Abstract
The paper explores the issue of ego deflation. I will look at the concept of ego death recurrent in mystical literature, asking why it is described by the mystics as a positive, euphoric and ecstatic rather than negative and disintegrating experience. The analysis relies on St. John of the Cross’ mystical poem Llama de amor viva. Using the insights provided by the poem I will try to look at reason through the eyes of love and see how the notion of meaningfulness fits in with those of ego death and love. In line with Antonio Damasio’s ideas, I will argue that the core of the ego death experience is hugely underdetermined by its cognitive content. Using the notions of Apollonian vs. Dionysian aesthetics I will conclude that the experience depends on relational rather than cognitive qualities.
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In an interesting aside, Austin also notes that in French ‘little death’ or petit mort denotes orgasm (2006: 93). This is an intriguing metaphorical parallel, because neurologically the human capacity for EMS may have evolved as an exaptation with a basis in sexual responses and interpersonal love (Karo 2009: 150–169).
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As a side note: the above quoted verses are highly eroticized. John’s background culture conceptualized the human soul in feminine form (Latin anima vs. animus) and the Divine in masculine terms. Love’s tender wounding of the soul is thus unquestionably erotic. Moreover, the phrase tear through the veil of this sweet encounter is almost certainly sexual, hinting at the penetration of the bride’s hymen. Recall that for John, the ‘veil’ is an obstacle standing in the way of real knowing. As such, it has to be penetrated, pierced by the fiery, divine ‘sword.’ No wonder, then, that this delicate touch is connected to true intimacy! In this light, it is quite clear how the notion of death can go hand in hand with death’s exact opposite – the conception of new life and hence also sexuality. It becomes understandable how the soul can plead kill me! and at the same time affirm being more alive than ever before. This gives an interesting additional ‘undercurrent’ to the French idiom petit mort.
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Within this context, it is fitting to recall Paul Tillich’s analysis of faith, in which he strongly emphasizes that religion is not that much about intellectual beliefs. It is more about being ultimately concerned (Tillich 1955: 152–160). In other words, beliefs are important but in order for them to embody religion, they must matter to one.
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Karo, R. (2016). A Look at Reason Through Love’s Eyes: The Sense of Meaningfulness Within a Bodily Context. In: Evers, D., Fuller, M., Runehov, A., Sæther, KW. (eds) Issues in Science and Theology: Do Emotions Shape the World?. Issues in Science and Religion: Publications of the European Society for the Study of Science and Theology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26769-2_14
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