Author Archives: Richard

The Force that descends upon the Distortions

Posted on July 13, 2026 by Richard

As the process of purgation is slowly approaching, and the Pilgrim is unsure of whether he is mistaken about what he sees, Virgil as rationality starts speaking: Ed elli a me: «La grave condizione  di lor tormento a terra li … Continue reading →

Posted in Methodology, Purgatory | 4 Comments

The Nature of the Process Approaching You

Posted on July 12, 2026 by Richard

Where intuition and rational analysis concur. After delighting in the three spiritual images, and finding the rational argument to continue the process, the Pilgrim begins to speak to Virgil. Io cominciai: «Maestro, quel ch’io veggio muovere a noi, non mi … Continue reading →

Posted in Methodology, Purgatory | 6 Comments

The Argument for Purgation

Posted on July 12, 2026 by Richard

After the new insights of the spirtual life, and also how to combine this with continuously new insights – Dante gives us a direct address and the reasons why one should continue. The argument is very simple: do not focus … Continue reading →

Posted in Purgatory | 4 Comments

Applying the Anagogical Interpretation Method

Posted on July 12, 2026 by Richard

We will now try to apply and double check our last reading with the new anagogical method and the four tools of discernment. The passage is the following: «Ecco di qua, ma fanno i passi radi», mormorava il poeta, «molte … Continue reading →

Posted in Methodology | 4 Comments

Keeping the Images – and – Taking in More

Posted on July 11, 2026 by Richard

After the delighting in the three images and overall foundation of the spiritual life, one might face the internal decision: now what? Move on to the next thing, or, just dwell and love the beauty of these three spiritual images … Continue reading →

Posted in Discernment, Purgatory | 4 Comments

Building a Method for Interpretation of the Anagogical Meaning in Dante’s Divine Comedy

Posted on July 10, 2026 by Richard

Long time readers will know well how a recurring argument for our decade long work on Dante’s Comedy is the lack of the “fourth meaning” in Dante Scholarship in the last 200 years, or likely much longer. Dante writes at … Continue reading →

Posted in Methodology | 6 Comments

The opening of Purgatorio X

Posted on July 10, 2026 by Richard

Three Images for Life. The three carvings in Purgatory 10 are a unique and lingering passage, with three artworks that simply sums up the Spiritual Life in its growth and presence. There are dramatic scenes and passages about rebirthing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Purgatory | 4 Comments

A Moment of Bliss

Posted on July 10, 2026 by Richard

After the experience and understanding of the three marble carvings in Purgatory X  have started to sink in, the Pilgrim (here almost as conscious afterthought), looks at them and delights in their beauty. Mentr’io mi dilettava di guardare l’imagini di … Continue reading →

Posted in Purgatory | 6 Comments

New for us, a Timeless Process

Posted on July 9, 2026 by Richard

After the first 93 lines of Purgatory X, Dante gives us a brief reflection of how this process of the three carvings is only discovered as “new” to us, because we have had been away from it. Colui che mai … Continue reading →

Posted in Purgatory | 6 Comments

From Widow to Gregory Internally

Posted on July 7, 2026 by Richard

Today’s reflection is the first one without moving further into the poem. This is more the overall view of what Dante is doing in the first half of Canto X in Purgatorio – read from two different stages of spiritual … Continue reading →

Posted in Purgatory, Reflections | 8 Comments