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Live these 10 Burning Man Principles Every Day.

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I have to admit, when I first went to Burning Man a few years ago, I didn’t know exactly what I was signing up for.

I loved the idea of of being part of a live gift economy and a real community gathering in the desert, but honestly I thought I was just going to a massive party. Of course, Burning Man probably is the biggest and brightest party on earth but it is so much more.

Over 50,000 shiny humans, and hundreds of sound-systems. But this is a small element, the playa is a place where you can experience real depth and growth. My first experience at Burning Man turned my world upside down, and for that I am forever grateful.

 

 

Everyone that comes brings everything they need and plenty of offerings in the form of art cars, workshops, food, drinks, little gifts.

All the wonderful and creative things that you see, were thought up by members of the community, funded privately or through art grants and then brought to the desert for the simple purpose of shared enjoyment. Every single person you meet is like a long-lost friend.

Such warmth, such honesty, such grace. There is no Wi-Fi. At Burning Man, you are deep in the moment.

Being in the moment makes Burning Man a playground for synchronicity. They say that the playa gives you everything you need. Every single person’s experience is completely different — the theme camps you stumble across, the things you see, the people you meet.

For me, Burning Man is space to let things go, face my fears, understand myself more deeply and connect with heart-opened souls.

It was at Burning Man that I finally learnt to ride a bike, forgave myself for a dear friend’s death, let go of a relationship that had lasted over a decade, and met many of the people that I consider my closest friends.

Of course, this is laced with intense moments of joy, laughter and simple humility at the power and magic of human beings.

 

{The Temple of Juno, Burning Man 2012. Photograph by James Addison}

 

One of the things that I have taken away from Burning Man, is that you don’t have to be in the desert to make this way of living a reality. The power of Burning Man comes from everybody living by shared values, the Ten Principles.

The Burning Man Project is doing some really cool global projects all year round based on this ideology. The principles are simple, and I have experienced each one on my travels around the world and in daily life. Those moments are precious and always touch my heart. But why are they limited?

By living the Burning Man principles, we can turn your lives into an everyday playground of synchronicity.

The Ten Principles of Burning Man and how to live them every day:

1. Radical Inclusion: Welcome and respect the stranger, and the acquaintance. Treat everyone like they are a good friend, welcome them. Smile and say Hello to people as you walk down the street.

2. Gifting: Practice acts of wild gifting. The value of a gift is unconditional. Give your ideas, time, energy and inspiration freely. Don’t be attached to what might come back to you.

3. Decommodification: Step outside our fake world of brands, corporations and consumerism. Question what you buy, what you support, what you sign up to. Use your role as a citizen to build a brighter future that honors our environment and our humanity.

4. Radical Self-reliance: Make yourself a strong, happy useful citizen. Work on your shit, meditate, do what you need to do to discover, exercise and rely on your inner resources.

5. Radical Self-expression: Get to know yourself. Discover your unique individual gifts and then share them with us so we can be inspired by your beauty.

6. Communal Effort: No man is an island. Hold your community in your heart with every decision you make. Collaborate. Cooperate. Share.

7. Civic Responsibility: Take responsibility for your actions and how they shape our global community. Be an activist. Make your life your message.

8. Leaving No Trace: Respect your environment. Clean up after yourself, and if you notice other people’s litter, clear that up too.

9. Participation: Transformative change happens through deeply personal participation. Don’t be a bystander, take part. If you have something to offer, offer it. If you want to try something, try it. Live your life with an open heart.

10. Immediacy: Do it now. Life is not about tomorrow or next month or next year or when I retire. Life is only this very moment, the only one we can be sure of. Be here now.

Experiment with these principles and see what happens. As I reflect on my own experiences of living this way, I get that brilliant song I have been singing since my childhood in my head; from Bugsy Malone, “You give a little love and it all comes back to you.“

 

 

*****

#BeHereNow

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Amisha Ghadiali

Amisha Ghadiali

Amisha Ghadiali is a sustainable living specialist, Yoga teacher and founder of radical think tank, ThinkActVote (?!X). She also created the book The Future We Choose, bringing together ideas and artwork from global contributors to inspire a brighter future. Her writing has appeared in publications including The Huffington Post. As former Associate Director of the Ethical Fashion Forum, she continues to be a strong proponent of the sustainable fashion movement, curating and hosting a series of events called Future Fashion, and is a board member and spokesperson for Fashion Revolution Day. You could contact Amisha via her website.
Amisha Ghadiali

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