How it began

Longterm vision.

Can you play with our group?

Service and Commitment

This theme camp began as a journey of the Toltec Magician.

"I went to Burning Man 2001 with a couple of friends in an RV. None of us had been before. The other two were mostly interested in the party scene, but I grew tired of it and I began to branch out on my own.

"After a couple days, I realized that this environment was very different than a party scene such as Mardi Gras. There was a sense of real community somehow, and people were much nicer and more loving than you would find under normal circumstances. I began to realize that my personal dream was instantly being reflected back to me. Because I was open, curious, and playful, I was coming into contact with other people who were too. There were so many people who knew each other from previous years, and they were the most interesting and creative examples of the Burning Man scene. I realized that there was really something special going on.

"Then, I had the opportunity to help someone who was having a bad experience--someone I had befriended the day before. I realized that my shamanic tools were extremely helpful in an environment with a lot of chaotic energy.

"I had previously been thinking of returning with people from my Toltec community in Berkeley, and this latest event confirmed it: There is so much amazing positive and creative activity happening at this festival, and that aspect of the event needs to be supported in the face of the "tourist" element--those who come to simply be voyeurs and partiers. There is nothing wrong with that approach, but I knew I was called to be a channel for the magic that is so abundant at Burning Man."

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This camp started in 2002 with a temple space and a few people coming together to share the joy that they had found through their spiritual community at the Burning Man festival. All of us began to open our eyes about what was possible after that. Our intent is to use the Sacred Playground theme camp as a Power Journey where people learn about themselves, grow, and have the opportunity to connect to the divine spark that is within all of us. We are practicing Sacred Play, because Sacred doesn't mean "serious."

As a camp, we are also there to be in service, because we trust the Burning Man philosophy of a gift economy: everything you give, you receive in abundance. In fact, just the act of being in service by sharing your creativity, your tools, your wisdom, and your light, actually is a gift that you only appreciate fully through the experience of giving it. The Toltec community in Berkeley and across the country and the world has its own flavor of gifts to share, and part of that is the recognition that we are all divine beings who have forgotten to honor our divine choices and actions. Our vision is to share that message on a larger scale each year, in whatever forms Spirit offers us. For 2003, we are part of the Infinite Oasis village which mirrors our intent of service to the Black Rock City community. Who knows what will come next . . .

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The camp is mostly made up of people from the spiritweavers Toltec community. Most of us are from the Bay Area. We are excited to welcome in others. Our camp is exploring the Burning Man festival as a spiritual "power journey." This means that we are joining together as a little community and invoking the divine aspects of ourselves to learn and grow. Part of the process involves offering ourselves in service to the good of the camp, our village, and the community of Black Rock City. Playing is an integral part of our mission and the expression of sacredness and service.

Sacred playground is dedicated to Awakening and experiencing the joy inherent in loving ourselves and the present moment, not to mention expressing that joy in creative ways. In addition, our camp is focused on raising energy using our connection to the land, the four elements, and to Spirit, and fostering a relaxed, grounded space.

Members agree as a matter of personal responsibility not to abuse alcohol or use drugs in the camp space. This is a practical concern rather than a moral one. We are gathered together to practice being awake and connecting to unconditional Source. If using drugs is an important aspect of Burning Man for you, this is not the camp for you to join.

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There are a number of benefits of joining the camp, such as bonding with others on a spiritual journey through Burning Man, being part of the Infinite Oasis Village, and being in a supportive environment which encourages you to express yourself as a divine being.

There are several ways that members of the camp are asked to be in service as part of the tradeoff for being part of the power journey.

1. Members pay a camp cost of $50
This includes village and camp costs.
This does not include your ticket to Burning Man or food and water. You will also need to provide your shelter for sleeping such as a personal tent.

2. Members commit to assisting either with camp setup or takedown. Camp setup requires that you arrive at the camp on Saturday, August 23rd. Takedown requires that you leave after we are done on Monday, September 1. Therefore, if you are coming for just a few days, you will want to stay through Monday afternoon.

If the coordinators of the camp or the two leaders of the village ask for your support, please help as best you can. If you take responsibility for some aspect of the camp or village (such as cooking a meal or setting up part of the camp, or picking up "moop" a particular day) feel free to seek help in making it happen. Support others and do your best to be actively in service to the community of the camp and the village.

3. This year we are encouraging each person in the camp to present some kind of spiritual or creative activity in the shaded dome structure. Each member of the camp will have an opportunity and will be supported in expressing and sharing her or his gifts in the expressive space, from leading chanting, to drum circles, to performance art, to spoken word. Whatever form your passion takes, we want you to share it with us and our neighbors and visitors in the village.

4. Before you prepare to go out to the playa read the "Leave No Trace" cleanup plans for the camp and for the village, and make an agreement with yourself and the camp to follow them (including "Matter Out of Place" duty before you leave).

5. Read the Burning Man Survival Guide before you prepare to leave for the playa.

6. Cooperation and community in the sometimes chaotic and firey atmostphere of Burning Man is bound to get people riled up, from time to time. Accept this as part of the process and do your best to forgive and move through any disagreements and squabbles. Remember that we are your friends and community for this journey (even if we look like annoying, frustrating bastards in the heat of the moment).

7. The camp supports loving, empowered, and clear communication, and it will not support "victim" mentality. We ask that each person in the camp do their best to communicate with responsibility for themselves and honesty to others. Here are some examples:

If you have a request, make it (You don't have to feel guilty, justify yourself, or otherwise feel isolated from people in the camp). Don't let yourself get too worked up by taking other people's behavior personally.

Say "yes" when you mean yes and "no" when you mean no. Don't be afraid to turn down anyone who asks you to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable (inside or outside the camp).

Remember you are in community, and don't cop an attitude because someone asked you for help.

Try to avoid passive agressiveness. If you agree to something that you later regret, take responsibility for your emotional reactions, and remember you are in choice at every moment. If you resent your own past helfulness, it is your issue.

You don't owe anyone excuses about or blame for your emotional reactions.

Consider if your words and actions are conveying respect to your campmates. Talk strait with your campmates. If they don't want your opinion, then don't push it on them.

Do your best to honor your partnership in community whenever you relate to others in the camp and the village.

Be willing to be honest to yourself and others. If you feel others aren't being honest, call them on it. If they don't agree, don't try to make them see it your way. Seek help from each other to resolve differences within the camp.

Give yourself space from others or the group when you need it, letting others know you are doing so. Ask for help in releasing your frustration or other emotions, so that it doesn't end up in drama for the whole camp. A few of us in the group are really good at helping people with this, and we will be of service throughout the week.

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