Hippies and Burners

Today I confess:

• I have, apparently, been living under a rock (pun intended). Every so often, I have come across the words, “Burning Man”.  Until today, I had no idea what it was.
• At first glance, my research reminded me of the Hippie movement in the late 1960s. I was certainly very aware of them. I was tempted to call myself an overripe Hippie as I remembered those days, but since most things called ‘overripe’ have already or will soon be spoiled, I’d like to take this self-inflicted adjective back. I’m not rancid yet, and I never was a hippie.
• Some core values are common between Hippies and ‘Burners’. But there are differences – especially in structure. Burners are very organized and adhere to "10 Principles" while Hippies have an informal, relaxed existence. As part of my confession, I admit that I would fail to perform well with one of those Burner Principles. They call it “Radial Self-reliance”

Burning Man is now a global event. In the United States, Black Rock City is temporarily created in the Black Rock Desert about 120 miles Northeast of Reno Nevada. Growing from 20 people in 1986 to a current population of approximately 70,000 people, they construct a pop-up city for the event's duration (about 9 days) and then make it all disappear, "leaving no trace” (another principle).

You can use the links to discover more about the Burning Man movement, but I just wanted to look at those 10 Principles for a couple of minutes.

• Radical Inclusion: No roadblocks. No judgments. All inclusive. Buy a ticket and you’re in - and welcome.
• Gifting: The value of any gift is unconditional. There is no expectation of reciprocity. A gift is just that - free of any strings, whatsoever.
• Decommodification: Commercial sponsorships, advertising, and transactional arrangements are prohibited. They are considered to be exploitative and also violate the community's spirit of giving.
• Radical Self-reliance: Individuals are encouraged to discover and to rely on inner resources.
• Radical Self-expression: Everyone has a gift that can be shared with others. Sharing this gift is generous when respecting the rights and liberties of recipients.
• Communal Effort: Burning Man values creative cooperation and collaboration. “We strive to produce, promote, and protect social networks, public spaces, works of art, and methods of communication that support such interaction.”
• Civic Responsibility: “We value civil society. Community members who organize events should assume responsibility for public welfare and endeavor to communicate civic responsibilities to participants. They must also assume responsibility for conducting events in accordance with local, state and federal laws.”
• Leaving No Trace:  Recognized as an environmental term, it stretches to include Burning Man events. In fact, it goes a little further encouraging participants to leave things ‘better’ than when arriving.
• Participation: Transformative change results only within a framework of deep personal participation. This is true individually and corporately. Everyone is invited to work and play together with actions that open hearts.
• Immediacy: “Immediate experience is, in many ways, the most important touchstone of value in our (Burning Man) culture. We seek to overcome barriers that stand between us and a recognition of our inner selves, the reality of those around us, participation in society, and contact with a natural world exceeding human powers. No idea can substitute for this experience.”

Reading these 10 Principles slowly, I find it difficult to find fault in any of them. 

And then, those Hippies. Well, yes. They are informal and relaxed, but they do have a code of sorts: Peace, love, artistic expression, and anti-commercialism, are front and center while living outside traditional societal norms.

I’ve already admitted that I am not a Hippie. This year’s tickets for Burning Man were $575 each. It’s unlikely that I’ll ever be considered a Burner either. But I would like to adopt the viewpoints and ethics that both groups offer to us individually and as a society.

I find it so very unfortunate that these cities must be temporary.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

 

Burning Man

Burning Man Artwork - Take Your Breath Away Awesome

Burning Man Black Rock City 2026

Waloyo Yamoni

The other day I heard one of my favorite musical scores: Canon in D. It broke through the fog I’ve been carrying — that quiet withdrawal, that dimness that settles in when life feels heavier than it should. Years ago, this was my wake up song. I’d open my eyes to those first soft notes, and the day always seemed to begin with a little more hope. Hearing it again reminded me of that version of myself, the one who started mornings with light instead of dark.

Music affects me. It probably affects you as well. Each instrument stimulates my heart, soul, and mind. 

For a moment, I was quiet and a small cartoonish orchestra began to play in my head – no people, just animated instruments dancing around each other as bows slid over strings, flashes of bright gold as trumpets pointed skyward while being complimented by the snares and cymbals clashing with enthusiasm. 

My internal illustrations began to grow. Hand drawings appeared magically as the tip of a pencil created one person and then another. The sketch was no longer adequate because one more instrument had been added: The Human Voice. Suddenly, animation required sound.  I guess this is where I woke up to reality.

Back on the hard earth of physicality, exploration provided an extraordinary example of orchestra and voice. It’s a long piece and I hope you have a moment to watch sometime this week.

“Waloyo Yamoni”

With every instrument and every voice contributing, I witnessed the prayer that had found voice.  

“We overcome this wind. (We overcome.) 

We desire the rain to fall, that it be poured in showers quickly.

Ah! Thou rain, I adjure thee fall. If thou rainest, it is well.

If our women rejoice (it is well) 

If the children rejoice (it is well) 

If the young men sing (it is well) 

If the aged rejoice (it is well)”

In the language of the Langi people of North-Central Uganda, a rainmaking prayer spoken is now sung. It reaches the heavens seeking rain, life, and abundance during times of hardship.

Life in the West is a bit different than in Uganda. Living in Iowa, I am exposed to those who watch weather forecasts religiously. Praying for rain is not out of the question. But maybe, for today, I might also ask, “Would you use the word hardship to describe your life today?”

I’ll admit to the distress. I’ll also accept this prayer in a way that seeks rain, life, and abundance for all. I pray for rain with,

• A shower of tolerance.
• A pouring of acceptance.
• A drizzle of respect.
• A sprinkling of kindness.
• A deluge of unity.
• An inundating of love --- then all is well.

I pray for light-filled hope - 

• to push against the headwinds of a culture that rewards few and punishes many.
• to lean into this squall with a low center of gravity, feet planted firmly, and to defy this screeching derecho that blows against peace, unity and love.
• to know that one day, everyone to be able to say, “Then all is well.”

We overcome this wind!

Obanga ber: ("all is well", or "it is well". Literally: "God is good"). 

Links for the concert and the translations are below. 

Listen - Hope will engulf you and you will be enveloped in a light of promise! "Ber"

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10

 

Christopher Tin: Live at Cadogan Hall - Waloyo Yamoni 

Translation