Renegade Burn 2021
Reflecting on the renegade Burning Man in 2021. The year burning man was officially canceled. The year that showcased the power of love - When we love something, we make it happen.
Some 15,000 people had gathered in the middle of nowhere overcoming all challenges (i.e., no infrastructure, the delta, wildfires). We were all completely self organized and leaned into the uncertainty with care, love, and kindness. This made the renegade burn the most epic burn I’ve ever had.
What made this burn so epic?
LONER + SPONTANEITY + CARE
In the previous five burns, I had always been a part of a camp. I also had my boyfriend with me. And don’t get me wrong, I love my camp! When I was with others, however, I unintentionally turned into this person pleasing and taking care of others. I was unaware of these patterns back then. It was exhausting. Also by the fifth burn, I operated out of my Google calendar on the playa. Yes read that again because it is ridiculous and ludicrous: I had a schedule to follow on the playa. My camp work shifts, visiting friends, DJ line ups, interesting lectures… I thought being organized in this way allowed me to not to miss out on anything, although doing so robbed away the magic of the playa.
This year, there was none of those. I focused on pleasing myself, flowing with my curiosity, and listening to my heart’s desire. Not knowing where everyone relieved the pressure to find them. Not knowing where my friends were pushed me to be open to meet strangers. Not having the schedule led me to be present in whatever I was doing for how long it was taking. It was powerful, refreshing, and magical.
Here are some particularly synchronic moments:
First is meeting Mattan on Saturday sunrise. Mattan is a talented sound healing facilitator whom I had met in Panama last year. It turned out he was with the same Israeli group that I had just met on the sunrise a day ago. I admired that entire group and was hoping to meet them again. And the playa made it happen, this time with a flavor of Venao sprinkled on top. They made the time with Diplo even more special. (Yes, what’s up with me and Israelis!)
Second is meeting the Chairman of the Bored. I absolutely loved his energy. He had this embodied presence that was radiating love. Yes his actions were generous — setting up his art car to provide share at Robot Heart, giving out water, and mooping. But it was his presence that really draw me to him. When I grow up, I want to be like him.
Lastly, I also want to talk about that guy who got very aggressive at one of the sunrises at Robot Heart and got down by BLM. I did not interact with him but seeing how he reacted made me think about how our energy is all connected. Whatever the situation he was in, he was spreading his suffering to others. Whatever energy we have, others can feel that energy. It is infectious. Life is like a river. It flows. No need to cling. As I flow in my river of life, I ride it with joy, love, and harmony. So I spread the sprinkles of joy, love, and harmony to those around me.
Started as a loner, the playa relaxed me into the effortless sense of belonging. Belonging to myself, to the playa, and to those “strangers.”