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The Art of Losing Control: A Guide to Ecstatic Experience
In the great complex web of modern life, our rational minds spend every second of our conscious hours scanning the horizon for opportunities and threats. We must get ahead, win friends, influence people, attract praise and avoid blame.
But why should our lives be governed only by rationalism, when we are capable of so many more states of experience? We need to find a way to escape the isolation of our egos - not simply for our wellbeing, but because our understanding of life is less rich, less profound and less rigorous without doing so. Drawing on his research as policy director at the Centre for the History of Emotions at Queen Mary, University of London, as well as his own ecstatic experience, Jules Evans mounts an investigation into what we can gain from escaping our own thoughts and mastering the art of losing control.
Jules's exploration of ecstasy is an intellectual and emotional odyssey balancing personal experience, interviews and readings from ancient and modern philosophers that will change the way you think about how you feel. From Aristotle and Plato, via Brian Eno and the Bishop of London, radical Muslims and New Age wizards, The Art of Losing Control illuminates a rational science of ecstasy which can motivate us, free us, and transform our relationship with the world.
But why should our lives be governed only by rationalism, when we are capable of so many more states of experience? We need to find a way to escape the isolation of our egos - not simply for our wellbeing, but because our understanding of life is less rich, less profound and less rigorous without doing so. Drawing on his research as policy director at the Centre for the History of Emotions at Queen Mary, University of London, as well as his own ecstatic experience, Jules Evans mounts an investigation into what we can gain from escaping our own thoughts and mastering the art of losing control.
Jules's exploration of ecstasy is an intellectual and emotional odyssey balancing personal experience, interviews and readings from ancient and modern philosophers that will change the way you think about how you feel. From Aristotle and Plato, via Brian Eno and the Bishop of London, radical Muslims and New Age wizards, The Art of Losing Control illuminates a rational science of ecstasy which can motivate us, free us, and transform our relationship with the world.
352 pages, Paperback
Published May 4, 2017
83 people are currently reading
1,409 people want to read
About the author
Jules Evans
7 books164 followersJules is policy director at the Centre for the History of the Emotions, at Queen Mary, University of London. He is also co-organiser of the London Philosophy Club, and is researching and promoting the growth of philosophy clubs around the world.
He's written on philosophy and psychology for the Financial Times, Wired, The Times, Spectator, Prospect, The Observer, Psychologies and others; presented on BBC 2's Culture Show; spoken on BBC Radio 3, Radio 4, RTE-1, ABC Australia, at the RSA, and at several festivals including Hay-On-Wye and Latitude. He is a BBC New Generation Thinker for 2013.
His first book, Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations, looks at how ancient philosophy is used by people today, and how it directly influenced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. It has come out in 19 countries, and was described as 'something of a revelation' by the Observer, and as a 'wonderful book, beautifully written' by Lord Richard Layard. It was one of The Times' books of the year in 2013.
He blogs at www.philosophyforlife.org
He's written on philosophy and psychology for the Financial Times, Wired, The Times, Spectator, Prospect, The Observer, Psychologies and others; presented on BBC 2's Culture Show; spoken on BBC Radio 3, Radio 4, RTE-1, ABC Australia, at the RSA, and at several festivals including Hay-On-Wye and Latitude. He is a BBC New Generation Thinker for 2013.
His first book, Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations, looks at how ancient philosophy is used by people today, and how it directly influenced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. It has come out in 19 countries, and was described as 'something of a revelation' by the Observer, and as a 'wonderful book, beautifully written' by Lord Richard Layard. It was one of The Times' books of the year in 2013.
He blogs at www.philosophyforlife.org
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 5, 2019
"I've decided that Western culture has a problematic relationship with ecstasy, and this narrows and impoverishes our experience of reality," Jules Evans asserts in his new book. A philosopher by trade, he has focused on Stoicism, CBT, and Buddhism. Each philosophy—or way of liberation, in Zen Buddhism's case—are receiving much-deserved attention in contemporary wisdom literature.
However, we're living limited lives due to a hyper-rational worldview, fearful of losing control. "Stoicism insists the way to flourishing is via rational self-analysis and self-control. That's often true, but not always. There is something to be said for those moments when we lose control, when we surrender to something greater than us, even if it means going beyond critical rationality. The Stoics had little positive to say about romantic love, or intoxication, or music, dancing and the arts in general—all of which involve moments of ecstatic surrender. Their philosophy lacks rituals, myths, and festivals, which have helped humans find ecstasy over the millennia."
