The
New Oxford Dictionary’s
definitions of ecstasy
The
NOD derives the word ecstasy from the (ancient) Greek ekstasis
‘standing outside oneself’, based on ek
‘out’ + histanai ‘to place’; or from Greek ek ‘out’ + stasis, literally ‘a standing
still, stoppage’ from sta- base of histani (or histemi)
‘cause to stand’. The NOD gives 3 meanings for the word ‘ecstasy’, none of
which describe ecstasy proper. 1.Ecstasy: an overwhelming feeling of great happiness
or joyful excitement. Note: The overwhelming feeling of
great happiness or joy is not ecstasy proper, i.e. the ‘standing outside’ or
‘beyond’ (i.e. the self), but the personal interpretation of the after-affect of an energy surge. That energy surge happens
either when coming to stand outside or beyond the given, hence as release
(i.e. fission) phenomenon; or when connecting with or coming to stand in a
not given (hence different), hence as empowerment via fusion phenomenon The
energy surge per se is often experienced as enlightenment.
2.Ecstasy: an emotional or religious frenzy or
trancelike state, originally one involving an experience of mystic
self-transcendence. Note: Frenzy, for instance as in
(Sufi or Rock & Roll) dancing, pre-orgasmic arousal, specific hectic activity,
like frantic shopping, working or playing, results (i.e. ends) in a
trancelike state (i.e. in an alternate enstasy).
Working up or into a frenzy, and which can be physical, emotional or mental,
reverse engineers an energy surge and which can then interpreted as happiness
or joy. 3.Ecstasy: the commercial name of an illegal
amphetamine based synthetic drug (i.e. MDMA) with euphoric and hallucinatory
effects (originally developed as an appetite suppressant).* Note: MDMA produces
hallucinations, i.e. other than self, therefore ecstatic (i.e. stand outside
or beyond the self) affects. Its amphetamine content produces euphoria (i.e.
elation (read: increased speed, i.e. an energy surge) and which is then
interpreted as happiness or joy (depending on the degree of the energy/power
surge). * When speed is required (or
naturally or artificially induced), the digestion functions are automatically
turned off, as during the fight-and-flee response. Fasting also induces
speed. |