Reminiscence is a natural consequence of the past. The Nous has had no beginnning, the present life is therefore a new situation for the spirit, it has experienced higher realms and conceives for the world of intelligibles.

Ecstacy is the consummation of reminiscence, it is not a faculty, it is a state. This state is not permanent until union with the One is complete, here on earth ecstasy is only attained in flashes.

Such flashes are a brief respite, Man can cease to become man and become God, but man cannot be God and man at the same time.

Forgive me Jules Simon