What is Ecstasy?

The word "ecstasy" always evokes associations with something grandiose and even a little magical. This is the moment when the mind and body seem to separate from each other, when a person experiences such a strong emotional or physical experience that all other sensations simply disappear. The word itself sounds incredibly attractive, but what does it really mean, where does it come from, and how has its meaning changed over time?

Like many other terms, "ecstasy" came to us through the Greek language. Originally, the Greek word " ⁇ κστασις" (ékstasis) literally meant "exit beyond" or "exceed". This word consisted of two parts: "ek" - which means "outside", and "stasis" - "stand". That is, in the literal sense, ecstasy is a state when a person goes beyond the usual state, surpasses himself.

In ancient Greece, "ecstasy" had a slightly different meaning than in the modern world. It was not so much about pleasure as we can imagine, but about spiritual or religious condition. Most Greek philosophers, such as Plato, saw ecstasy as a state in which the soul is released from the body and connected to the divine. For them, it was something that brought a person closer to the truth, spiritual enlightenment.

The religious aspect of ecstasy was preserved in later eras. In Christianity, especially in the mystical tradition, ecstasy is often described as experiencing direct contact with God. Saints such as Teresa of Avila spoke of ecstatic visions in which they felt complete unity with divine power. It was a perception that surpassed any earthly experience.

But gradually the concept of ecstasy began to lose its exclusively religious connotation and acquired a wider meaning. In art, literature, and culture, it has become associated with the highest forms of emotional enjoyment or intense experiences. For example, in music, people often talk about "musical ecstasy" when a powerful melody is so exciting that the listener feels in a state of elation.

Today, ecstasy can have many meanings depending on the context. The most common understanding is a state of incredible joy, emotional enjoyment, or even bliss. People often talk about "ecstasy" during a strong emotional uplift, when the feeling of happiness is so intense that it cannot be described in words.

However, in the modern world, the word "ecstasy" is also associated with more controversial concepts. For example, "ecstasy" is a synthetic drug that causes a feeling of strong emotional uplift, increased energy and altered consciousness. However, unlike ancient philosophical or religious ideas about ecstasy as a way of connecting with the higher one, in the case of ecstasy it is more about a physiological reaction to chemicals, which does not always lead to positive results.

From the point of view of philosophy, ecstasy can be considered as a moment of going beyond the usual perception of reality. Philosophers of the 20th century, in particular Jean-Paul Sartre, believed that ecstasy is a way to go beyond one's self and explore reality beyond ordinary awareness.

It can be a brief moment of pure freedom, when a person experiences something extremely important and unpredictable. Sartre, for example, believed that ecstasy could be the state in which a person would feel true existence, see the world as it is, without masks and conventions.

Now ecstasy can be an individual experience: for some it can be a moment of deep connection with nature, for others - a higher state of consciousness during meditation, creativity or sports. In any case, it is an experience of going beyond habit, of exaltation, when every cell of your being seems to dissolve in the world.

For me, ecstasy is not necessarily something that can be caused or planned. It's rather that rare moment when everything in the world converges and you suddenly feel that you exist in the deepest sense of the word.

If you think about it, ecstasy is more about the ability to see the world in all its fullness, when the boundaries between the inner and the outer disappear and you become part of something bigger.