The etymology of philosophy leads to the love of wisdom. The paths to wisdom can be divided into two: ekstasis and catharsis. Jamie Wheal is a thinker who utilises this distinction in his book Recapture the Rapture and on podcasts (where he includes a third aspect: Communitas — community/sangha).

The distinction between ekstasis and catharsis is a powerful one. Ekstasis is the higher perspective; it is being on the mountain and surveying the entire landscape. Catharsis on the other hand is the way under — it is Dante going through Hell and emerging into Heaven.

Ultimately both ekstasis and catharsis lead us to the same place: wisdom but the journey is very different. We can see philosophers throughout history leaning more towards one direction or another: Plato, Plotinus, Parmenides and Spinoza lead us towards the high insights of ekstasis; Heraclitus, Nietzsche and Kierkegaard lead us towards the deep wisdom of catharsis.

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Learning Resources:

• Recapture the Rapture by Jamie Wheal https://www.recapturetherapture.com/

• The Road to Eleusis: Unveiling the Secret of the Mysteries by Gordon Wasson https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/186043/the-road-to-eleusis-by-r-gordon-wasson/

• The Gay Science by Friedrich Nietzsche https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/94578.The_Gay_Science

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🎶 Music Used:

1. Magnetic — CO.AG Music

2. Mesmerize — Kevin MacLeod

3. End of the Era — Kevin MacLeod

4. Anguish — Kevin MacLeod

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⌛ Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:38 Ekstasis

4:40 Catharsis

7:57 Conclusion

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Youtube link:

https://youtu.be/fL7onbMkfMc

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