Stendhal syndrome

In this presentation, Regina discusses the principle "seek beauty, avoid suffering" that was conveyed by her teacher, Lee Lozowick, which can be contemplated on the spiritual path.

She speaks about the Stendhal syndrome, neuroesthetics, and the impact of sacred art.

She notes that all the spiritual traditions put beauty in an exalted position and says that it can be a door to transcendence.

Regina outlines paths of beauty in the Navajo and Sufi traditions, talks about what it means to absorb beauty, and reads poetry of Mary Oliver.

And as I looked at that sculpture, my knees collapsed, and I fell onto the floor in a swoon.

There was nobody else in the gallery at the time, so I wasn't so embarrassed [laughs] when a few moments later, I was able to sit up and get my breath and stand up and look around outside for some place to get some water.

But I've come to find out, and you've probably heard of this, it's called the Stendhal syndrome, and it's been termed a psychosomatic response to being overwhelmed by certain pieces of art and by certain experiences of beauty.

It's most common in Venice and Paris and Rome.

I was, it was funny 'cause I was texting with one of my, uh, friends about this.

I tried to watch like Stendhal Syndrome I think once, and I was like, "Ugh, I don't know if I can do this," but, um-

Yeah

...

Oh, well, tell me your phone number, and I'll call you on Friday with whatever I have." "Oh, well, of course.

Thank you so much." That's how I left the house that day with a smile on my face and under the effects of Stendhal syndrome, which in its sexual aspect includes a supreme erection as well as tachycardia, vertigo, and dizziness.

I tried to drive my old Porsche nine one one calmly.

It wasn't easy because although it already had more sentimental value than economic value, the engine of my small sports car roared eagerly to increase its revs.

Dire thing.

Stendhal syndrome is said to occur when someone becomes overwhelmed by a powerful work of art or an extraordinary cultural experience.

The condition is named after the 19th century French writer Stendhal.

In 1817, while visiting the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence, he described becoming dizzy, experiencing a racing heartbeat, and feeling as though he might collapse.

He was overwhelmed by the beauty in history surrounding him.

In his writing, he described the experience almost like a state of ecstasy.

That account became the first famous description associated with what would later be called Stendhal syndrome.

People said to experience it can suffer from dizziness, anxiety, sweating, fainting, and disorientation.

Between Dryden and Montreal were long, isolated stretches of road where a disappearance could easily go unnoticed.

Harf Stendhal syndrome is said to occur when someone becomes overwhelmed by a powerful work of art or an extraordinary cultural experience.

The condition is named after the 19th century French writer Stendhal.

In 1817, while visiting the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence, he described becoming dizzy, experiencing a racing heartbeat, and feeling as though he might collapse.

He was overwhelmed by the beauty and history surrounding him.

In his writing, he described the experience almost like a state of ecstasy.

That account became the first famous description associated with what would later be called Stendhal syndrome.

People said to experience it can suffer from dizziness, anxiety, sweating, fainting, or disorientation.

And I give you a little bit more about this if you're interested in this.

There's a version of this up on our sub stack, disaffectedpod.substack.com. And we get into what Stendhal syndrome is.

That is that frisson, that emotional frisson.

it's pleasant and unnerving at the same time it feels overwhelming when you when you were in a place of great beauty or great historical importance at least as you perceive it um It mixes awe and reverence and humility with a sense of the unreal becoming real.

Those are... fantastic and he also instead of just as well as directing movies was also producing above other people like uh not mario bava but overseeing lamberto bava making demons and demons too yes yes

I mean, I'll give Flowers at least as far as, like, the Stendhal syndrome in 1996, which is an interesting, if not entirely successful movie.

It's kind of where he starts really over-relying on his daughter, Asia Argento, who's a very problematic figure now, so take that as you will.

Steve, I'm going to ask people to put their angry tweets down.

Um, so let's, let's, let's do something.

Um, oh, people are saying Stendhal syndrome.

Is that the thing where you become emotionally overwhelmed by being in a, in a, before some art or a sacred space or something like that? Is that what that's called?

Huh?

And Captain Picard is awed.

to see this 20th century missile in a silo and he reaches out and he puts his hand on the metal and and has a moment right and data says to him is it important to touch objects for humans and captain picard says something like yes it's extremely important it makes it gives us a connection to something emotional that you can't get from something else so i wonder if that's uh Oh, all right, Jess, you put this up.

Stendhal syndrome is a real psychosomatic condition.

Of course it is.