, and with whom you may be in a given moment. The collective energy is so strong that the law of attraction breaks out beyond its natural boundaries. What you think is what you get, and I mean it. Wanna fall in love? You shall find your Playa love, which many times goes beyond the Playa into the real world turning into weddings and crying babies (I know quite a few such examples). You want a frozen margarita? There is someone around the corner, who will certainly give you one. The mind blowing, interactive art pieces and art cars are a big part and a good excuse for this surreal city's existence in the middle of the Black Rock Desert; however, Burning Man is your opportunity to explore yourself, be who you are, or experiment being who you think you are, and then learn your lessons and bring your new self back into the real world. It's a liberating experience really.

So pack your craziness, open your mind, and go meet yourself!