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Day: 9 April 2011

Edward Lear – Masada on the Dead Sea

Edward Lear was not only the author of the famous limericks, but was also a keen traveller and a gifted painter. As I was trying to find any online editions of his works on Italy (as a matter of fact, Lear is buried in San Remo in Italy), I instead came across this glorious, glowing painting of Masada that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the name of the site in the South District of Israel where palaces and fortifications used to be located in the era B.C. The site was located on the top of an isolated a rock plateau, on the eastern edge of the Judaen Desert, overlooking the Dead Sea. This in fact is the angle from which Lear painted Masada: the sea is seen in the background, separating the Masada from another mountain chain.

 

Quotes: Meister Eckhart on Love

It is a hard thing to practise this universal love, and to love our neighbours as ourselves, as our Lord commanded us. But if you will understand it rightly, there is a greater reward attached to this command, than to any other. The commandment seems hard, but the reward is precious indeed.

He who has found this way of love, seeketh no other. He who turns on this pivot is in such wise a prisoner that his foot and hand and mouth and eyes and heart, and all his human faculties, belong to God. And, therefore, thou canst overcome thy flesh in no better way, so that it may not shame thee, than by love. This is why it is written, Love is as strong as death, as hard as hell. Death separates the soul from the body, but love separates all things from the soul. She suffers nought to come near her, that is not God nor God-like. Happy is he who is thus imprisoned; the more thou art a prisoner, the more wilt thou be freed. That we may be so imprisoned, and so freed, may He help us, Who Himself is Love.

Meister Eckhart, a medieval German theologian, philosopher, and mystic.

Website focusing on Meister Eckhart’s life, work, texts, bibliography – German

Website containing Meister Eckhart’s work – English

Pianomen: Elton John and Billy Joel

On both sides of the Atlantic ocean we have two amazing performers and pop-pianists: Billy Joel and Elton John. I’ve posted songs by both of them in the past, but little did I know that they once performed a duet of Joel’s famous The Pianoman. So, in the video you will see both legendary artists sharing the passion for music, song, and performance.

error: Sorry, no copying !!