Valerie Fliss - Personal Myths and Ecstasy

I was reading Ms. Rowe's posting on her reaction to Zoltan's visit and ecstasy, and it struck me that what she was saying was very similar to something that I had just read in G.K. Chesterton's book, "Heretics." Mr. Chesterton was discussing the temperance movement in America, which believed that alcohol should not be drunk for pleasure and only for health reason, and was saying that this stance was a dangerous and even immoral thing, stating, "If a man drinks wine in order to obtain pleasure, he is trying to obtain something exceptional...But if a man drinks wine in order to obtain health, he is trying to get something natural; something, that is, that he ought not to be without."

Wine (or alcohol in general) is often compared in literature to ecstasty - like in Rumi's poetry, drinking wine is a symbol of trying to attain a higher state of being. Mr. Chesterton's quote makes a very good point, one that I think ties into this idea of religious/artistic ecstasy and humanity; religion, or myths, can serve as both a source of pleasure, in which way they become a way to ecstasy, but if humanity seeks out religion or myths as a way to obtain something that they think they have to have, that they do not have in life, it will not lead to ecstasy. Also, though, in using these religions or myths in such a way almost corrupts the religion or myths - they become mundane and lack mysticism, and ground us in the material world all the more.

Seeking ecstasy because you feel that you are missing it will not bring you ecstasy, or give you that higher mindset; but if you look at something or do something because you genuinely want to do that thing for its sake, then you will find ecstasy. So for Ms. Rowe, if she really wants to go out and take a long walk like Zoltan did, then go for it! Participate, enjoy, and you shall find ecstasy! And just as Zoltan came and shared his myth ('myth' being his experience with that sort of ecstasy that comes with the contact of ultimate pleasure and triumph) to inspire us, hopefully you too shall inspire others to discover ecstasy!