An intuitive inquiry into experiences of transpersonal phenomena induced by electronic dance music events

The first commentaries on electronic dance music (EDM) events appeared in the late 1980s, written by postmodern theorists, public health studies authors, the government, and the media, all of which sensationalized the hedonism, escapism, drug use, and danger associated with EDM participation. At the end of the 20th century, studies were conducted on EDM participation by those in the fields of anthropology, sociology, and religious and cultural studies using experiential research and qualitative and quantitative research methods. These studies revealed that EDM events serve as liminal spaces that not only parallel shamanic and indigenous spiritual and religious practices but facilitate the induction of altered states of consciousness and provide participants with meaning, rites of passage, feelings of solidarity, and encounters with the numinous that are reported to be cathartic and transpersonal. Researchers have yet to conduct follow-up studies on these transpersonal themes and dig deeper into participants' experiences of them. Furthermore, aside from research studies that focus on the effects of drug use on EDM participants, the field of psychology is lacking a representation in research on EDM culture. Therefore, this study uses the tools and lenses of both transpersonal psychology and, more broadly, the general field of psychology in order to illuminate the contents of participants' experiences of transpersonal phenomena at EDM events and their subsequent integration of these experiences into day-to-day life. Intuitive inquiry, along with a qualitative methodological approach, was used to explore this topic with 12 participants who were interviewed outside of the EDM event context. In addition to the methods of analysis inherent to intuitive inquiry, a thematic analysis was conducted on the data that revealed the themes associated with this topic. The overarching themes include the following: Interpersonal relationships with the numinous, spiritual beings, and human beings are fostered; occurrence of transformative intrapersonal experiences; electronic dance music and its effects on the mind and body serve as a catalyst for experiences of transpersonal phenomena; experiences of a spiritual and mystical nature transpire; and emphasis placed on the significance of set and setting. Findings suggest that having experiences of transpersonal phenomena at EDM events enhances health and wellbeing in day-to-day life. Ideas for future research on the transpersonal nature of EDM participation are proposed.