Ecstasy in Classic Christian Mysticism

Ecstasy, the experience of standing outside ordinary consciousness, is a universal human phenomenon. Religious ecstasy, believed to originate from a divine source, is a major component of Christian mysticism across centuries. This essay traces forms of religious ecstasy and related terminology from biblical texts through the end of the seventeenth century. It examines three periods in detail: the Early Middle Ages (ca. 600-1200), especially the twelfth century; the later Middle Ages (1200-1500); and Early Modern Mysticism (1500-1700), with particular focus on Teresa of Avila. Although ecstasy is not the essence of Christian mysticism, it has been a significant element over many centuries.

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Abstract

Ecstasy (literally, ‘standing outside’), that is, the sense of being outside or beyond the ordinary modes of consciousness, seems to be a universal trait of human existence. Among the many forms of ecstasy is religious, or ‘supra-normal’, ecstasy, which is seen as coming from the action of a higher source, or divinity. This essay examines the forms of religious ecstasy and related terminology in classic Christian mysticism, beginning with the biblical witness and proceeding to the end of the seventeenth century. Three periods are investigated in some detail: (1) the Early Middle Ages (ca. 600-1200), especially the twelfth century; (2) the later Middle Ages (1200-1500); and (3) Early Modern Mysticism (1500-1700), with special attention to Teresa of Avila. While ecstasy is not the essence of Christian mysticism, it has been a major component of mysticism over many centuries.