If you have ever attended Shambhala Music Festival, you will probably have noticed that the porta-potties double as a bulletin board for graffiti. Messages vary from “I AM POOPING!”, to master works of art, love letters for strangers, advice, riddles, and sometimes just plain non-sense. These poop-shoots provide a completely anonymous portal for messages of all types to travel through the years and while I ventured to Shambhala 2014 looking for stories of inspiration in the most obvious of places, I was surprised to find that I was faced with new insights every time I had to “go”. I made it my mission to document some of the most profound moments shared between human and toilet, I hope you enjoy!

This may as well be the slogan for Shambhala Music Festival. In three very special years, I have never once felt as though I was the subject of judgement. What a revolutionary experience it is in your first year to realize that it is completely okay to act however you like, approach anyone to say whatever is in your heart, spontaneously make that crazy sound, or dance in ANY way that feels right… in fact, this type of self expression is encouraged! This realization allowed me to test my limits, begin to learn who I truly am, embrace and love myself for it, not to mention release judgement from my own mind. To my Shambhala Family, thank you so much for teaching me this lesson, and to the vandal, thank you for putting my feelings into such simple words.

I couldn’t be expected to hit up EVERY porta-potty at Shambhala, so I sanitized my hands and faced the crowds to ask Shambhala attendees new and old about their personal experiences within those plastic walls. One subject, although unable to provide any specific examples, expressed that “the graffiti you find in a porta-potty at Shambhala is similar to the graffiti you may find in a bathroom stall, except that, in my experience, it is never vulgar and insulting. It is inspiring to me because anonymity often brings out the most hateful things, but festivals tend to bring out the best in people. The porta-potty graffiti makes me want to be the best version of myself, always.

Above:“The greatest wisdom lies in the knowledge that you know nothing.”
Below:“If you don’t want to be poor-[work for oil]-LEARN”

Admit it, you know nothing. Perhaps you can add, divide, tie a knot, pay your credit card and use an iPhone, but how much real life experience and wisdom do you actually hold? Read those words again and release your ego, the message may resonate with you and you will be free to harness the power of ignorance and eagerly begin your journey towards true knowledge, perhaps someday you may even call yourself wise.

This next one has been around for awhile, I first noticed it in 2011 during my Shambhala initiation and it really made me think. I truly believe that this message changed my life, and it turns out that I am not alone. One experienced festival goer told me, “that was the day I let go of doubt”, and after spending some time with him, it was obvious that he was telling the truth.

“We avoid risks in life… so that we can make it safely to death.”

Near the end of the festival, I happened upon a kitten, taking in all there was to take in at her first Shambhala and questioned her about her porta-potty experiences. Without hesitation, she told me that the most inspiring message she has read so far was “Love>Fear”. “It makes me feel fearless and full of love, of course! Ready to take on the beauty and terror of life”. In short: take a leap, because it will be worth it.

“Do only enough drugs to change your life for the better.”

Not sure that this needs any further explanation… I wholeheartedly agree! I hope all you newcomers get to experience what I did and more!

I wanted to include this one because every time I read a message like this (and there were many) it would fill my heart with warmth. Shambhala changed my life too, and I love the idea of paying it forward. Put in the effort to create the experience for someone else, just as someone has created the experience for you. This is how we will keep the magic alive for years to come.

With all of the excitement of Shambhala, it can be hard to find a place to get away. Considering that the porta-potties are one of the only locations at this festival where you can truly be alone (and even lock the door!), they can sometimes act as a bit of a stinktuary… er, I mean, sanctuary. One partier confessed, “the porta-potties can be a calming, safe space, if ever I need a minute or two away from the party and have a moment to myself”. So don’t hesitate to take a few deep breaths to re-center yourself everytime you make that trip to the bathroom, it may be exactly what you need to recharge before that next epic set!

“This place changed my life forever!!!”
In the end, a porta-potty is a porta-potty and you are there to do your business. If you are so inclined, take the time to look around and think about what you read, never forget to carry a pen, but always remember, “when you try to write something inspiring on the wall of a porta-potty, it all turns to shit in the end”.