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10 commandments for a successful life, according to Dante
Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2015 4:09 pm
by Welles
This isn't a book review of Dante's Divine Comedy. The author learned some marvelous lessons from reading it during a personal spiritual crisis. He calls it the best self-help book ever written. It is a brilliant perspective and well worth reading. I thought it was especially interesting because of George's connection to Beatrice. Her work is echoing down the corridors of time.
10 commandments for a successful life, according to Dante — By Rod Dreher
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts ... -to-dante/
Welles
Re: 10 commandments for a successful life, according to Dant
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 2:18 am
by Geoff
Yeah they are sensible basic things that I believe most of us learn when following a spiritual path. The only one I would not personally adhere to, is the issue of spiritual mentors/leaders.
10. Follow trusted teachers and mentors.
I only view these as I might a spiritual book. I certainly do not hang on every word of a "leader" (or book), and never intend to again after finally realising 2000 years of RCC teachings did not have sufficient truth in them to warrant following then blindly, which several billion folks do. And which I had for the better part of 40 years. And I would not want anyone to follow me blindly either.
hugs
Geoff
Re: 10 commandments for a successful life, according to Dant
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 3:25 am
by Sandy
I would love to read Dante's great work some day. It's on my to do list and may have moved up a bit after reading this short and interesting article.
I haven't any problem with number 10 as it was trusted Teachers who have helped lift me from my own delusions.
I'm talking of course about Christ Michael, Teacher Aaron and Samuel and of course never to be forgotten the dear Secondary Midwayers and Andrea... Trusted Teachers and much loved they are indeed in this family.
(((((((HUGS)))))))
Sandy
Re: 10 commandments for a successful life, according to Dant
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 3:51 pm
by Welles
I'm rather fascinated by the Dante and Beatrice story. George tells us that Beatrice (ABC-3), older sister of Chief Bzutu (ABC-22), was the famous and almost always invisible Midwayer Assistant of Dante Alighieri, author of ‘The Divine Comedy’ and other works. It makes me wonder if Midwayer Beatrice made herself visible on occasion and that was the visible origin of Dante's love. Here is a story of the power of that love.
Dante, Beatrice, & Ponte Vecchio
Dante was standing near the Ponte Vecchio, a bridge that crosses the Arno River in Florence. It was just before 1300… Dante saw Beatrice standing on the bridge. He was a young man, she even younger, and that vision contained the whole of eternity for him.
Dante did not speak to her. He saw her very little. And then Beatrice died, carried off by plague. Dante was stricken with the loss of his vision. She was the intermediary between his soul and Heaven itself.
Six hundred fifty years later, during World War II, the Americans were chasing the German army up the Italian “boot.” The Germans were blowing up everything of aid to the progression of the American army, including the bridges across the Arno River. But no one wanted to blow up the Ponte Vecchio, because Beatrice had stood on it and Dante had written about her. So the German army made radio contact with the Americans and, in plain language, said they would leave the Ponte Vecchio intact if the Americans would promise not to use it. The promise was held. The bridge was not blown up, and not one American soldier or piece of equipment went across it. We’re such hard bitten people that we need hard bitten proof of things, and this is the most hard bitten fact I know to present to you. The bridge was spared, in a modern, ruthless war, because Beatrice had stood upon it.
From Robert Johnson’s "The Figure of Beatrice in Dante’s Divine Comedy"
Welles
Re: 10 commandments for a successful life, according to Dant
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 2:30 am
by Sandy
WOW! I got goose bumps reading that! George got a hug from Beatrice that nearly melted his heart once. Who could blame Dante for falling in love for all time with this most beloved Midwayer, if that were the case.
hugs,
Sandy
Re: 10 commandments for a successful life, according to Dant
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2015 8:22 am
by Geoff
Sandy wrote:
I haven't any problem with number 10 as it was trusted Teachers who have helped lift me from my own delusions.
I'm talking of course about Christ Michael, Teacher Aaron and Samuel and of course never to be forgotten the dear Secondary Midwayers and Andrea... Trusted Teachers and much loved they are indeed in this family.
(((((((HUGS)))))))
Sandy
Dear Sandy,
Yeah but they aren't MORTALS. Its mortals that have half-cocked stories, ego, and power needs. I bet you a pound to a pinch of salt this guy was talking about humans.
hugs
G
Re: 10 commandments for a successful life, according to Dant
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 2:59 am
by Sandy
Hey Geoff,
Yeah but they aren't MORTALS. Its mortals that have half-cocked stories, ego, and power needs. I bet you a pound to a pinch of salt this guy was talking about humans.
Awhh yes, now I see your point...
We mortals are a bit of a handful in this area even at the best of times and circumstances.
Big hugs to you over there in Sydney! Do you think the rain will ever stop?
xxSandy
Re: 10 commandments for a successful life, according to Dant
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 8:23 am
by Geoff
Sandy wrote: Do you think the rain will ever stop?
xxSandy
Doesn't look likely.
Sigh.
Re: 10 commandments for a successful life, according to Dant
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 9:18 am
by Sandy
Sandy wrote:
Do you think the rain will ever stop?
xxSandy
Doesn't look likely.
Sigh.
Its a shame as this week end is the Big yearly air show, Wings over the Illawarra.
I look forward to it every year. (We can view it from our back yard.
) Last year most of the cool older planes couldn't fly due to 100 km winds. And this year...Well looks like deluges. I hope they have a good turnout despite the wet weather. There are lots of on the ground activities and items to view. The organizers work so hard, bless their hearts.
Well, I'm still looking forward to it rain and all. :bana
Have a good week end anyway!
hugs,
Sandy
Re: 10 commandments for a successful life, according to Dant
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 9:25 am
by Sandy
Well it looks like wings over the Wings Over Illawarra has been cancelled due to the dangerous wet fields around the airport.
https://www.wingsoverillawarra.com.au/
Oh I am sooo sad and I feel so bad for the event organizers who have worked so hard to plan an event that is considered the best airshow and exhibit in NSW.
XXSandy
Re: 10 commandments for a successful life, according to Dant
Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 1:04 am
by Geoff
Sorry you will miss your free event!!!
hugs
Geoff