Csikszentmihalyi discusses ecstasy--a state or feeling of stepping into an alternate reality, or getting "lost" in what one is doing. He notes that what we have left of great cultures of the past is their temples and sanctuaries, where they went to experience life in "a more concentrated and more ordered form," where they sought ecstasy.
I'm investigating ecstasies myself these days.
This one should be interesting. Mr. Csikszentmihalyi probably manages to achieve "a state or feeling of stepping into an alternate reality, or getting 'lost' in what one is doing" just by being able to spell his own name.
ReplyDeleteThat happens to me when I'm drawing. I'll have worked on a small part of the picture and the next thing I know it's dark outside.
ReplyDeletebe careful. my younger self spent quite some time investigating ecstasy... i think it damaged my serotonin receptors, but boy, did i get good at dancing!
ReplyDeletemy older self luckily discovered meditation. it's much cheaper and safer and has pretty much the same effect. although sitting so very still has been most detrimental to my fancy footwork skills.
what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts...
be careful. my younger self spent quite some time investigating ecstasy... i think it damaged my serotonin receptors, but boy, did i get good at dancing!
ReplyDeletemy older self luckily discovered meditation. it's much cheaper and safer and has pretty much the same effect. although sitting so very still has been most detrimental to my fancy footwork skills.
what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts...