I've been meaning to write about this for the past five days. But the words don't come so easily. Then again, that is the problem with language and words. They constrict what you say. Instead of expressing what you mean or feel, words have this way of boxing meaning; they keep some things in, and the rest out. Because of language, I can express myself, but because of language, I have no way of expressing something I experienced or something I feel. Not to its fullest extent.

This past weekend, Epsylon, S., M., and myself headed down to Eugene for Remembrance. This rave was set up with two very important intentions. The first, to remember our loved ones who have left their bodies: to celebrate them, to remember the great memories we shared. The second was to raise money to give to the family of a man who died in August on his way home from a rave.

I was knighted the lovely task of driving us down there and finding some vegan eateries for dinner and breakfast. My two biggest concerns: not falling asleep on that two hour stretch of straight highway, and good food in an unknown foreign place.

The drive was amazing. As opposed to downing the "energy drinks" that I expected to, I was engaged in wonderful conversation by three amazing souls. The topics ranged from electroclash to transcendental experiences to politics. When we arrived in Eugene, I safely docked out party at The Pizza Research Institute, where we all gulped down the best vegan pizza we've ever had. Conversation dropped off at this point as we each fell into the blissful eating state, but the connection still remained the same. Over the course of two hours, a wonderful little community was made. The first time I really have felt this at any electronic event I've been to.

While Epsylon was setting up for his set, I place my Durga statue in front of him, took my mala and went to the corner to meditate and chant my mantra till I was at ease.

His set started off with a chant that both quieted the room and centered everyone's intention and attention. It was a short 20 second chant that seemed to go on for an hour. During it my mantra was repeated louder and louder internally as I pranamed to everyone in the crowd, sent off my blessings to each one, and begged for my guru's blessing and love.

And with a boom, his set began. It was a live set, meaning he was mixing in Abelton Live, contorting sound with his Virus C, and playing the piano along. It was the first set in which he played all of his music. Immediately with that first bar, I felt a rush of emotion that I have only experienced a few other times. This rush was a swelling of unconditional love, joy, omnipresence, groking, and presence. That is the simplest way to describe it yet it doesn't event compare to the emotion rushing through me.

I felt like I had tapped into the universal source. I was overwhelmed. I thought I was going to explode, fall down crying hysterically, kiss everyone, and leave my body all at once. I've experienced this before, but it continues to leaves me breathless each time.

I began to dance. Something I've never done when anyone has been around. Raves for over 10 years, and this was the first one at which I danced. I moved as I was filled with emotion. I danced as the music swelled. I danced as the energy of the crowd flowed around me. I danced until I couldn't dance anymore. I wasn't concerned with other people. I was connected with my body, the music, the energy, the being. I was connected.

A bit late, I looked over and saw a lovely sitting by the wall in meditation. I don't know why, but immediately I stopped dancing for him. I walked over, sat down, and began my practice of Hong-Sau, a novice's meditation technique taught by Yogananda. There is no explanation for why. I just acted. Today I found out that it was needed and it was felt. I am happy about that. I had no intention other to send him and the crowd love, and I am glad that he received it.

I think I needed it too. After the meditation, I felt more centered, more full of love, but less like I was going to explode. This time, it was washing over me, but not violently like before. I could now understand the lyrics, "I am the bubble, lord, I am the sea."

The experience was amazing. I felt connected. To everyone and everything. I felt compassion and unconditional love for everyone. I felt like I was even more deeply connected to my partner and those around me. I felt like I contributed to something wonderful. It was ecstatic. It was paradise. It is not even close to what full samadhi would feel like.

I can only hope that in our future more and more events are held with the same amount of intention and the positive energy can circulate throughout the crowd.

It was truly and experience I will never forget.

All across the globe, young people everywhere are experiencing spirit through dance and the transcendent states induced by multi-dimensional music that has been hailed as "the next evolution of art". In a world where religion causes so much conflict, the children of "Generation Why" are combining ideas, cosmologies and practices to forge a spirituality that is uniquely theirs. They gather in warehouses, forest glades, deserts and anywhere they can find to create sacred spaces where they can find spirit in the experience of electronic dance music.

What was once known as the "rave" scene in the US died out almost completely near the turn of the millennium with US government propaganda depicting the music as merely an excuse for "drug abuse", as well as the enactment of draconian legislation such as the RAVE Act, which allows federal agents to fine or imprison organizers of electronic music gatherings if any participant is caught with an illegal substance, has scared many promoters away from organizing events.

In its place, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, a new culture of spiritual warriors whose lives have been changed by the electronic music experience are renewing their commitment to this art form with the seriousness of a religion. They believe that the current institutions cannot offer them the experience they seek, and desire to create their own sacred spaces where the boundaries of race and culture are broken down, allowing the participants to feel a deep sense of unity with each other and the universe.

Robin Sylvan, Ph.D. describes this phenomenon in his book "Trance Formation: The Spiritual and Religious Dimensions of Global Rave Culture". He interviews dozens upon dozens of people at the heart of the scene, many of which discuss their deep spiritual feelings about the music in the book. He makes the case that a new kind of spirituality is forming around it, one that creates an experience far more trans formative than any religious dogma.

In a country where the first amendment of the constitution says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," don't these worshipers deserve the freedom to practice what brings them true happiness?

An ever growing number of scholars, thinkers and religious leaders are beginning to collaborate in reaching a unified, integrated world view. Figures such as the Dalai Lama, Ken Wilbur, Claire Graves and countless others are hosting conferences to this effect, and the results are surprising and refreshing. Philosophy has been viewed by the American public as a dead end road for quite some time, but interest has recently been renewed, causing a surge of fresh thought and discussion.

Although only a small number of people have yet been exposed to the ideas central to this movement, it is rapidly gaining momentum. The ramifications for the world are promising, for philosophies have always paved the way for social constructs.