Priest/Priestess Training Syllabus for the Temple of Ishtar at Burning Man 2000
Background of The Temple of Ishtar at Burning Man
In 1999, Temple of Ishtar at Burning Man was created from a vision by Glenn Meader. The Temple of Ishtar was an effort to counterbalance the predominantly "raunchy" portrayal of sexuality at of Burning Man in previous years. Three main goals were followed:
1. Education:
Educate the Burning Man community about Goddess worship and sacred sexuality.
2. Spirituality:
Create a sacred space for Priests and Priestesses and other theme camp participants to worship and celebrate sacred sexuality
3. Community:
Foster a community with common ideals at Burning Man and thereafter.
This year, The Temple Of Love continues that tradition. Our mission broadens to include the celebration of all dieties of love and compassion. So we take on a new name "Temple of Love". Our theme this year is:
Healing the heart through the body
Last year's temple was dedicated to Ishtar, because she is first Goddess for which we have written historical information. She is a very important symbol of feminine strength, sex-positivity and fertility. She is a most powerful Goddess and it was felt that calling upon her would be appropriate in establishing a strong presence and protect us while doing her work.
This year as we dedicate the temple to all Gods & Goddesses of Love we open to include the many paths, methods and divine sources in which love can be expressed. From Kuan Yin to Aphrodite, from Frey to Krishna each person can resonate with the God/ess of their choice. In keeping with the multi-faceted perfection of love's healing and transformative power, Priest/esses services provided at the Temple may include:
Ancient Temples
Ishtar was the main goddess worshipped by Mesopotamians and Sumerians dating back to about 5000BC. She was the goddess of love and sexuality in Babylonia. In the Bible, she is referred to as the Great Whore of Babylon.
Temples to Ishtar were inhabited by priestesses dedicated to the service of the Goddess. The original meaning of the word "prostitute" was "to stand in behalf of", that is to represent the power of the Goddess. Sexuality, as the vehicle by which life both physical and psychic was brought into the world, was considered a sacred act.
Worshippers of Ishtar took the roles of priest and priestess and had intercourse as incarnations of the "Divine". Priestesses would share sacred sexuality with any worshiper who wanted union with the "Goddess". The person, whom the priestess had not met before, spent the night with her in the temple. The worshipper would be put in contact with the rejuvenating energy of the Goddess, mediated through her priestess who would bestow upon him an ecstatic experience. For the priestess, the sexual act represented a ritual offering to the Goddess. More historical info: http://ishtartemple.org/history.htm
Temple Service
In the Temple, we use the concept of Seva (service without expecting a return). No "What's in it for me" concerns should be brought into the temple.
What we are healing
In today's society we have been wounded in:
We are given many "It's not Ok", "You should" negative messages. We receive restrictive, double messages about our selves and our natural behavior. This causes us to dissociate from the four aspects of ourselves. We are given a world of scarcity, guilt and dishonesty.
From this we acquire fears:
It is our mission to help relieve these fears
New World
We wish to create a new culture of Abundance and Unconditional Love. We give a positive message: It's OK, You're free to do as you wish (harming none). You have Choice; you are Self responsible
Healing
We heal through empathy and compassion. Empathy is receiving and sharing the feelings of pain by another and compassion is giving honor and your positive power to another. We heal through education of the mind, sharing of the heart/spirit and with sacred sensuality and sexuality.
Education
We communicate the understanding of wounding and the potential of healing in words through a ritual performance.
Heart/Spirit
We share our heart and spirit in a puja. A puja is a western Tantra ceremony in which people are guided into a heart and spirit connection. Pairs of participants face each other and do eye gazing and gentle touch while being coached into releasing judgemental & anxious thoughts. This allows them to be present with themselves and their partner. This lasts a minute or so, then partners are switched. Ideally, everyone gets to partner with everyone else.
Sacred Sensuality/Sexuality
This is a psychic process as well as a physical process. You need to know about Grounding/Shielding to prevent yourself from being drained. You should consult with a Priestess who can show you technique for this.
Diagnostics
Here are some ways to find out something about may need to be healed in person:
Priestesses can assist you in leaning these techniques. One may work best for you.
Healing Process
Setting boundaries - theirs and yours, both physical and honoring agreements they may have with others. You must explicitly discuss this.
You can start with:
Move Slowly -- Gently nurture, collect feedback
Keep releasing, keep checking in
Do no harm -- Karma returns to you 3 fold
Call in the divine if you have questions
Time limit 30 mins - Temple chime at 20 mins and 30 mins
(We intend to service all who come to worship if at all possible You may wish to make an appointment for a later time/date)
Graceful dismount -- What to do with people who won't complete
Safety Issues
We recommend one healer, one monitor and one worshiper per chamber
Remember Safe sex - supplies will be provided, you may also wish to bring your own.
Ring bell once for general assistance (water, supplies, etc)
Ring 2 Bells for problems
Temple Warning Chimes: If the temple chime rings repeatedly, please try to come and assist.
The Temple
We will create a week long sacred space/circle in the Temple.
People who are brought into a ritual must be greeted formally and "escorted" into the temple in an appropriately sacred manner
People who leave the Ritual must be escorted out of the Temple in an appropriate manner.
When not in ritual, entrance and exit can be less formal, no escorts/greeters required.
There are several jobs for people working in the Temple, in addition to serving in goddess chambers:
Info for worshipers
Release your expectations!
The Priest/Priestess is not a regular person during ritual, she is a Goddess giving a gift.
You may accept the gift and go forth, you may not pressure, push for more, etc.
In the role as a priestess, you are not creating a normal relationship, you are a healer. Banish your desires until after ritual is complete.
What happens in the Nightly Ritual
Worshipers are greeted at entranceway
Remove shoes
They are guided into the Temple through the water trough
They are smudged as they enter the Temple room
They are seated on carpets
Ritual is initiated by High Priestess
Education phase (story telling)
Heart Phase (puja)
Healing Phase (Individual activities in goddess chambers)
Priest/Priestesses will introduce themselves and state their boundaries and special expertise.
A milling about period will provide opportunities for you and worshipers to meet and negotiate a goddess chamber session.
On going entertainment/hosting of worshipers who are waiting for a session.
Worshipers are individually escorted by an altar and out water trough by priestess/greeter
This document was developed by Francesca Gentille and Glenn Meader 8/19/2000