Finding relase in a time of grab-happiness!

ca·thar·sis

[kuh-thahr-sis] Show IPA

noun, plural ca·thar·ses [-seez] Show IPA .

1. the purging of the emotions or relieving of emotional tensions, especially through certain kinds of art, as tragedy or music.

2. Medicine/Medical , purgation.

3. Psychiatry.

a. psychotherapy that encourages or permits the discharge of pent-up, socially unacceptable affects.

b. discharge of pent-up emotions so as to result in the alleviation of symptoms or the permanent relief of the condition.

Origin:
1795–1805;  < Neo-Latin  < Greek kátharsis  a cleansing, equivalent to kathar-  (variant stem of kathaírein  to cleanse, derivative of katharós  pure) + -sis -sis

Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/catharsis

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I used this word to describe the experience I had when I read a poem for complete strangers, and wasn't sure if I used it in the right way. It felt right, so I went with it, and as my CFO says at work, "Fake it, till you feel it!" Good advice I suppose--unless you never feel it and you're merely operating as a fraud the remainder of your existence. Nonetheless, I digress from meaningless dribble that is about to appear on the screen here...

It is rare that I find a good means of "purging the emotions or relieving of emotional tensions."  I really like holding things in until they become cancerous and eat away my insides, and then lash out violently at people until I'm left with nobody to lash out at. When that happens I sit around and let it build back up to the cancerous level and hope that either 1) people have returned and forgot what is bound to happen again or 2) new people have entered into my lair of despair so that they may be the recipient of the disaster that awaits them. It's a dangerous cycle and nothing good ever comes of it. However, I have found a release that doesn't hurt people, that doesn't push people away, that allows me to receive accolades even. It's spoken word/poetry.

There is something about hearing your name called, and that silent anticipation as you walk towards the front: 'What's he going to read? What type of style does he have? Is it going to be funny? What's going on?" These questions and more run through the minds of the audience as an unknown approaches the microphone. The light is shining down on you as you look at the microphone, which will carry your words out to the faceless mass that is the audience (you can't see anybody, the light is too bright). From the beginning of the poem/piece to the end, all eyes and ears are on you. No matter what you say, they are listening to see if anything connects with them. It's very symbiotic! There is a connection that is formed between the artist and the audience that provides a conduit for the release of emotion, of energy, of everything. You give, they take, they give back, you take!

This is what I have experienced the 3 times that I have read pieces of poetry that I have constructed. They clap, they snap, they cheer, and congratulate me when I walk off the stage. It's very relaxing when it's all said and done.

It's almost like that moment following an alter call. You walk to the front of the church to lay yourself out before God--leaving it all there at the alter. When you get up and walk back to your seat, there is a feeling of sweet release that is, at times, overwhelming. There is a lightness there that is unlike anything else. Unfortunately, as soon as the lightness is noticed, it is quickly replaced by the woes of the world: the reminders that there are still bills to be paid, mouths to be fed, work to be done, stress! If only we could find a way to hang on to that moment where everything is lifted, just a little bit longer so we an be free ourselves from the burdens that we place on ourselves!

Catharsis!

-Andy J. Graves