Zhi Mian and "Oistros" of Life

"Oistros," or oestrus, or estrus, is a concept with many meanings and implications. In ancient Greece oestrus was a gadfly that stung animals and drove them to react. Socrates was the first to use the image allegorically in describing himself as a gadfly that awakens people from their lethargy and laziness. It is connected with the passion for life, with creativity, and an awakening from the indolence of everyday living. It is also directly associated with the female reproductive cycle via the estrogens related to pregnancy and childbirth. It is thus related to the ideas of attraction, union, and creation in general, as well as to spiritual, mental, and psychic elation, enthusiasm, and inspiration. "Zhi Mian" is a concept that the Chinese Institute for Existential Psychology introduced to the existential community a few years ago. It means to "face life directly" and to have the courage to look at our existential issues with no pretenses. This is similar to the concept of "oistros" evolved by "gignesthai," the Hellenic Association for Existential Psychology, that is, to the awareness and awakening that promote change and turn life into an intense and meaningful experience. When stung by death awareness, we give greater importance to life by realizing our time limitations and are not wasting time as if we were eternal. "Oistros" leads to a life full of passion, energy, and creativity, helping us to achieve the Epicurean dictum that "To live well and to die well is the same tas...

Source: Journal of Humanistic Psychology - April 8, 2013 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Dallas, E., Georganda, E. T., Harisiadis, A., Zymnis-Georgalos, K. Tags: Articles Source Type: research