Using personal experimentation with various avenues of ecstasy—including joining a charismatic Christian church, psychedelics, a ten-day Vipassana retreat, rock concerts, Nature, cinema, and ecstatic dance workshops—Evans walks us through the benefits and pitfalls of "enthusiasm" or "peak experiences." Grounding his framework on William James' pragmatism and the insights of depth psychology (Carl Jung!), he delves into the frightening waters of mystery, awe, and the Sublime.
My experience with this book (nearly ecstatic at times): was like reading a book I would have written had I been more intelligent and a few years more advanced. He quotes from all the right influences. And, most invigorating, (for me) he remains agnostic, eschewing metaphysics for what matters: what is going to make us live more meaningful lives?
I'm surprised this book hasn't received more reviews, and disappointed that it will be ignored by the very people who could benefit the most from it (yeah, I'm talking to you my material-realist friends!). This is a fantastic volume for those trying to find a middle way between a mechanistic cosmology and a theistic worldview.
It's encouraging to know there are others out there, approaching ideas in a pragmatic way, reminding us to stay open to the ineffable, the devastatingly beautiful and infinitely unknowable. Western culture has been chained by a worship of narrow rationality (justified in some ways), but we must make room for Apollo and Dionysus in our lives, if we want to live closer to our human potential (and beyond, in the case of transhumanists).
A more thorough review has been published at Erraticus as an essay titled, "Ecstatic Experience: How the West Can Find Itself by Losing Control."
However, we're living limited lives due to a hyper-rational worldview, fearful of losing control. "Stoicism insists the way to flourishing is via rational self-analysis and self-control. That's often true, but not always. There is something to be said for those moments when we lose control, when we surrender to something greater than us, even if it means going beyond critical rationality. The Stoics had little positive to say about romantic love, or intoxication, or music, dancing and the arts in general—all of which involve moments of ecstatic surrender. Their philosophy lacks rituals, myths, and festivals, which have helped humans find ecstasy over the millennia."
Using personal experimentation with various avenues of ecstasy—including joining a charismatic Christian church, psychedelics, a ten-day Vipassana retreat, rock concerts, Nature, cinema, and ecstatic dance workshops—Evans walks us through the benefits and pitfalls of "enthusiasm" or "peak experiences." Grounding his framework on William James' pragmatism and the insights of depth psychology (Carl Jung!), he delves into the frightening waters of mystery, awe, and the Sublime.
My experience with this book (nearly ecstatic at times): was like reading a book I would have written had I been more intelligent and a few years more advanced. He quotes from all the right influences. And, most invigorating, (for me) he remains agnostic, eschewing metaphysics for what matters: what is going to make us live more meaningful lives?
I'm surprised this book hasn't received more reviews, and disappointed that it will be ignored by the very people who could benefit the most from it (yeah, I'm talking to you my material-realist friends!). This is a fantastic volume for those trying to find a middle way between a mechanistic cosmology and a theistic worldview.
It's encouraging to know there are others out there, approaching ideas in a pragmatic way, reminding us to stay open to the ineffable, the devastatingly beautiful and infinitely unknowable. Western culture has been chained by a worship of narrow rationality (justified in some ways), but we must make room for Apollo and Dionysus in our lives, if we want to live closer to our human potential (and beyond, in the case of transhumanists).
A more thorough review has been published at Erraticus as an essay titled, "Ecstatic Experience: How the West Can Find Itself by Losing Control."
August 24, 2022
Este é muito bom. Demorou mas, sem pressa, valeu por dez.
September 11, 2018
Jules Evans wrote Philosophy for Life: And Other Dangerous Situations in 2012 in which he describes how ancient philosophy, primarily Stoicism, saved his life.
In The Art of Losing Control: A Guide to Ecstatic Experience, published in 2018, he has concluded that the Socratic path risks becoming, arid over-cerebral rationalism and, to counter this, we all could do with some Dionysiac ecstasy. Jules asserts that since the Enlightenment, western culture has had a difficult relationship with "ego-loss" and we have lost our spiritual worldview, and instead view the universe in terms of matter and the material.
