Burningman was the single most amazing human experience I have ever had the pleasure to partake in. I got to see real magic and human intention control the elements (how about that storm clearing for the man to burn and the smoke tornados carrying our intentions, dreams and hopes to the heavens during the temple burn huh?). I dont believe those things to be coincidence. I thought I was alone watching the synchronicities unfold in my life and that nothing else could prove that existed. I have spent many years questioning myself if that kind of magic really exists or if it was all in my head. I never thought I would get to see something like that - something that makes me believe past my own skeptical viewpoint on the world.
Burningman was also one of the single most challenging test of my endurance and stamina I have ever faced. i am a very healthy individual with alot of background in wilderness survival. That environment tested that and in turn I tested myself there. My cross playa treks were intense and my self confidence was bolstered by my intensity to trek on foot back and forth and see as much as could and be a part of every good vibe group I could come across. i lost 15 lbs during the trip. i got to dance and express myself in all the ways i wanted while facing some of the harshest elemental bashing this great earth has to dish out. i survived.
i went with the intention of trying to find my vision of the american dream - love and cooperation in the face of danger and uncertainty - just like our forefathers had to contend with when they came to this land. (scroll down these posts and you will see I stated my intentions before i left). While I saw many group dynamics break down and fail, more prevailent were the scenes of community interaction to the positive and people helping each other out in times of crisis and our asses being kicked by the dust. I felt awesome that I got to take part in the art project that became the ring of lights around the man - it felt good that my efforts to make that happen became the safety zone for us all to sit and watch the burn with no one being hurt - thanks to the crew that busted thier ass along side me to make that a reality. I also got to fall in love with someone and share those experiences with someone in my arms that trusted me. she even went so far as to help me out after burningman with some transitions in my life I was facing and I got to experience san francisco for a short time while I pieced my life back together. I will always love you Terri and will always be there for you. The community also extended itself to me after the event. I had lost my wallet with all my forms of ID in it and i just got a call the other day that it was found and it is on its way back to me.
Thank you to all. The things I experienced there have made me a more confident human and have revived some hope in mankind I had lost along the way in this harsh world.