Complete with DJ set, flashing lights, glow in the dark sticks and crazy costumes, the setting is ridiculously similar to a club party. These intoxication-free raves sometimes include a “rave hypnotist,” a person whose job is to set the pace for the night. Roughly, it is to prepare participants to be uninhibited and to spread love and be themselves no matter what. 

Then the music starts. This is usually when it is most awkward. Picture it: you are standing there, looking at each other, asking yourself, "OK, is it time to dance? What about now? At what point during this night should I let myself go?" No, really. There’s nothing to blame for your lack of coordination, or your weird dance moves. How will you face the judgment of strangers?

(Read also: Legal highs? What you don't know about synthetic drugs)

Here is the twist, though. Oftentimes, you do not realize that the drugs or alcohol you consume at other such parties have little to no effect on the overall loved-upness you feel. “When you move in unison, and give people permission to be who they are, and you receive love for being who you are, then you automatically feel all huggy and connect with them,” says the rave hypnotist of We Are One, a substance-free club party in Camden, London. 

It is probably the concoction of shared vulnerability and mutual intimacy that brings such a sense of joy to these participants, especially considering that they’re strangers to each other. These experiences really come to have a huge impact on your soul.

“If you connect from a heart level, rather than, perhaps, a sexual level, people understand and can hold themselves back,” notes a We Are One participant. 

So, will you ditch the booze for a night? Will you settle for positivity and community instead of haziness and the illusion of freedom?

***

Jaanam Jaswani is a 17 year-old blogger and occasional poet. Impulsive and controversial, she has an insatiable curiosity when it comes to literature, performance arts, philosophy, and food. She can be found on biryanibabe.blogspot.co.id, @exist_sensual on Instagram, or @inbreadwecrust on Twitter.

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