The Ascent of Mount Carmel
CRUMBS
All creatures are like crumbs that have fallen from God's table
All creatures are like crumbs that have fallen from God's table
MOTH
A moth is not helped much by its eyes because, blinded in its desire for the beauty of light, it will fly directly into a bonfire.
A moth is not helped much by its eyes because, blinded in its desire for the beauty of light, it will fly directly into a bonfire.
FISH
Those who feed on their appetites are like a fish dazzled by a light that is so darkens it that the fisherman's snares cannot be seen.
Those who feed on their appetites are like a fish dazzled by a light that is so darkens it that the fisherman's snares cannot be seen.
CATARACT
The appetites are like a cataract on the eye or specks of dust in it; until removed they obstruct vision.
The appetites are like a cataract on the eye or specks of dust in it; until removed they obstruct vision.
BIRD
It makes little difference whether a birfd is tied by a thin thread or by a cord; that is, it will be impeded from flying as long as it does not break the thread. Admittedly the thread is easier to break, but no matter how easily it may be done, the bird will not fly away without first doing so.
It makes little difference whether a birfd is tied by a thin thread or by a cord; that is, it will be impeded from flying as long as it does not break the thread. Admittedly the thread is easier to break, but no matter how easily it may be done, the bird will not fly away without first doing so.
REMORA
An individual's appetite and attachments resemble the remora, which, if successful in clinging to the ship, will hold it back and prevent it from reaching port, or even from sailing, even though this fish is exceptionally small.
An individual's appetite and attachments resemble the remora, which, if successful in clinging to the ship, will hold it back and prevent it from reaching port, or even from sailing, even though this fish is exceptionally small.
WINDOW
A ray of sunlight on a smudgy window is unable to illumine that window completely and transform it into its own light. It could do this if the window were cleansed and polished. The less the film and stain ae wiped away, the less the window will be illumined and the cheaner the window is, the brigher wil be its illlumination. .... If the window is totally clean and pure, the sunlight will so transform and illumine it that to all appearances the window will be identical with the ray of sunlight and shine just as the suns ray.
A ray of sunlight on a smudgy window is unable to illumine that window completely and transform it into its own light. It could do this if the window were cleansed and polished. The less the film and stain ae wiped away, the less the window will be illumined and the cheaner the window is, the brigher wil be its illlumination. .... If the window is totally clean and pure, the sunlight will so transform and illumine it that to all appearances the window will be identical with the ray of sunlight and shine just as the suns ray.
BAT
Aristotle teaches that just as the sun is total darkness to the eyes fo a bat, so the brightest light in God is total darkness to our intellect.
Aristotle teaches that just as the sun is total darkness to the eyes fo a bat, so the brightest light in God is total darkness to our intellect.
MEDDLER
The devil can be a great meddler ....
The devil can be a great meddler ....
What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't want.
The Dark Night
OWL
The brighter the light, the more the owl is blinded; and the more one looks at the brilliant sun, the more the sun darknens the faculty of sight, deprives and overwhelms it in its weakness.
FIRE AND WOOD
Fire, when applied to wood, first dehumidifies it, dispelling all moisture and making it give off any water it contains. Then it gradually turns the wood black, makes it dark and ugly, and even causes it to emit a bad odor. By drying out the wood, the fire brings to light and expels all those ugly and dark accidents that are contrary to fire. Finally, by heating and enkindling it from without, the fire transforms the wood into itself and makes it as beautiful as it is itself. Once transformed, the wood no longer has any activity or passivity of its own, except for its weight and its quantity that is denser than the fire. It possesses the properties and performs the actions of fire: It is dry and it dires; it is hot and it gives off heat; it is brilliant and it illumines; it is also much ligher in weight than before. It is the fire that produces all these properties in the wood.
ONE WHO GOES OUT AT NIGHT
We have the metaphor of one who, in order to execute a plan better and without hindrance, goes out at night, in darkness, when everybody in the house is sleeping.
The Spiritual Canticle
STAG
A stag wounded by a poison arrow neither rests nor remains calm, but searches everywhere for remedies, plunging now into these waters, now into those, and the effect of the poison arrow ever increases in all circumstances and with all remedies taken until finally it siezes upon the heart and the stag dies.
DIVINE WHISTLING
Elijah at the mouth of the cave .. saw God in the cave, 1 Kings 19:11-13, .... the whistling of a gentle breeze .... the divine whistling
SPARROW
The sparrow ordinarily perches on the highest things ... it always turns its beak toward the wind .... it is usually alone and allows no other bird close to it, when another perches nearby, it flies away. ... it sings very sweetly .... it possesses no definite color.
