Friday, August 5, 2022

BLAKE'S INFINITY 2

Wikipedia Commons
Book of Ahania
Plate 2

If we see through the limitations of the natural eye we see only the things of the natural or material world. When the expansive world of spiritual reality becomes visible to us, we may Be as God Is - inclusive, infinite.

THERE is NO NATURAL RELIGION, VII, (E 2)
"Application.   He who sees the Infinite in all things sees
God.  He who sees the Ratio only sees himself only.

Therefore God becomes as we are, that we may be as he is"

The material eye is not capable of seeing the immaterial. The finite cannot see the infinite. But the senses can be transformed to perceive the whole in each and every part. Thus is one opened to infinity.   

Marriage of Heaven and Hell, Plate 15, (E 38)
 "Isaiah answer'd. I saw no God. nor heard any, in a finite
organical perception; but my senses discover'd the infinite in
every thing, and as I was then perswaded. & remain confirm'd;
that the voice of honest indignation is the voice of God, I cared
not for consequences but  wrote." 

This passage shows results of beholding the infinite. External objects have changed appearances. The hidden characteristics of things are revealed.  

Marriage of Heaven and Hell, Plate 18, (E 41)
 "By degrees we beheld the infinite Abyss, fiery as the smoke 
of a burning city; beneath us at an immense distance was the sun,
black but shining[;] round it were fiery tracks on which revolv'd
vast spiders, crawling after their prey; which flew or rather
swum in the infinite deep, in the most terrific shapes of animals
sprung from corruption. & the air was full of them, & seemd
composed of them; these are Devils. and are called Powers of the
air, I now asked my companion which was my eternal lot? he said,
between the black & white spiders"

Through seeing infinitely Blake was able to discern his poetic vision.

 Marriage of Heaven and Hell, Plate 25, (E 44) 
 "A Song of Liberty
 8.  On those infinite mountains of light now barr'd out by the
atlantic sea, the new born fire stood before the starry king! 
Visions of Daughters of Albion, Plate 10, (E 55)
"On those vast shady hills between America & Albions shore;       
Now barr'd out by the Atlantic sea: call'd Atlantean hills:
Because from their bright summits you may pass to the Golden world
An ancient palace, archetype of mighty Emperies,
Rears its immortal pinnacles, built in the forest of God" 
Harold Bloom in Blake's Apocalypse, on Page 128 states:

"Desire shall fail, but the gates are consumed, and man is opened to infinity if he but see his own freedom."

 

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