At the moment of death the soul experiences the same impressions as those who are initiated into the great Mysteries
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
|
"L'âme au moment de la mort éprouve la même impression que ceux qui sont initiés aux grands Mystères. Ce sont tout d'abord des courses au hasard de pénibles détours, des voyages inquiétants et sans terme à travers les ténèbres. Puis, avant la fin, la frayeur est à son comble. Le frisson, le tremblement, la sueur froide, l'épouvante dominent. Cette phase est suivie presque immédiatement d'une remontée vers la lumière, d'une illumination brusque. Une lueur merveilleuse s'offre aux yeux, on traverse des lieux purs et des prairies où retentissent les voix et les danses. Des paroles sacrées inspirent le respect religieux. L'homme parfait et initié devient libre, et il célèbre les Mystères." --Plutarque cited in Les Fourmis |
|
Related e |
|
Featured: |
"At the moment of death the soul experiences the same impressions as those who are initiated into the great Mysteries " is a dictum attributed to Plutarch.
Instances:
- "At the moment of death the soul experiences the same impressions as those who are initiated into the great Mysteries."--A Search in Secret Egypt (1936) by Paul Brunton
- "At the moment of death the soul experiences the same impressions as those who are initiated into the great Mysteries..."--The Mysteries of Eleusis (1932) by Georges Méautis
- "This conjecture derives considerable support from the words of Themistius. The dying, says he, experience nearly the same things as they who are initiated into the great mysteries. In the first place are wanderings ; anxious hurryiogs hither and thither; paths enveloped in darkness and suspicion, and terminating. we. know not how nor where. These are followed by horror, trembling, and amazement. At length, a wonderful light appears ; enchanting scenes are discovered : singing and dancing are there, and many things are heard which increase our admiration of these sacred regions. Holy shades present themselves, and among these, he who is fully initiated and has obtained the high privilege of communion with them is joyfully crowned. In the midst of these he exults ; he now holds converse with the holy and the blessed ; and he afterwards, regards with pity the profane and impure multitude of the inhabitants of the earth."--The Classical Journal[1]
Plutarch also said:
- "At first there is wandering, and wearisome roaming, and fearful traveling through darkness with no end to be found. Then there is every sort of terror, shuddering and trembling and perspiring and being alarmed. But after this a marvelous light appears, and open places and meadows await, with voices and dances and the solemnities of sacred utterances and holy visions. In that place one walks about at will, now perfect and initiated and free, and wearing a crown, one celebrates religious rites, and joins with pure and pious people. Such a person looks over the uninitiated and unpurified crowd of people living here, who are packed together and trample each other in deep mud and murk, but who hold onto their evil things on account of their fear of death, because they do not believe in the good things that are in the other world." — Quoted in Stobaeus, Anthology 4.52.49
See also
