The Bloomsbury Handbook of Religious Ecstasy

Why do people seek a connection to something beyond the social dimensions of the world? Ecstatic experiences are often labelled religious, spiritual, mystical or even sacred. However, ecstasy is not just extraordinary; for many people throughout the world it is an ordinary part of daily life.

The Handbook highlights the diverse individuals who have experienced ecstasy in the past and present from ordinary people to mystics, pastors, healers, spirit mediums and urban/neo/therapeutic shamans....