I have been musing on catharsis as of late, and as expected, it has been quite the cathartic experience!
Catharsis defined:
1. the purging of the emotions or relieving of emotional tensions, esp. through certain kinds of art, as tragedy or music.
2. discharge of pent-up emotions so as to result in the alleviation of symptoms or the permanent relief of the condition.
3. A purifying or figurative cleansing of the emotions, especially pity and fear, described by Aristotle as an effect of tragic drama on its audience.
4. A release of emotional tension, as after an overwhelming experience, that restores or refreshes the spirit.
5. A technique used to relieve tension and anxiety by bringing repressed feelings and fears to consciousness.
Four years ago, I was going through marriage and individual counseling, and stumbled into ‘bringing repressed feelings and fears to consciousness.’ I was asked to talk about my childhood experiences – what it was like growing up.. home life, school life, experiences with friends, etc..
What happened was totally unexpected. As I would describe my experiences, and asked how I felt during those times, I was suddenly transported back.. back to the school bus.. to the classroom.. to a house so often lacking in love and warmth.. and to a little boy that so often felt lost, lonely, and without hope.
As I shared, I often had to pause to keep back the flood of pain and tears that were welling up inside me. I was shocked at how overwhelmed with emotion I was. I felt embarrassed, and I apologized and explained that I had no idea what was happening. I was encouraged to continue, and that this was good.. and I suddenly knew that I was finally experiencing something that was absolutely necessary for me to get un-stuck in my life.. it was like a secret wisdom that had finally been revealed.
That experience was life changing, to say the least.
My girlfriend is taking a college poetry class. I was blown away when she described what happened when the students shared their first poem. They eloquently shared childhood memories, pain and frustration with their world and their families, and desperate feelings that needed an avenue – in this case a poem – to bring about an emotional experience with the potential for healing. Repressed feelings of anger, sadness, bewilderment came forth from their writings, and from their sometimes trembling lips.
Plato contended that poetry encouraged men to be hysterical and uncontrolled, while Aristotle disagreed and believed poetry stabilized emotions by giving them a periodic and healthy outlet to their feelings.. I have to side with Aristotle on this one.
Aristotle is often given credit for first using the word catharsis when referring to emotions.. it was desribed as ‘the sensation, or literary effect, that would ideally overcome either the characters in a play, or an audience upon finishing watching a tragedy (a release of pent-up emotion or energy).
Stay tuned to this blog as I will muse on this topic further, share some personal experience, give my controversial and slightly convoluted opinion on the subject, and hear your brilliant feedback if you have any!
Wow, Veso, thank you for sharing. I have never understood that process or the benefit of it. Thank you for explaining what seems so complicated in such a clear manner. I think that is something I should at least try. I’m sure there is a lot I could still stand to be released from.–Cynthia
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