Ancient of Days

This dramatic image by William Blake both is, and is not, a helpful image of God. What I find helpful is the presentation of light revealed from darkness. For me this is a central idea for human spirituality. "Light" is our knowledge, our knowledge of God, the good qualities of being human. What I also …

What are you searching for?

“The future is by definition the unsayable and the uncontrollable…We search for predictability, explanation and order to give ourselves some sense of peace and control … True spirituality is not a search for perfection or control … The great discovery is always that what we are searching for has already been given.” The Naked Now, Richard …

ADVENT ART 5. GOD WAS HERE

What connection do you feel with heaven? The story of Jacob's dream of the “stairway to heaven” is magical. Perhaps the best moment is this: “God was in this place and I knew it not.” Isn’t that true all the time? We may be doing the most ordinary, apparently “unspiritual” thing like sleeping – as …

Advent Art (1) – Light From Darkness

The light shines in the darkness. William Blake, who created the image above, was a rebel, and he sometimes portrays other people’s images of God as repressive and opposed to human freedom. In his image, Blake’s God has both the wisdom of age and the energy of youth. He is caught up in the wild energies of creation and …

At this Advent

 ~ At this advent And in this darkness ~ That there should be A separation ~  Of light From all that is not good ~  And a new calling To journey ~  On the way Of right.  ~  'The Ancient of Days', William Blake

The Tyger

Why is this poem so memorable? Is it the images that seem to be both concrete and abstract at the same time ("forest of the night", "immortal hand")? Is it that pounding rhythm? Is it the incessant questioning of William Blake, the poet and artist, about creation and life itself? Tyger Tyger, burning bright,In the …

Inspiring Paintings: L’Allegro and Il Penseroso

I am continuing to post some further pieces inspired by the work of William Blake... . The joyful And the thoughtful . The spiritual Life of the soul . And each Is a blessing . Fruitful In creation’s goal. . The full title of this painting by William Blake is "Illustrations to Milton's L'Allegro and …

All is Infinite

. All Is infinite . And if our eyes Were cleansed . We would see The eternal glory. . After William Blake: “If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite.”

The Songs of Innocence

The poet and artist William Blake died on 12th August, 1827.  This was inspired by the title of one of his poetry collections, 'Songs of Innocence'. . We sang The songs of innocence . Not knowing The fragility of joy . Or the layers Of experience . That transform All happiness . All significance To …

A Year of Inspirers (12) – St. Bonaventure

You may or may not know this beautiful painting by William Blake: ...or this older icon... They both take up a very ancient idea that goes back over thousands of years. “He saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on …