Dante's Paradiso

A conversation about the main topics and purpose of the Third Sphere in Dante's Paradiso - the Sphere of Venus. We'll meet the souls of Carlo Martello, Cunizza, and Bishop Folchetto, and explore the themes of mercy, forgiveness, love, spiritual growth, and the transition out of the earthly shadow into the higher Divine realms from the Sun and beyond.We'll also discuss different forms of love, and how self-management of your soul can shape reality, your relationsships, and transform your perception of the world.Hosts are Richard Emerson, and English Professor Robert-Louis Abrahamson.Professor Abrahamson also has podcast with three seasons on Dante here: https://eveningunderlamplight.substack.comMusic: "Gregorian Chants" by Kevin MacLeod, and "Miserere Mei" by Gregorio Allegri.

A Conversation about the Sphere of Mercury in Paradiso, and how the Transcendent and Divine Truth is shining through the bigger scales of Empires, Civilizations and Humanity at large.One of the main arguments in the Second Sphere is that on a cosmic scale, Humanity is a young species with a very recently emerged self-awareness, moral capacity, and Free Will. And over the longer time spans, we need to align both spiritually and with our Institutions and Civilizations with the Transcendent Good and Truth, argues Beatrice.Hosts are Richard Emerson and English Professor Robert-Louis Abrahamson.Professor Abrahamson also has podcast with three seasons on Dante here:https://eveningunderlamplight.substack.com/Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod.This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

A Conversation about the Sphere of the Moon in Paradiso, with some of the main themes and the idea of transformation of perspective and experience of Being. With English Professor and Podcaster about Dante, Robert-Louis Abrahamson.Robert-Louis Abrahamson is Emeritus Professor in English for the European Division of the University of Maryland, and he studied at Amherst College, University of Edinburgh and Rutgers University. Born in Philadelphia, he later moved to England in the 1980s and currently lives in the market town of Oundle, not too far from Cambridge, where he is the chairman of the Cambridge Dickens Fellowship.He also has a wonderful series on Dante's Inferno, Purgatory and Paradiso on his "Evening under Lamplight” Podcast, which is highly recommended, and a regular radio show currently on Cambridge 105 Radio.His podcast with three seasons on Dante is here:https://eveningunderlamplight.substack.comMusic: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod.This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

When the Pilgrim talks with Carlo Martello in the Sphere of Venus, they quickly move from purpose vs. randomness in the Universe, to the shaping forces that must originate in G-d. And Dante connects this to something as simple as why offspring are often different from their parents. The idea of Telos is working on all scales.©2023 Richard EmersonMusic: "Miserere Mei" by Gregorio Allegri.

In the Sphere of Venus, Carlo Martello explains to the Pilgrim that all material things have both a nature and a purpose, which is reflected through the orderliness of the Cosmos. The alternative would be a collapsing reality, lying in ruins.©2023 Richard EmersonMusic: "Miserere Mei" by Gregorio Allegri.

The third sphere in Paradiso, the Sphere of Venus, moves beyond the human scale and starts blending the Angelic with the Blessed Souls. And the Pilgrim expands his Spiritual experience from himself and G-d as in the Moon, to now also including other souls.©2023 Richard EmersonMusic: "Miserere Mei" by Gregorio Allegri.

On a cosmic scale, Humanity is a young species with a very recently emerged self-awareness, moral capacity, and Free Will. And over the longer time spans, we need to align both spiritually and with our Institutions and Civilizations, with the Transcendent Good and Truth, argues Beatrice.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

The material world has two parts according to Dante; an immaterial “potential matter” and a shaping/organizing principle of the spiritual realms, which are then unified to create “physical matter”.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

To fully understand the idea of Redemption and the Crucifixion, Beatrice expands the context for Humanity and explains how it is a part of something much bigger, in the same way our individual soul is both autonomous, and part of something bigger at the same time.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

After increasing Virtue in the world from the time of Aeneas, the Roman Eagle further brought the Redemption through first establishing an Empire with Caesar, and then given the Glory of being the “hand” for the Crucifixion.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

In Dante’s times the Roman Civilization was seen as the gradual unfolding of Virtue and Divine Wisdom, first through Emperor Caesar and shortly after, with the emergence of Christendom.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

The Imperial Eagle greatly improved Law, Reason, Justice, Honor and Civic Duty, and connected the Empire to the Heavens, per Emperor Justinian in Canto VI.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

The souls on Mercury are already “concealed” in their own radiant light, from more blessedness and a more direct opening to Divine Wisdom and Insight.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

The first transition to a new sphere is also an internal transformation which changes the Pilgrim’s interior, and his spiritual attunement and outlook. Thousands of loving spirits are approaching him.Music: “Gregorian Chants”, by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

The Moon reshapes the basic foundations of Being, the Soul and the Cosmos, to prepare for the further Ascent. It is also infused and permeated with Beauty and Wisdom.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

Once apprehended, The Divine Light will only shine more strongly and through more parts of your life, and spark the Divine Love as well.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

The Transcendent and Spiritual has to be the overall picture and foundation, to create a balanced, True and harmonious Cosmology, is Dante’s claim in Canto IV.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

We need to Act in accordance with our Spiritual Values and Faith, to unlock the full Blessings of the Divine Grace and Light.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

To unlock the secrets and receive a higher blessing from the Heavens, strong commitment and strong Faith is needed.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

Dante uses the example of Plato’s doctrine on the souls to show how the Catholic Cosmology gives us a bigger picture than the Greek, and includes the Source of all Being.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

In a meta-comment to the Paradiso and to Scripture itself, Dante explains why Allegory is a necessary tool for making humans “see” again, through Spiritual and Mystical Wisdom.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

Beatrice is now compared to the Prophet Daniel, which suggests how the spiritual life can sometimes resolve deeper dilemmas in your mind.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

As the first soul in Paradiso, Piccarda shows us love, Divine Wisdom, and an aspiration for seeing the bigger picture.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

Rather than being unapproachable higher spirits, the souls of Paradiso are warm, loving and helpful.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

With a new sense of the nature of the Soul, the Pilgrim now encounters spirits at a much higher level than the earlier “shades”. Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

Your soul is a part of the Spiritual Realm, similar to how we are a part of Nature.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

As the Pilgrim understands the unity of the spiritual and material, he also realizes that the Soul is made of a Divine Substance.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

The first two Cantos fundamentally change the micro- and macrocosmos of the Pilgrim.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

A dramatic shift of Perspective opens up an abundance of Wisdom and Beauty.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

Quick guide on Dante vs. the Pilgrim, and helpful prerequisites.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com

A journey in Dante’s Paradiso - from the original Italian version.Music: "Gregorian Chants", by Kevin MacLeod. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dantesparadiso.substack.com