Ascension

I look forward to the ascension, if our Creator permits, to a realm of calm, and contemplative serenity, away from the tumult, away from evil. This is not without apprehension, as I cannot be sure to be allowed, as I will have no doubt to repent, perhaps spend some time in purgatory, who knows? But nothing else can compete with this prospect: the immensity of a sea of tranquillity.

“I felt that the good and eternal bosom of the world had accepted me into its quiet love and revealed to me its purest of expanses… I was allowed to look into this hidden womb of existence, come into contact with those places where we once lived in trusting innocence, where to this day God’s forgiveness and love awaits us…” (Ivan Ilyin, By the Seaside)

Experience

What experience do I expect, should I be successful? Well, perhaps a return to trusting innocence, perhaps a permanent erotic dream of the soul? The Universe is itself an immense sea: if I am forgiven for my numerous sins, I may be allowed to see places I have only so far visited in my earthly dreams, realms of incomparable beauty, gardens of mysterious design, I may be allowed to see Caladan, the sands of Mars, the rings of Saturn, the beauty of Clio… 

On the Shore

I fate Lord is clement, I may continue to write, to read, to lie down on the shore, listen to the waves, swim among the dolphins. I may be able to sneak to those heroes I can at present only imagine the voice, Leonardo, Montaigne, Pascal, Plato, so many others. Yet, I imagine, knowing that it may be very different of what I can anticipate now. You may want to ask: “What if you are completely wrong? What if this imagined paradise of yours turns out to be a desert, inhabited by lost tormented souls, the obverse of a hell so hot no particles can survive. What if it is all an illusion?”

Contemplation

This is where the Spirit guides me, where I submit to its design, motivated by the Spirituality of my being. I am excited by the prospect, in a serene way, I am permitted to bask in this possible delusion: but I have faith.

“But with man, a thinking and contemplating being, the light in the eye transcends that animalistic ferocity; it radiates spiritually in dealing with the world and prayerfully in turning toward the Creator.”

“Come up to this point, and no further.”

“In conclusion, embracing contemplation in the journey of aging allows us to tap into the guiding force of the Spirit within us. It is through this surrender to the higher power that we find solace and purpose, even in the midst of uncertainty. Let us approach this prospect with excitement and serenity, acknowledging that it may seem like a delusion to some, but our faith fuels our belief in a meaningful existence. So, let us continue to explore the depths of our spirituality and allow contemplation to illuminate our path as we navigate the beautiful complexities of aging.“