Religious ecstasy

Religious ecstasy is a specific type of altered state of consciousness. It is defined by a greatly reduced awareness of the external world. At the same time, a person may feel an expanded interior mental or spiritual awareness. This state is often accompanied by visions and intense emotional or physical euphoria. While these experiences are usually brief, some records show they can last for several days. Some individuals also report experiencing ecstasy multiple times throughout their lives.

Different religious traditions use specific terms to describe these states. In Sufism, the term used is wajd. In Buddhism, the term piti refers to joy or rapture. Piti is an element of jhana, which is a state of mental oneness with a meditation object. The adjective "religious" is used because these experiences occur during religious activities. They are also interpreted through the lens of a specific religion. Some thinkers also use terms like aesthetic or neo-platonic to describe similar mystical experiences.

Many ancient traditions developed structured methods to reach these states. Ancient Yoga provides techniques to achieve a state called samādhi. Practitioners believe there are various stages, with the highest being nirvikalpa samādhi. Bhakti Yoga also emphasizes ecstasy as a result of its practice. In Buddhism, the Pali Canon describes eight states of trance known as absorption. The first four states are rupa, or materially-oriented. The next four are arupa, or non-material. Reaching the first absorption in the Visuddhimagga requires years of sustained meditation.

In ancient Greece, ecstasy was a central part of the Dionysian Mysteries. These rites were unique because they were accessible to all women. This was true regardless of their wealth or citizenship. The rituals allowed women to move beyond domestic roles and engage in activities like hunting. The Maenads, who were female followers of Dionysus, followed a deliberate structure. They gathered at set times and arranged themselves in ranks. They sang sacred songs and wore ivy wreaths while dancing barefoot.

Ecstasy in Greek rites was often induced through music, such as drums and flutes. It also involved community dancing and head-tossing. These states could lead to vivid psychological experiences like hallucinations. Maenads might see visions of Dionysus as fire or a bull. They might also hear his voice. Some stories describe Maenads performing superhuman feats. These included uprooting pine trees or carrying open flames. Such acts were viewed as signs of divine possession.

In monotheistic traditions, ecstasy is often linked to communion with God. The Catholic Encyclopedia notes that "supernatural ecstasy" has two elements. The first is interior and invisible, where the mind focuses on a religious subject. The second is corporeal and visible, where the senses are suspended. This can make a person resistant to being awakened. Some saints experienced a form of ecstasy called transverberation, which feels like being spiritually pierced. In Sufism, individuals called masts are said to be consumed by an intense love for God. This state can cause them to lose contact with normal social customs.

Modern religious movements also report ecstatic experiences. Some charismatic Christians describe being "slain in the Spirit." They may interpret these states as being given by the Holy Spirit. Other behaviors include holy laughter, crying, or barking. Some participants have even claimed to see objects like gold dust or angel feathers. Historically, these experiences have caused controversy. In the 1700s, Jonathan Edwards argued that ecstasy could come from God, oneself, or the Devil. He suggested that one must observe a person's behavior to determine the true source. Today, various modern witchcraft traditions also focus on reaching ecstatic states in their rituals.