000 02376 a2200421 4500
001 1351581279
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008 250312042017GB eng
020 _a9781351581271
037 _bTaylor & Francis
_cGBP 39.99
_fBB
040 _a01
041 _aeng
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100 1 _aYulia Ustinova
245 1 0 _aDivine Mania
_bAlteration of Consciousness in Ancient Greece
250 _a1
260 _aOxford
_bRoutledge
_c20171016
300 _a412 p
520 _b‘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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