Burning Man and associated Regional Events base themselves on some fundamental guidelines, or the 10 Principles. In this series over the next 10 weeks we will focus on each Principle in detail.
This week features Principle 5: Radical Self-Expression
This Principle embodies the idea that no one can make a Burn what it is except you. This connects the ideas of Radical Self-Reliance with Gifting in that only the individual can decide how to “do the Burn” to their individualistic liking. Maybe you don’t like wearing clothes is the environment you’re in allows you not to? Maybe you can teach others a skill, share a trick or indulge in a hobby or talent? Whatever it is, only the individual can decide on the content and self expression is how you relate yourself to others and is part of the transitional quality everyone brings to a Burn. However, it is also important to bear in mind the recipient of your form of expression so this is not a way to let go of all social convention if it’s for the sake of alienating or disrespecting others.
