Liviu Petcu, Experienţa extatică a sufletului în Dumnezeu după Sf. Grigorie al Nyssei (III)
St. Gregory of Nyssa on the ecstatic experience of the soul in God: sober intoxication, sleep awake, wound and flight of the soul (III)
St. Gregory lists several reasons that cause ecstasy: sober intoxication, sleep awake, wound and flight of the soul.
As far as the “sleep while awake” is concerned, this sleep, which always comes after such “drunkenness”, shows indifference for the outside world, going as far as working off the body senses. In such a state the mind solely stays awake, while the body is like in a sleep.
The image of the soul flying on the wings of the Holy Spirit in the Divinity air is strong. The idea of the soul flying on wings is found through-out early Christian literature, and a study of this concept reveals the multi-faceted background to the use of the phrase.
Keywords: Gregory of Nyssa, spiritual life, theological theory, ecstasy, sleep awake, wound and flight of the soul, impenetrable darkness of God, virtue.
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