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Books > Humanities > Philosophy > Western philosophy > Ancient Western philosophy to c 500
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Divine Mania - Alteration of Consciousness in Ancient Greece (Paperback)
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Divine Mania - Alteration of Consciousness in Ancient Greece (Paperback)
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'Our greatest blessings come to us by way of mania, provided it is
given us by divine gift,' - says Socrates in Plato's Phaedrus.
Certain forms of alteration of consciousness, considered to be
inspired by supernatural forces, were actively sought in ancient
Greece. Divine mania comprises a fascinating array of diverse
experiences: numerous initiates underwent some kind of alteration
of consciousness during mystery rites; sacred officials and
inquirers attained revelations in major oracular centres;
possession states were actively sought; finally, some thinkers,
such as Pythagoras and Socrates, probably practiced manipulation of
consciousness. These experiences, which could be voluntary or
involuntary, intense or mild, were interpreted as an invasive
divine power within one's mind, or illumination granted by a
super-human being. Greece was unique in its attitude to alteration
of consciousness. From the perspective of individual and public
freedom, the prominent position of the divine mania in Greek
society reflects its acceptance of the inborn human proclivity to
experience alteration of consciousness, interpreted in positive
terms as god-sent. These mental states were treated with cautious
respect, and in contrast to the majority of complex societies,
ancient and modern, were never suppressed or pushed to the cultural
and social periphery.
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