Wow, I hadn't come here since returning from BM.

I wrote an article in my Journal people. "I Found Allah at BurningMan". I now have a definition for this event:

"BurningMan is for each person whatever they go there seeking."

For me it was a mystical experience, as described in the above mentioned article.

Hey you two!! BM is not just about wanna-be nekked pardy-animal all-aged shexy-romping debaucherers!! I mean, there are those of us who want to gather in the most exclusive artistic gathering on the planet and influence what little we can with our own ART (be it Adhaan, or Salaah, or ecstatic dance, or service and help.) I feel Islam needs to be represented in this gathering. And by Allah I intend to do so..

ask that fares al forsan guy- he can't sneeze without accidentally starting a village.

Fine, I guess I'll just have to do it myself.. What a reason to become a member..

Well? Does any premium member have a moment to spare to start a BurningMan village? Make it open, not requiring any management.. (plzz..) so that it doesn't take any cycles away from your time..

But still I will hold on to my request: Would someone please start a BurningMan village on Naseeb? Someone who is blessed to be a premium member? (Sadly superman is not, having long since given up the pretence of being a part of this economic system..)

Kudos to you that you read the speech. I didn't say this, but for its effect to be felt, the 1997 speech should also be read, from the "What is Burningman" page. Its all on burningman.com. I feel that since the cream of the crop from the world is coming to this place, in massively growing numbers, each year, then we - as enlightened muslims - must set the paganistic aspects of this Solstice-Celebration aside and go and be heard as well as be counted. I have been blessed to have been included in an amazing gathering called the Winking Lotus. Its where my url winkinglotus.com/az comes from. This camp serves tea to whoever appears, and thus serves. This is a service based, or as the founder calls it: a "gift-centered economy." Make and they will come. Give and yea shall receive. Put thy trust in the Lord and give away without measure, and ye shall receive duly. ALL THIS WORKS, and the proof is there. I am intending to go for the first time this year. And I have to let you all know: I wear a turban now. I STAND OUT like a muslim more than anyone else anyone (including myself) knows. If I cannot go to a place where there the occassional bystander _is_ exposing their birthday suit, and yet keep my eyes, hands, tongue, and other extremeties to myself, than I am just deluding myself in thinking that I am a muslim. Society as we know it may cease to exist before 2013 is over. (So say at least two vastly credible sources I am in the know of. ) Whether it does or not, BM merely represents the "internetization of the planet", a process sure to accelerate if anything.

Imagine the 'starer' 30 years hence.. ;-)

I read all of the speech but am going to have to go back and read more about Burning Man the concept. Seems a little hippy-trippy on first read, a sort of fakir type situation where we give all up and the Lord will provide... but maybe I am too wedded to this world at the moment. So will report back - and by the way, that is some excellent X-ray stare you have there :)

Any wonder the saying "Man Arafa Nafsuhoo, Arafa Rabbuhoo" means more than what the translation says: "One who comprehends the SELF, comprehends ALL" (or the Rabb, Allah, Which _is_ ALL.)

If not for you then please do it for those of us who want to bring out the harsh truth.. that the test is not the world!! The test is ourselves..