God-consciousness as adaptability

Human development can lead to a state of consciousness which expresses the principle attribute of the God Dionysos; that is the power to change, metamorphose or adapt. Like the infant Dionysos, in order to respond to the challenge of survival and growth the human must change and renew his psychic formations. Also, like the phoenix which voluntarily immolates itself to rise anew from its own ashes, those who would perfect themselves must be aware of the regenerative power within them and willingly die psychologically in order to be reborn. In this "death" agony there may be an ecstatic madness, laughter, at the supreme joke and paradox, that we die and live alternately.