Philo’s 4 ecstasies, from least to most desirable:

1. Pathological: Ecstasy is a mad fury, producing mental delusion owing to some defect in the individual, such as senility or melancholy, or other similar cause — so that, when an unstable psyche is taken over by the state of ecstasy, it may become distorted and pathological. Not all pathological ecstasies are extreme or negative, however.

2. Extreme Amazement: When someone experiences some unexpected event that causes an altered state, some of which become permanent. This is commonly found in certain initiatory rituals where the initiate is suddenly confronted with unexpected threats or situations in a very surprising fashion.

3. Passivity of mind: The sleep of the senses is the awakening of the spirit. When the mind settles, a form of ecstasy arises which is deep and clear.

4. Divine Possession: Entheos. The in-dwelling of the divine. The prophets as a class are, in general, subject to this. Philo sees it as the pinnacle of ecstasy. He contrasts the writings of the ego with the writings and sensings of the the ecstatic annihilation of self within the divine seeing and knowing that somehow allow his direct involvement, but never as -subject- of experience. As participant.