The Burning Alchemist

I just read an article about this year's Burning Man event that describes the event as it exists in my eyes so well, that I'll just point you to the link and let you read it for yourself.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-michaelson/the-truth-about-burning-m_b_279464.html

[rant warning]

I have a few minor issues with some of the negative comments posted to the article, but that mostly boils down to those who are judging and dismissing the experience as so much new-age bulls**t without ever having experienced the event for themselves. 

The experience of Burning Man is so large and varied that it's effectively impossible to describe what it will mean to someone when they have not experienced it.  It's sort of like trying to describe the feeling of skydiving to someone who has never done it, the description will fall so far short of the reality that it's almost not worth trying to explain.  Plus, it'll also come down to fact that for many people that experience is just not something that they need in their lives. 

Now in my opinion, Burning Man is something that most people should try at least once in their lives.  If it works out for you, great, you're a "burner" and you'll be back year after year.  If not, then no problem, it's just not for you, but at least you now have the shared experiential basis on which to successfully base an informed personal opinion and be able to articulate that opnion to others who will now (usually) respect that opinion because you've "been there".

[end of rant]