Jules decides the best way of exploring how people react to ecstasy is to experience all of these things for himself. The Art of Losing Control: A Guide to Ecstatic Experience is an imaginary festival with each zone becoming the topic of a chapter. And so, in what is a pretty well worn path, we accompany Jules as he explores tantric love, charismatic Christianity, psychedelics, cinema, rock n roll, meditation retreats, AI, and so on. It reminded me a little of The No.9 Bus to Utopia by David Bramwell, however Jules provides a lot of interesting history which results in a more substantial and rigorous academic exploration.
Jules believes we would all benefit from transcending our egos on our journeys to enlightenment, however, as he points out, the road is littered with casualties, opportunists and charlatans. There's also a dark side, whilst the desire to lose yourself can be satisfied by sex, LSD or song, it is also present in acts of violence, murder etc.
I came away unconvinced by his suggestion that we all need to find a way to accommodate our ecstatic impulses, particularly as he crowbars in so many disparate examples (athletes, being in nature, political rallies, drug experiences etc) but perhaps I've become too rational. Either way, it's an interesting and worthwhile read if, ultimately, a little unconvincing.
3/5
In The Art of Losing Control: A Guide to Ecstatic Experience, published in 2018, he has concluded that the Socratic path risks becoming, arid over-cerebral rationalism and, to counter this, we all could do with some Dionysiac ecstasy. Jules asserts that since the Enlightenment, western culture has had a difficult relationship with "ego-loss" and we have lost our spiritual worldview, and instead view the universe in terms of matter and the material.
Jules decides the best way of exploring how people react to ecstasy is to experience all of these things for himself. The Art of Losing Control: A Guide to Ecstatic Experience is an imaginary festival with each zone becoming the topic of a chapter. And so, in what is a pretty well worn path, we accompany Jules as he explores tantric love, charismatic Christianity, psychedelics, cinema, rock n roll, meditation retreats, AI, and so on. It reminded me a little of The No.9 Bus to Utopia by David Bramwell, however Jules provides a lot of interesting history which results in a more substantial and rigorous academic exploration.
Jules believes we would all benefit from transcending our egos on our journeys to enlightenment, however, as he points out, the road is littered with casualties, opportunists and charlatans. There's also a dark side, whilst the desire to lose yourself can be satisfied by sex, LSD or song, it is also present in acts of violence, murder etc.
I came away unconvinced by his suggestion that we all need to find a way to accommodate our ecstatic impulses, particularly as he crowbars in so many disparate examples (athletes, being in nature, political rallies, drug experiences etc) but perhaps I've become too rational. Either way, it's an interesting and worthwhile read if, ultimately, a little unconvincing.
3/5
June 15, 2017
Humans have always had the desire to seek experiences out beyond their comfort zone. Some of these can be a real benefit to people; a shared experience in a crowd, commune with a greater spirit and those most intimate of moments can generate a real buzz. They can though be dangerous as individuals can become addicted and lose touch with their closest friends. The search for ecstasy had been mostly disregarded by western intellectuals as they looked to enlightenment for answers. Philosopher Jules Evans thinks that ecstasy needs to play a larger part in human emotional development and he decides to try as many ways possible in the search for that perfect moment.
Evans decides the best way of exploring how people react to ecstasy is to experience all of these things for himself. Starting with Holy Trinity Brompton, he undertakes an Alpha course in the search for religious joy, moves onto the thrall of the mosh pit and musical enlightenment, discovers the allure of the silver screen, takes time to consider his position in the universe, seeks harmony with nature, before tentatively venturing into the tantric love temple in Dorset of all places. The future does not escape either, whether it is seeking a transhumanist philosophy and become immortals or to lose themselves in the binary worlds or cyberspace where no one knows you’re a cat.
As the search for the ecstatic experience grows, Evans has provided the closest that we have got to a guide to losing control. He argues that it can be beneficial to us as individuals as well as society as a whole but that there are caveats. He comes from a philosophical background making parts of the book occasionally quite esoteric, but there are some funny moments in the book and generally it is well written and understandable. By undertaking these series of strange and occasionally enlightening experiences gives him a greater authority to provoke a discussion in this book and gives us plenty of food for thought.
Evans decides the best way of exploring how people react to ecstasy is to experience all of these things for himself. Starting with Holy Trinity Brompton, he undertakes an Alpha course in the search for religious joy, moves onto the thrall of the mosh pit and musical enlightenment, discovers the allure of the silver screen, takes time to consider his position in the universe, seeks harmony with nature, before tentatively venturing into the tantric love temple in Dorset of all places. The future does not escape either, whether it is seeking a transhumanist philosophy and become immortals or to lose themselves in the binary worlds or cyberspace where no one knows you’re a cat.
