{"product_id":"divine-mania-alteration-of-consciousness-in-ancient-greece-paperback","title":"Divine Mania: Alteration of Consciousness in Ancient Greece - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eYulia Ustinova\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Our greatest blessings come to us by way of \u003ci\u003emania\u003c\/i\u003e, provided it is given us by divine gift, ' - says Socrates in Plato's \u003ci\u003ePhaedrus\u003c\/i\u003e. Certain forms of alteration of consciousness, considered to be inspired by supernatural forces, were actively sought in ancient Greece. Divine \u003ci\u003emania\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGreece was unique in its attitude to alteration of consciousness. From the perspective of individual and public freedom, the prominent position of the divine \u003ci\u003emania\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYulia Ustinova\u003c\/strong\u003e is Associate Professor at the Department of General History, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. Her research focuses on ancient Greek religion and its role within the society. In addition to the study of textual and archaeological sources, her approach is based on the application of results of cognitive neuroscience, anthropology, and sociology to the interpretation of historical phenomena.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 396\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.8 x 9.1 x 6.1 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e August 14, 2020\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51790209745184,"sku":"9780367594268","price":100.42,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/1f372bfad3c4cb1d7fc327fcaf223cf5.webp?v=1780671847","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/divine-mania-alteration-of-consciousness-in-ancient-greece-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}