Ecstasy

Ecstasy (Gr. ekstasis, 'displacement,' 'trance'), a word applied to those states of mind which, with- out amounting to Insanity (q.v.), in respect of the temporary character of the affection, are marked by mental alienation, and altered or diminished consciousness. The varieties of this affection are infinite. In some physical states, as catalepsy, hysteria, mesmerism, a true ecstasy is one of the phenomena, inasmuch as the proper consciousness of the individual is temporarily abolished, or so much changed in character as to lead almost to the loss of the sense of personal identity; and probably the same may be said of the mind in many dreams and visions, and also in somnambulism. Religious ecstasy, in which a man, 'being withdrawn from the senses, is raised to the contemplation of supernatural things,' and may receive the beatific vision, has been recorded of very many modern saints, notably St Teresa. It is represented as accompanied by such phenomena as being raised several feet from the ground (St Philip of Neri, St Ignatius, &c.), and bilocation or double personality. It might be produced by diabolic agency as well as by God. For the literature of the subject, see CANONISATION; and see CONVULSIONARIES, DANCING MANIA. The word ecstasy is loosely used for paroxysms of love, fear, hate; and it has a special sense in the philosophy of Neoplatonism (q.v.).