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- Richard Emerson on Dual Perception of the Soul
- Seán on Dual Perception of the Soul
- Richard Emerson on New Life to the Relationship
- Flaviu on New Life to the Relationship
- Richard Emerson on Full confession, and cleansing the Meta-mistake
- Seán on Full confession, and cleansing the Meta-mistake
- Richard Emerson on Beatrice’s eyes – and smile
- Joe Carlson on Beatrice’s eyes – and smile
- Richard Emerson on Dual Perception of the Soul
Author Archives: Richard Emerson
The Creation of the Angels
In Canto 29, Dante describes the origins of the Angelic Beings, as Beatrice can see in the Eternal Mind that the Pilgrim has some questions. Firstly, the argument is that the Angels were created in order to reflect and “resplendor” … Continue reading
Posted in Misc
Tagged angelology, angels, canto 29, glory, paradiso, reflection, theology
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Evening Tea
We’ve just finished the Primo Mobile, next stretch is the last four chapters with the Empyrean – and then, we can look back at two years with reading, researching and podcasting from the Comedy! Nine full readings of individual books … Continue reading
Posted in Misc
Tagged empyrean, journey, mystery, paradiso, reading, rebirth, renaissance, theology
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The Rings of Angelic Beings
Here’s the moment when the Pilgrim looks at the source of the Divine in the Deep of Motion, and sees the nine rings of Angelic Beings: there came showers of light from all the fiery rings, like molten iron in … Continue reading
The First Mover, and Time
From the moment we leave the Fixed Stars and enter into the First Mover, the poetry changes from deep theology to pure philosophy about motion, the universe, and Time. And the whole sphere is pure motion: “The parts of this, … Continue reading
Posted in Misc
Tagged Beatrice, dante, first mover, motion, nature of universe, paradiso, philosophy, physics, time, transitionpoint
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Motion
The last step before the Empyrean is the source of Motion itself, the First Mover. It might be helpful to remember the Greek definition of nature, or physis; “the underlying force (or source) of motion and change.” Motion is thus … Continue reading
Reflections on Paradiso
Reading the Paradiso for the third, and now fourth time, has been a fully different experience from the first journey through the spheres up to the Empyrean. The narrative seems even less structured than in the other two books, which … Continue reading
Posted in Paradiso
Tagged books, dante, firenze, florence, paradiso, re-reading, reading, reflection
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Dante’s thoughts of the New Papacy around 1300
Towards the boundary of the material cosmos, and right before entering the Eternal Mind of the Divine, Dante sums up his thoughts about Pope Boniface VIII through the voice of St. Peter – the first Pope: He who on earth … Continue reading
Beauty in Arts, Nature, and the Mystery
Here is the passage where Dante compares beauty in arts or in nature, with the spiritual beauty within oneself, of the Divine Mysteries: And all that art and nature can contrive to lure the eye and thus possess the mind, … Continue reading
Adam in Paradiso
Here are the words from Adam to the Pilgrim in Paradiso – as to why they were metaphorically expelled from the Garden of Eden: Know now, my son, the tasting of the tree was not itself the cause of such … Continue reading
The Definition of Hope
In the second examination the Pilgrim has to define “Hope”. His answer is: “Hope is sure expectancy of future bliss to be inherited – the holy fruit of the Divine’s own grace and man’s precedent worth.” He then says it … Continue reading
The Definition of Faith
In the first of the three examinations for the Pilgrim in Paradiso he has to define “Faith.” His answer is: “Faith is the substance of those hoped-for things, and argument for things we have not seen.” And the reason that … Continue reading
The Inner Circle of the Sun
Here are the 12 people that Dante puts in the inner circle of the Sun, the 4th Sphere: St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Albertus Magnus, Aquinas’ Teacher. (1193/1206 – 1208) Graziano (c.1075/80 – 1146/47) Peter Lombard (c.1100 – 1160) Solomon (c.970BC … Continue reading
Morning!
Wednesday morning, and the latest reading of Dante’s Paradiso is slowing sinking in with great new discoveries from the very last pages. How Dante is making the point of what could be the deepest question and mystery to ponder, about … Continue reading
Examination by St. Peter, St. James and St. John
In the final steps before the Empyrean, the Pilgrim needs to show a deeper understanding of the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love – which then brings him closer to the Divine Light in the Highest Heaven. And then … Continue reading
Posted in Misc
Tagged adam, Beatrice, dante, fixed stars, james, john, paradiso, peter
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