LAS VEGAS, Nevada - Wisdom Quarterly has covered this rave with the question of whether marathon dancing to techno, electronica, house, or any other music has any residual spiritual benefits -- losing the illusory sense of limited and separate ego,* meditation, urban shamanism, yoga...The Electric Daisy Carnival is a massive corporate rave. It makes so much money through ticket sales and generates so much more residual profit for cities that it has grown to include multiple cities in the same year:
- Orlando, FL - May 27-28, 2011
- Denver, CO - June 11, 2011
- Dallas, TX - June 18, 2011
- Las Vegas, NV - June 24-25-26, 2011
- Puerto Rico - August 27, 2011
Big Beats Hit Vegas: DJs Pick The Tracks Of Electric Daisy Carnival (NPR.org/Getty)
While it certainly can feel "spiritual," largely due to dissociating from a limited sense of individuality and realizing the inter-connectedness of all living beings. This is hampered by drug abuse, which is rampant at raves. It's easy to become seduced by sensuality -- hard not to be -- and dangerous to think shortcuts to a spiritual sense of Oneness (advaita, non-duality).There are transcendent moments -- the beats, the fast friends, the lights, the thrill of spectacle. But ultimately raves can only be a mind and heart opening. They cannot be the path. In and of themselves, they are not the practice. Even yoga in Los Angeles, which is far more about looks and status markers -- is no spiritual practice, even if a spiritual motivation leads one to explore it. It's a nice adjunct, as dance, exercise, and endurance can be.
Dance, but it won't take anyone as far as a dedicated Buddhist practice. It's fun, but it won't even take one as far as listening to Eckhart Tolle. And the aftermath -- broke, hung over, craving excitement just like the Buddha's advice to young Sigala:
"There are, young householder, these six unprofitable consequences that result from frequenting shows: "One is ever thinking: (1) Where is there dancing? (2) Where is there singing? (3) Where is there drums? (4) Where is there recitation? (5) Where is there playing? (6) Where is there diversion?" (DN 31)
Dance, but it won't take anyone as far as a dedicated Buddhist practice. It's fun, but it won't even take one as far as listening to Eckhart Tolle. And the aftermath -- broke, hung over, craving excitement just like the Buddha's advice to young Sigala:
"There are, young householder, these six unprofitable consequences that result from frequenting shows: "One is ever thinking: (1) Where is there dancing? (2) Where is there singing? (3) Where is there drums? (4) Where is there recitation? (5) Where is there playing? (6) Where is there diversion?" (DN 31)
- To rave or not to rave? Electric Daisy Carnival (LA)
- The next counterculture music fest
- The Buddha's Advice to Young Sigalaka (sutra)
- *Advaita philosophy, or Vedantic Nondualism, has become along with Buddhism one of the most popular spiritual paths being pursued by those interested in enlightenment today. During the past three decades, Advaita has become more widely recognized in the West through the ever-growing popularity of Ramana Maharishi, considered by many to be modern India's greatest spiritual giant.
- E.D.C. PHOTOS: 2000 - 2001 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2009 - 2010
- Rave firm Insomniac, Inc. paid off Coliseum official
- Electric Daisy Carnival moving to Las Vegas in June
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LA-based Insomniac, Inc. announced that EDC, originally scheduled to be held at the LAs Memorial Coliseum, has been postponed until June 24-25, 2011 and moved to Las Vegas. “Without an executed contract in place at this time, it has become impossible to guarantee to all of the fans and talent that EDC can be produced at this venue this year,” said Pasquale Rotella, CEO of Insomniac. “We are grateful for all of the events we’ve been able to produce at the Coliseum and Sports Arena over the years, and for the support of the fans, Los Angeles, the Coliseum Commission and everyone who has contributed to those events.”