As the search for the ecstatic experience grows, Evans has provided the closest that we have got to a guide to losing control. He argues that it can be beneficial to us as individuals as well as society as a whole but that there are caveats. He comes from a philosophical background making parts of the book occasionally quite esoteric, but there are some funny moments in the book and generally it is well written and understandable. By undertaking these series of strange and occasionally enlightening experiences gives him a greater authority to provoke a discussion in this book and gives us plenty of food for thought.
July 10, 2019
This was a gift from a friend. The hippie in me wanted to love this book, but couldn't quite like it. The concept of the book is interesting, the author goes through all these ecstatic experiences from drugs to Vipassana and writes about them, the author tricks you into thinking that at the end there will be a best to worst list. Spoiler alert: there isn't.
The problem with this book is, to understand every chapter its enough to read the first 3-4 pages, the rest of the pages in the chapter are just the re-iteration of the same thoughts.
The problem with this book is, to understand every chapter its enough to read the first 3-4 pages, the rest of the pages in the chapter are just the re-iteration of the same thoughts.
Read
February 28, 2024Lots to chew on here. I loved the combination of personal experience and tracing of how thoughts and movements have moved historically. I thought the exploration of religion, drugs, nature, and war were all great. The sections are concise and brief but do a nice job of previewing ideas you may wish to explore further.
September 25, 2017
Its a great read. Evans has developed a very comprehensive yet broad look at the ecstatic and what it means. Written in a easy to digest and evenly divided chapters.
However, both the anthropologist and the climber in me feels like there are important parts forgotten when it comes to the social implications of ecstatics as well as the natural and dangerous domains. Even though I still think it is a brilliant work!
However, both the anthropologist and the climber in me feels like there are important parts forgotten when it comes to the social implications of ecstatics as well as the natural and dangerous domains. Even though I still think it is a brilliant work!
January 1, 2020
A very insightful read on the apparently lost ability of Western culture to embrace transcendental and ecstatic experiences. Makes a great link between the effects of a.o. Evangelical worship songs, art, psychedelic drugs and transhumanism on the way we think, behave and feel. A truly fascinating well-written book that broadened my spectrum on the need of people to lose control and find transcendence. Shines a new light on my own religious experiences.
November 24, 2017
Fun and easy read. The experiences and topics shared really resonated with me. I love how the author brings one through each point by inducing a carnival experience. Truly unique!
November 6, 2018
Fabulous revieuw on the search of freedom and happyness, written with a lot of humor.
January 12, 2022
“It’s effing hard to write about the ineffable”
Generally enjoyed this, knocked a few stars for an over reliance on Islamic examples in the ecstasy of war chapter
Generally enjoyed this, knocked a few stars for an over reliance on Islamic examples in the ecstasy of war chapter
February 3, 2020
This is a philosopher’s account of sampling from the various wells of ecstatic experience. It’s one of many works these days on what the ancient Greeks called ekstasis. There’s been major interest in investigating the topic in recent years. Historically, religion was the means by which people pursued ecstasy, but – increasingly -- people who don’t care for the dogma and tribalism of religion are starting to crave its more blissful and ego-shedding aspects.
As a work of immersion journalism, the book is a mixed bag. Evans does seek some firsthand experience of most of the topics covered, but the extent of his immersion and his discussion of it varies greatly. For example, he goes into great detail in pursuing and discussing mystic Christianity, but isn’t so comprehensive in discussing neo-Tantrism (i.e. Western, or sex-centric, Tantra) and his discussion of psychedelics draws heavily upon decisions / experiences made as a teenager (which, it could be argued, is a little like commenting on the Eucharist based on that time you got drunk on Boone’s Farm and scarfed down a bag of Doritos. Though, to be fair, the author is clear and cognizant that his youthful dalliances weren’t necessarily equivalent to a conscientious pursuit of heightened consciousness, but are more a warning to heed Leary’s advice on “set and setting.”) At any rate, if you are expecting immersion journalism on the level of Michael Pollan’s “How to Change Your Mind” you’ll find this book isn’t consistently on par (though it does have its moments.) That said, Evans does a fantastic job of researching the topic and presenting interesting perspectives on the subject, and he does so with humor and inquisitiveness. (I will say that in the latter chapters I sometimes found myself very intrigued by the discussion, but it would occur to me that I couldn’t see a direct link being made to the pursuit of ecstatic experience. Maybe it was just me, but if he strayed, he strayed interestingly – which is better than the alternative.)
