Original scientific paper
Achieving ecstasy. Fasting techniques as new religious experiences
Isabelle Jonveaux
; Institute for Religious Studies, University of Graz/CEIFR Paris
Abstract
Even though the monks, whom Max Weber regards as the virtuosi of asceticism, seem to turn to fasting less nowadays, the religious technique finds new success within the context of alternative forms of consumerism which also aim to be a path to spirituality. This article examines the potential similarities between fasting as a former religious technique of virtuosi and new secular offers such as fasting-and-hiking-weeks regarding the technique itself as well as its aims. Can these new forms of fasting also lead to ecstatic experience? And is it really the aim of the participants? To answer these questions, the article is based on field enquiry conducted at a fasting-and-hiking-week in Austria.
Keywords
Fasting; ecstasy; modernity; hiking; sociology
Hrčak ID:
134460
URI
Publication date:
8.2.2015.
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