[emphasis added]ecstasy - ex outside of; stasis - ‘business as usual’.
— Wayfarer
:fire:
My preferred - idiosyncratic - notion is 'ecstasy' rather than 'mysticism'; ecstatic practices -
what Iris Murdoch calls unselfings - rather than mystical, or spiritual, exercises (i.e. union with (some) 'transcendent' (something)); ego-suspending via everyday living (i.e. encounters (à la Buber) - sleep, play, prayer, meditation, or contemplation via [ ... ] and/or hallucinogens) rather than ego-killing via ritualized ascetics (e.g. monasticism, militarism, etc). Not religious, not spiritual, not mystical - but I am (an) ecstatic.
— 180 Proof — 180 Proof
[emphasis added]The Greek word which appears is έκ-στασις and then means "to be or stand outside oneself, a removal to elsewhere" — javi2541997
Not sure about 'acting from our true natures' - what is your true nature ?
What do you think of how our egos and personality colour the way we understand and interact with others when we discuss the TTC ? I too see the TTC as a guidebook - but how we are guided depends on the translation. We can be led astray...
In Derek Lin's YouTube presentation of Ch13, lines 8-12 he paraphrases his translation:
The greatest misfortune is the self. How is it our biggest problem is the ego ? Think about all the troubles we get into when the ego is out of control. The issue here is to dial down the sense of self-importance.
13-16: The greatest rulers are the ones who can transcend the ego. They feel concern for the greater good. The greatest individuals are ones who love something greater than themselves; the family, team and community. They are the ones who can truly take charge of their own destiny.
Some might say, "Get over yourself !"... — Amity
I bought Murdoch’s Metaphysics as a Guide to Morals — Wayfarer
'This book represents the summation of Murdoch's work as a philosopher. It surveys the development of Western philosophy, from Plato to Schopenhauer and Wittgenstein, and takes issue with new trends such as structuralism, arguing the case for a moral view in metaphysical argument. Iris Murdoch has written a number of short philosophical works including "The Fire and the Sun" and "Sartre: Romantic Rationalist".]
I had never heard of 'unselfings' before this but have read Iris Murdoch.
I found this article by Jules Evans:
https://www.philosophyforlife.org/blog/iris-murdoch-on-techniques-of-unselfing — Amity
recommend her much more concise Platonic work The Sovereignty of Good. — 180 Proof
[1] Belief that union with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or the spiritual apprehension of knowledge inaccessible to the intellect, may be attained through contemplation and self-surrender.
[2] Belief characterized by self-delusion or dreamy confusion of thought, especially when based on the assumption of occult qualities or mysterious agencies.
[3] The experience of mystical union or direct communion with ultimate reality.
[4] The belief that direct knowledge of God, spiritual truth, or ultimate reality can be attained through subjective experience (such as intuition or insight)
[5] Vague speculation : a belief without sound basis
[6] A theory postulating the possibility of direct and intuitive acquisition of ineffable knowledge or power — T Clark
"If you can't explain it to a forum of cantankerous autodidact philosophers, you still don't understand it." — Noble Dust
"Sweet like sugar, thick and sticky, and slightly floral". Easy. — Noble Dust
You tried to explain the taste of honey using other shared experiences. — hope
That's fine with me. — Noble Dust
Do you think experiences can be shared? — Noble Dust
Whatever you say... — Noble Dust
"If you can't explain it to a 12 year old you still don't understand it." — hope
can one's brain experience Mystical phenomena? — 1 Brother James
No, completely not. As you shared with us, mysticism is another religious doctrine or way of living.
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