The book consists of an introduction and ten chapters. The chapters cover such approaches to ecstasy as: religion (primarily Christianity is discussed, obviously focusing on sects and subsects that pursue [rather than shun] ecstatic experience), the arts, rock-n-roll (with an intriguing focus on its surprising resemblance to religion), psychedelic substances, meditation, neo-Tantrism, war and violence, communing with nature, and transhumanist efforts.
With the exception of Evans’ investigation into meditation, for which his experience involved Vipassana -- a nominally Theravadin Buddhist system, Evans’ book focuses heavily on Western approaches. I actually enjoyed this because it seems like there is much more discussion of Eastern approaches and those rooted in them.
The book is annotated and has a section of photos in the back as well as a few other graphics where needed.
I enjoyed this book and learned lot from it. As immersion journalism it displayed a wide variance of depth and openness, but it was well-researched and the information was delivered in a light and readable manner.
As a work of immersion journalism, the book is a mixed bag. Evans does seek some firsthand experience of most of the topics covered, but the extent of his immersion and his discussion of it varies greatly. For example, he goes into great detail in pursuing and discussing mystic Christianity, but isn’t so comprehensive in discussing neo-Tantrism (i.e. Western, or sex-centric, Tantra) and his discussion of psychedelics draws heavily upon decisions / experiences made as a teenager (which, it could be argued, is a little like commenting on the Eucharist based on that time you got drunk on Boone’s Farm and scarfed down a bag of Doritos. Though, to be fair, the author is clear and cognizant that his youthful dalliances weren’t necessarily equivalent to a conscientious pursuit of heightened consciousness, but are more a warning to heed Leary’s advice on “set and setting.”) At any rate, if you are expecting immersion journalism on the level of Michael Pollan’s “How to Change Your Mind” you’ll find this book isn’t consistently on par (though it does have its moments.) That said, Evans does a fantastic job of researching the topic and presenting interesting perspectives on the subject, and he does so with humor and inquisitiveness. (I will say that in the latter chapters I sometimes found myself very intrigued by the discussion, but it would occur to me that I couldn’t see a direct link being made to the pursuit of ecstatic experience. Maybe it was just me, but if he strayed, he strayed interestingly – which is better than the alternative.)
The book consists of an introduction and ten chapters. The chapters cover such approaches to ecstasy as: religion (primarily Christianity is discussed, obviously focusing on sects and subsects that pursue [rather than shun] ecstatic experience), the arts, rock-n-roll (with an intriguing focus on its surprising resemblance to religion), psychedelic substances, meditation, neo-Tantrism, war and violence, communing with nature, and transhumanist efforts.
With the exception of Evans’ investigation into meditation, for which his experience involved Vipassana -- a nominally Theravadin Buddhist system, Evans’ book focuses heavily on Western approaches. I actually enjoyed this because it seems like there is much more discussion of Eastern approaches and those rooted in them.
The book is annotated and has a section of photos in the back as well as a few other graphics where needed.
I enjoyed this book and learned lot from it. As immersion journalism it displayed a wide variance of depth and openness, but it was well-researched and the information was delivered in a light and readable manner.
January 1, 2023
It turns out for me that this book is more about history than philosophy. The author did well in providing short history and his comparative analysis about many areas of his interest about ways for achieving ecstasy such as mindfulness, using drug substances, charismatic cults, romanticism, mysticism, war, etc. His critical analyses are mostly pragmatic, realistic, down-to-earth and they mostly match my own notion of all human enterprises. I like the way he always see both sides of each matter discussed.
As I worked all my professional life in IT, I especially like the way the author analyzes promises and limits of technology with fierce realistic view. It's sad that eventually, commercial tech is just another "old" new way for advancement that has never gone beyond human nature for mundane material prosperity. Our critical mind would serve humanity better in trying to separate the core from the bark. (Having and exercising a critical mind does not come naturally for us and it serves us well to seek to digest other good books on this matter.)
In the final analysis, I see the author implies all these are to be embraced or digested with caution (some more than others). Knowing relevant history and applying critical thinking is two of the few valuable, even life saving, tools for us to see things in 360 degree and be able to understand and appreciate matters of life as they really are.
