Every time you interact with other people you give off and receive vibes. This is evident to anyone who has been brought down by someone in a bad mood or brought up by someone in a good mood. Vibes are not limited to human emotions, even studies have shown that plants react to human intent. By the same token there have been studies that show patients who are being prayed for do significantly better than other patients not being prayed for.

Basically vibes are the product of human intent. Specifically "The Vibe" that many ravers refer to is the collective effect produced by many humans grouped together with positive intent. The results can be very uplifting and trandenscendant. I consider "The Vibe" to be a very important part of the overall spiritual experience during raves (or clubs).  For me, the spiritual aspect arises from the culmination of music, dancing, vibe, and most importantly myself choosing to focus on the positive energy and allowing it take me to another level of being. The vibe is important but it cannot take effect until you allow it and ultimately add to it.

I love 'the vibe' because it is such a strong expression of the oneness of everything.  We are individual yes, but like the pixels on a computer screen it is the combination of all our separate uniqueness which allows the cosmic dance to come into existence. The vibe can be good or it can be bad--it all depends on the people who create it and the state of their existence at the time.  I would never consider a (real) vibe to be about evil.  Even if 'the vibe' is apparently bad, it is not born out of inherent evils or badness.  Rather, negative vibes are spawned out of fear and ignorance. Most people are negative towards other people because they are afraid of rejection. They are afraid to express their true selves, thus they reject others who would accept them. Like a snow ball rolling down the hill, vibes (negative or positive) can be spread and magnified with each new person continuing to express it. I suspect all the suffering found in our world can be traced back to one poor soul who suddenly became afraid to express his or her true self.

There have been many times when I have had a moving experience involving the vibe. Too many to count each precious in their own way. There was one in particular that I recall because it was so intense. I was in the trance room listening to a fantastic goa set (at a gathering). The night had been filled with smiles and hugs and just positivity all around. Everything was perfect. Suddenly the music became more vivid and without knowing I had shut my eyes. I could feel the energy swirling around me. Then I got swept away by the beauty of the music, the people, of life, of the moment. It was so amazing that I was on the verge of tears the entire time. I live for moments like that.  If anyone was wondering, I was completely sober at the time. In fact, I've never gone to a rave without being sober.  

Thank you to everyone at that party. Maybe someday I will be able to contribute to an experience like that for you.

lates,

Matt