A year ago almost to the day I went to Burning Man. www.burningman.com 

It’s a radical self reliance and radical self expression festival in the desert of Nevada.  If you are interested you can look at my images at my Flickr Site 

The festival started about 15 years ago and has grown every year.  Last year 47,000 people turned up.  There are a few interesting things about the event.  You have to be self sufficient, in other words you have to bring the food and water you need to keep yourself alive.  There is no commerce, there is nothing for sale and everything there is gifted.  People are extraordinarily generous and giving.  You are encouraged to participate and you can do anything you like as long as you don’t harm yourself or anyone else.

So it’s an experiment in community.  For seven days people wander around in costume or naked, they eat, drink, dance, have sex and take drugs if they want.  There is music, discussion, AA meetings etc.  I saw no aggravation, no violence or aggression, and everyone had a great time doing what they wanted withour worrying themselves about the people around them.

It’s a powerful lesson in what is possible when people get together with a common goal and good in their hearts.  They have one in New Zealand and one in South Africa.  I’d encourage anyone to go providing you go with an open heart.