Redemption is the restoration of the status quo ante before the Fall. That means the state in which there is the awareness of God’s presence in the life body; nature itself has been changed. But just as the Serpent was in the Garden, Lucifer is still present among us, not as Lord, but as tempter. He has no power over us unless by our consent. Continue reading
It is no coincidence that the Sacred Liberal Arts are Seven in number: this is the number of the mysteries, the steps towards union with God, and the rays of Creation, as well as the visible planets, the notes in the musical scale, and the steps or levels of the … Continue reading
In order to be truly absolute and infinite, it must also be the principle of relativity and finitude. At this point, the Philosopher admits that this understanding brings him to a state of mystical enthusiasm. Sophia explains that is because the absolute principle is Love. In expressing itself as relative and finite, that is a form of self-denial and the affirmation of the other, the very definition of Love. Continue reading
Origen, Dionysius the Areopagite, Jacob Boehme, Louis Claude de Saint-Martin, Vladimir Solovyov and Nicolas Berdyaev, for example, show in their works a progress which is very advanced in substantially bringing together intelligence and the intuition of faith. ~ Valentin Tomberg Continue reading
God bears in the intelligible world to reason and its objects the same relation which the sun bears in the visible world to sight and its objects. ~ Plato, Republic Continue reading
Love becomes the highest goal, even higher than apatheia. Love, in this sense, is more than worldly friendship or family affection; it is a spiritual love. The overcoming of negative emotions, the state of apatheia, is preparation for this higher stage. Continue reading
Thorgeir spent the day in meditation. On the following day, the Christians and Pagans met again to hear his decision. Thorgeir explained that there could not be two conflicting laws and asked for pledges from both sides to abide by his decision. Continue reading
Even the heathen philosophers clearly recognized this truth, especially they who held that the wise man alone is free; and by the term “wise man” was meant, as is well known, the man trained to live in accordance with his nature, that is, in justice and virtue. Continue reading
The understanding of esoteric symbols is the result of revelations given by divine grace, and this demands a progressive opening out, in quality and in strength, of adequate faculties latent in the student. One arrives at this through a tension of the will toward the goal of the search. When it is strong enough and properly oriented, this tension resolves itself in a series of partial revelations that are acquired, and which lead by stages toward those that are given. Continue reading
Relying on the best of recent biblical exegesis, Fr. Joseph Ratzinger provides interesting details regarding the actual birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. He avoids the sentimentalism often surrounding the Christmas story, and instead brings out its essential meaning. Interested readers can consult the book. What I prefer to focus on … Continue reading