Comments on: DIY Spirituality

By: John.

John. — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 13:52:44 +0000

Hi,

Enjoyed your site I for many years have really felt like I have been on a journey of self discovery of my own personal spirituality. This has taken me through many different but all amazing spheres in my quest to learn more, NLP, Hypnosis, Remote Viewing, Remote Influencing, Reiki, Chakras etc etc.

I like your term DIY spirituality cos now more than ever I realise we have everything we need to survive grow and spread love not hate and its all within ourselves we dont need anything else. and for me its not about chrystal balls either its about slowing things down and allowing yourself to TRULY connect with your own deep self.

JOhn.

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By: Miles, spirituality writer

Miles, spirituality writer — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:28:48 +0000

DIY Spirituality might be the flip side of the Convergence coin. In other words, what is happening in pop culture (the convergence of old and new media, etc…) may also be happening in the religious realm. The new is colliding with the old in religious sectors, causing changes to happen. Some are reactionary, extreme regressions into hard-line conservative expressions of faith, while others are beautiful and experimental. It seems our culture is reshaping religion.

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By: Roxanne

Roxanne — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:13:22 +0000

Really pleased to find this blog – I’m researching the influence of Burning Man on UK festival culture. Keep up the good work!

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By: Miki

Miki — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 19:13:06 +0000

This years burn really hit home for me. I cannot even EXPRESS how pivotal it was for me to go this year. Last year was my first year and you can bet that I was prancing along the playa like a prisoner finally escaping and seeing the sky for the first time in years.

This year was a bit more spiritually deep for me.

I explored the art, went out on my own, met some great people who helped make this whole experience possible and I found myself. It was a raw and awakening experience this year than it was my first.

There were a lot of things I wanted to let go of this year at the temple. One was the emotional baggage of losing my mom, my best friend, 5 years ago. It still feels like yesterday and yes I blamed myself for losing her but not after the burn. I let it go. I told her that I loved her at the temple and not to worry and then I walked away. I watched it burn. It was so invigorating.

For about six months, my brother had been taking care of my grandmother, who had raised him growing up. She was deathly ill and a month before BM she finally passed by his side. He didn’t think he would be able to make BM this year because he wanted to take care of her. He was a little bit in a funk the first couple days but finally spread his wings when he decided to mentally let her go.

The biggest part that Burning Man played was when I got back. The very next day, I wake up for the first time in my own bed and hear that my grandfather shot himself. My mom was my grandfathers shining light, my grandmother was always his rock, and they had both passed. I was shocked, in tears, at first. We arranged the funeral at the Oregon coast, where we used to play as kids. It felt good. We were all laughing and jumping in the water. The spirit I gathered from Burning Man made me stronger to bear all these hard times. Since the experience was so fresh in my memory I was able to see the brighter side of things.

I feel like if all these events had taken place without BM I wouldn’t have been so strong. I wouldn’t have any fond memories to cloud the bad ones. I would still have baggage.

The spirit lives through you, I say. You see the light in things you never thought you would before. Burning Man was my savior.

Thanks for reading.

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By: david

david — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:42:52 +0000

Whilw I have never been able to participate in Burning Man, I have for years felt its spirituality. Maybe next year.

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By: Serena

Serena — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:34:49 +0000

As a former conservative minister turned BRC citizen and spiritual atheist I love this whole topic. How can I get on your email list to let me know when the book is available? My email is on my website: serenadavidson.com
I am now a professional photographer specializing in capturing the essence of individuals. I find that I still use many of my ministerial skills in my new career and love how revealed people appear in front of my camera because of the spiritual connect. Whether they consider it a spiritual experience or not I often find my artwork to be part ritual and part spiritual connection to the people I am photographing. In the best of portraits it can be seen.

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By: lgilmore

lgilmore — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:26:39 +0000

Cathy– your queries are really beyond my scope, but do check out http://www.burningman.com/first_timers/ & links therein for a few answers to your questions & mucho good info all around. Also, re your scooter: http://www.burningman.com/on_the_playa/playa_vehicles/index.html

And JeffZ– It may be an interesting project to go around and discuss with different spiritual backgrounds their input on it
Indeed it was! (that was more or less my dissertation project)

Thanks all for the pithy comments! Next post is already simmering on a backburner.

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By: Cathy S. Kirby

Cathy S. Kirby — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:30:58 +0000

I am a disabiled Registered Nurse from ga. I have always wanted to go to the burning man. I know it will cost a mint just to get there. My question is: what should I do there? Maybe blood pressures, blood sugars and 1st Aid. I can walk some but I’ll need a scooter. I am also artistic and have always wanted to live a bohemian life style. Should I go more in that direction. Do you sell things or give them out for free?

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By: Summer Burkes

Summer Burkes — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:40:03 +0000

Bah, it’s just a week in the desert.

KIDDING!

Nice post, Lee. Can’t wait to see what else u got. xox

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By: Jeffz

Jeffz — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:19:50 +0000

This really is what attracted me to BRC initially since I have been into a convergence mentality for a while and had reached a point in my seeking where , after a few years break, was ready to move forward. Now it begs the question – are many people attracted to it that have that mindset already or is it ‘discovered’ through interactions in our fair city. Another thing is that , and this may be in my own crazy world, is that I wish for something to happen in my life before entering the gates to BRC, so it may be that my perceptual filters are influencing my experience. A devoted christian that goes there may have quite the different experience where it is faith affirming. It may be an interesting project to go around and discuss with different spiritual backgrounds their input on it.

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