As I worked all my professional life in IT, I especially like the way the author analyzes promises and limits of technology with fierce realistic view. It's sad that eventually, commercial tech is just another "old" new way for advancement that has never gone beyond human nature for mundane material prosperity. Our critical mind would serve humanity better in trying to separate the core from the bark. (Having and exercising a critical mind does not come naturally for us and it serves us well to seek to digest other good books on this matter.)
In the final analysis, I see the author implies all these are to be embraced or digested with caution (some more than others). Knowing relevant history and applying critical thinking is two of the few valuable, even life saving, tools for us to see things in 360 degree and be able to understand and appreciate matters of life as they really are.
May 29, 2019
Very engaging, most thought provoking book.
In a way it is shocking to see several ways of finding transcendence (religion, art, sex, drugs, rock and roll, violence,... ) discussed all at the same informative level.
It makes me wonder deeply about my own love for church services and sacraments, if they are more than an addiction.
The book is a mix of all kinds of information, and the experience of the author. What he wrote about the subculture of the alpha course is so recognizable to me, that it makes the rest of the book also trustworthy to me.
At the one hand, this book shatters illusions, showing how certain strange events just happen if we create the right circumstances, and the similarities between the various ways, on the other hand the author shares lots of testimonies about spiritual experiences, without judgement.
If anything, he opened my eyes to the fact that we humans just need transcendence to be truly alive. But this need is fraught with danger and we need to learn how to create safe places for it.
In a way it is shocking to see several ways of finding transcendence (religion, art, sex, drugs, rock and roll, violence,... ) discussed all at the same informative level.
It makes me wonder deeply about my own love for church services and sacraments, if they are more than an addiction.
The book is a mix of all kinds of information, and the experience of the author. What he wrote about the subculture of the alpha course is so recognizable to me, that it makes the rest of the book also trustworthy to me.
At the one hand, this book shatters illusions, showing how certain strange events just happen if we create the right circumstances, and the similarities between the various ways, on the other hand the author shares lots of testimonies about spiritual experiences, without judgement.
If anything, he opened my eyes to the fact that we humans just need transcendence to be truly alive. But this need is fraught with danger and we need to learn how to create safe places for it.
September 15, 2024
Finished long ago so can’t go into details but I would say it’s interesting to read if you want to study the way a white man works to remove himself from the world to fabricate an appearance of an “unbiased observer”. No personal judgement to this person I don’t know him but yeah it’s quite astonishing to witness his process and his train of thought if you’re interested in something like that.
On the contrary, if you’re searching to reconnect with yourself or the divine, if you’re looking for answers, i really advise you against reading this book because the way it’s written is in such an intellectualized manner that is rather dissociative and has a chance of traumatizing your relationship with the divine further than it already is.
It’s basically a diary of someone who thinks that action and overthinking are useful on the way to peace. (Again, I’ve read quite a while ago and maybe he is aware of that, I’m not claiming to have discovered it, just relaying my observations)
On the contrary, if you’re searching to reconnect with yourself or the divine, if you’re looking for answers, i really advise you against reading this book because the way it’s written is in such an intellectualized manner that is rather dissociative and has a chance of traumatizing your relationship with the divine further than it already is.
It’s basically a diary of someone who thinks that action and overthinking are useful on the way to peace. (Again, I’ve read quite a while ago and maybe he is aware of that, I’m not claiming to have discovered it, just relaying my observations)
September 28, 2023
The "ecstatic" feeling has often been used as a synonym that people will use to simply mean "really happy," and that's really not what that feeling is. This book does a deep dive in the ways that emotion can be teased out of us.
What I really appreciated about this book was that it didn't just delve on the feeling of "Ecstasy" as a positive thing, in fact the feeling can have a surprising dark side to it too. The Art of Losing Control is a good read to try and understand this intoxicating feeling and how it is deeply tied with our lives, and how it seems to spring up with the things we closely link with being spiritual.
What I really appreciated about this book was that it didn't just delve on the feeling of "Ecstasy" as a positive thing, in fact the feeling can have a surprising dark side to it too. The Art of Losing Control is a good read to try and understand this intoxicating feeling and how it is deeply tied with our lives, and how it seems to spring up with the things we closely link with being spiritual.
