Divine inspiration is the concept of a
supernatural force, typically a
deity, causing a person or people to experience a
creative desire. It has been a commonly reported aspect of many
religions, for thousands of years. Divine inspiration is often closely tied to the concept of
revelation, the belief in information being revealed or disclosed through communication with a deity or other
supernatural entity or entities.
Ancient
Mesopotamia: In the Mesopotamian epic Atra-Hasis, the writer describes his work as dictated by the Goddess in a dream-vision.
Ancient Greece: The
ancient Greek muses were said to be supernatural forces that gave artists their skill, while the
Ancient Greek oracles were said to be subject to supernatural forces.
Hinduism:
Music has historically been considered a medium through which performers can become a vehicle for divine inspiration.[1] The goddess
Saraswati is also sometimes invoked for assistance with inspiration.[2]
Judaism and Christianity: Both religions claim
Biblical inspiration for the parts of the
Bible to which they adhere.
Islam: Muslims believe the
Quran was verbally revealed by God to
Muhammad through the angel
Gabriel (Jibril),[3][4]
Plato’s manias
Plato distinguishes four kinds of inspiration or "mania" in the dialogue
Phaedrus. The word "mania" signifying that a person is caught up in a state transcending the individual consciousness. In other dialogues, Plato identifies other manias besides the four given in Phaedrus. Anger, for example, is a mania because a man may become inspired by
Mars in battle and perform deeds of superhuman strength. The four given in Phaedrus, however, are called Divine as they are the inspirations which perfect the soul.[5]
Poetic or Musical, inspired by
The Muses, brings the disordered parts of the soul into harmony.
Telestic, inspired by
Dionysus, purifies the soul and returns it to its ideal state of perfection and wholeness.
Prophetic, inspired by
Apollo, concentrates the soul to a unity.
Amatory, inspired by
Eros, conjoins the unified soul to the gods and to intelligible Beauty, effecting divine union.
See also
Afflatus, Cicero's understanding of divine inspiration