... human life was like a sparrow that flies through a lighted hall, in one door and out the other. The Venerable Bede in Iris Murdoch, A Fairly Honourable Defeat
FOX
As foxes pretend to be asleep when they are out to catch their prey, so all these appetites and sensory powers are tranquil and asleep until these flowers of virtue rise and blossom in the soul in an exercise of love.
PINE CONE
As a pine cone is something sturdy with many pieces, or pine kernels, firmily fastened together, so this cone or bouquet of virtues that the soul arranges for her Beloved forms one pefect whole embodying in itself many perfect and strong virtues and very rich gifts.
NORTH AND SOUTH WIND
The north wind is very cold; it dries up and withers the flowers and plants, or at least makes them shrink .... The south wind is a delightful breeze; it causes rain, makes herbs and plants germinate, opens flowers, and spreads their fragrance.
SWIFT WINGED BIRDS
He calls the wanderings of the imagination "swift-winged birds' for these digressions are quick and restless in flying from one place to another.
NIGHTINGALE
The song of the nightingale begins its song in the spring once the winters cold, rain, and changes have passed, and provides melody for the ear and refreshment for the spirit.
The Living Flame of Love.
SOUND PALATE
Those who do not have a sound palate, but seek other tastes, cannot taste the spirit and life of God's words, his words, rather, are distasteful to them.
OWL
The brighter the light, the more the owl is blinded; and the more one looks at the brilliant sun, the more the sun darknens the faculty of sight, deprives and overwhelms it in its weakness.
FIRE AND WOOD
Fire, when applied to wood, first dehumidifies it, dispelling all moisture and making it give off any water it contains. Then it gradually turns the wood black, makes it dark and ugly, and even causes it to emit a bad odor. By drying out the wood, the fire brings to light and expels all those ugly and dark accidents that are contrary to fire. Finally, by heating and enkindling it from without, the fire transforms the wood into itself and makes it as beautiful as it is itself. Once transformed, the wood no longer has any activity or passivity of its own, except for its weight and its quantity that is denser than the fire. It possesses the properties and performs the actions of fire: It is dry and it dires; it is hot and it gives off heat; it is brilliant and it illumines; it is also much ligher in weight than before. It is the fire that produces all these properties in the wood.
ONE WHO GOES OUT AT NIGHT
We have the metaphor of one who, in order to execute a plan better and without hindrance, goes out at night, in darkness, when everybody in the house is sleeping.
The Spiritual Canticle
STAG
A stag wounded by a poison arrow neither rests nor remains calm, but searches everywhere for remedies, plunging now into these waters, now into those, and the effect of the poison arrow ever increases in all circumstances and with all remedies taken until finally it siezes upon the heart and the stag dies.
DIVINE WHISTLING
Elijah at the mouth of the cave .. saw God in the cave, 1 Kings 19:11-13, .... the whistling of a gentle breeze .... the divine whistling
SPARROW
The sparrow ordinarily perches on the highest things ... it always turns its beak toward the wind .... it is usually alone and allows no other bird close to it, when another perches nearby, it flies away. ... it sings very sweetly .... it possesses no definite color.
... human life was like a sparrow that flies through a lighted hall, in one door and out the other. The Venerable Bede in Iris Murdoch, A Fairly Honourable Defeat
FOX
As foxes pretend to be asleep when they are out to catch their prey, so all these appetites and sensory powers are tranquil and asleep until these flowers of virtue rise and blossom in the soul in an exercise of love.
PINE CONE
As a pine cone is something sturdy with many pieces, or pine kernels, firmily fastened together, so this cone or bouquet of virtues that the soul arranges for her Beloved forms one pefect whole embodying in itself many perfect and strong virtues and very rich gifts.
NORTH AND SOUTH WIND
The north wind is very cold; it dries up and withers the flowers and plants, or at least makes them shrink .... The south wind is a delightful breeze; it causes rain, makes herbs and plants germinate, opens flowers, and spreads their fragrance.
SWIFT WINGED BIRDS
He calls the wanderings of the imagination "swift-winged birds' for these digressions are quick and restless in flying from one place to another.
NIGHTINGALE
The song of the nightingale begins its song in the spring once the winters cold, rain, and changes have passed, and provides melody for the ear and refreshment for the spirit.
The Living Flame of Love.
SOUND PALATE
Those who do not have a sound palate, but seek other tastes, cannot taste the spirit and life of God's words, his words, rather, are distasteful to them.
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