September 26, 2018
Zeker origineel. Met name in opzet van het boek, aan de hand van “een festival” langs verschillende “tenten” van ‘extase’. Oftewel, extase, we hebben het nodig maar wat is het/hoe vinden we dat en wat brengt het ons? Een groot aantal inzichten waren me niet schokkend of onbekend maar toch wel iets opgestoken en vooral leuk (het meeste dan..) en interessant. Als de schrijver aan het einde nog even kort vermeld wat hij er allemaal niet in heeft gezet, of wat nog niet is onderzocht door hem, wordt ik wel meer nieuwsgierig naar juist die onderwerpen.
July 8, 2019
I loved this book! Evans does a little of the "stunt exploring" that a lot of nonfiction writers do to sell books these days (certainly can't blame them), but he tempers his adventures perfectly with a cogent summary of the history and philosophy behind why ecstatic experiences are still so threatening to Western society. This book helped me to make more sense of why I tend to pursue such experiences myself, and it may convince even the tradition-bound as to why such experiences are so necessary in our society currently.
April 12, 2023
This was easy to read. The first half I found to really grip my attention, the second half wasn't as good. The author made a lot of interesting points but at the end of the book I thought I would have a better understanding of how exactly to reach ecstatic states. The author used a plethora of examples of ecstatic activities, but I wish he had gone into more detail into how to actually get there to access this part of your brain.. it was eye-opening for sure and I felt like this book definitely tranformed my view of the world!!
May 28, 2024
A very informative and readerly book - a short history of ecstasy from many areas, from religion to literature to sex & drugs and even the internet & transhumanism. Lots of nice book recommendations along the way such as Aldous Huxley's After Many a Summer or his last novel, Island.
Towards the end of the book we come across this passage:
"Without Dionysius, the Socratic path risks becoming arid, over-cerebral rationalism. Without Socratic ethical reflection and practice, Dionysiac ecstasy is just a rush." (229)
Towards the end of the book we come across this passage:
"Without Dionysius, the Socratic path risks becoming arid, over-cerebral rationalism. Without Socratic ethical reflection and practice, Dionysiac ecstasy is just a rush." (229)
July 15, 2018
I really enjoyed this survey of humanity's ways of trying to experience transcendence throughout the ages. The author's equanimity in the face of his significant experiences in approaches like religion, psychedelics, and meditation (his previous book was apparently on Stoicism/CBT) kept me from feeling like I wasn't being sold on a particular way. The book has a slightly twee framing device of each chapter as a different festival tent, but fortunately it doesn't intrude on the content too much.
October 4, 2021
Entered into the book with the idea that it would be another semi-philosophical, semi-comical, semi- narcissistic account of a journalist immersing himself in the topic.
Came out of this one surprised. Well-researched; comprehensive yet not exhaustive. I learned much, even on topics in which I thought I knew well enough. His forays into the various topics (Christianity, psychedelics, music, meditation) hold a pearl of certain wisdom rather than just another box to check off for the book.
Came out of this one surprised. Well-researched; comprehensive yet not exhaustive. I learned much, even on topics in which I thought I knew well enough. His forays into the various topics (Christianity, psychedelics, music, meditation) hold a pearl of certain wisdom rather than just another box to check off for the book.
September 2, 2018
A fascinating book that I chose to read because I have been reading about Stoicism and I wanted to read about the opposite of Stoicism. The author describes various means to achieve ecstasy, and then describes the pitfalls of each. I wasn't persuaded to try anything, but I was enlightened as to why others do what they do.
October 29, 2018
A book worth reading more than once. It’s the kind of book that you’ll find yourself gravitating towards through out the different seasons/chapters in your life. This read felt more like a conversation than someone talking “at” you. Highly recommended, enjoy!
September 19, 2021
Had expected more first person accounts of the author's real life experiences during his search. Instead we get mostly literature review and discussion of concepts. Not badly written but not much new here.
June 12, 2022
It’s for sure very enlightening. This book expanded the horizon of my learning on how I perceive the deeper meaning of my own consciousness. This book creatively led me to my own confirmation that my self-experimentation on “stuff” is actually agreeing upon what this book says about them.
September 26, 2023
A good introduction to an important cultural topic. More mainstream discussion of these concepts would be welcome.
The title is a little misleading. This is a first-person scholarly or journalistic read, not a how-to book.
The title is a little misleading. This is a first-person scholarly or journalistic read, not a how-to book.
November 16, 2017
Stunning book!
May 16, 2018
v interesting
funny man
funny man
December 12, 2019
This book made me realise what I was missing and changed my life.
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