Ever feel like you're just... gone? Like your mind has wandered off on an adventure without you? The ancient sages certainly thought so. And they had a word for it: ecstacy. But not just any kind of feeling good, but a specific spiritual state.
Philo, the great Jewish philosopher of Alexandria, writing millennia ago, gives us a fascinating glimpse into this concept of divine ecstasis, or trance. He describes it as "a departure of the mind wandering beyond itself." It's more than just daydreaming, though. It's a state where the mind leaves its usual boundaries, venturing into realms unknown.
Who experiences this? Well, according to Philo, it's the prophets. Those individuals chosen to receive and transmit divine messages. Think about it: How else could someone truly grasp the enormity of God's word, if not by temporarily stepping outside the confines of their own limited understanding?
Philo suggests that when a prophet is actively "divining," when their intellect is truly inspired, they no longer exist solely within themselves. Instead, they become a vessel, a conduit for the divine spirit. It's not a gradual process, either. Philo emphasizes the suddenness of it, describing how "spirit falls upon him; since it does not come slowly over him, but rushes down upon him suddenly." It's a powerful image, isn't it? Like a waterfall of inspiration crashing down.
And it's not always pleasant. Philo adds that “a great horror of darkness fell upon him.” This darkness, this sense of overwhelming awe and perhaps even fear, is also part of the experience. It's a disorientation that accompanies the shattering of one's normal perceptions. The world looks different, feels different.
Imagine standing on the edge of an abyss, peering into the infinite. That's the kind of experience Philo seems to be describing. It's unsettling, disorienting, but ultimately transformative. It's a glimpse into something far greater than ourselves.
Why is this important? Why did Philo dedicate thought to describing the prophet's state of mind? He tells us: it's "an indication of the evident knowledge of prophecy by which oracles and laws are given from God." In other words, understanding the ecstasis of the prophet helps us understand the very source of divine law and wisdom. It's a reminder that these laws and oracles aren't just human constructs, but emanate from a place beyond our ordinary comprehension.
So, the next time you feel a sense of awe, or even a moment of disorientation, remember Philo's words. Perhaps, in a small way, you're catching a glimpse of that same divine ecstasis, a moment where your mind wanders beyond itself, and maybe, just maybe, touches the infinite.