Idolizing Nature (Cont.)

I have more to add to my last post...

Being in the world is also to recognize that a transformation of vision goes hand in hand with transformation of life (72).

ICONS: we can interact with them in more than a visual way. The word itself can be iconic... there is depth and transcendence to them as well.

Returning to Levinas' words... that we are prone to turn "the other" into "the same."

self - other/alterity

(This relates to sublimity, or when we become overwhelmed with the "otherness" in something or someone.)

William Blake says the whole creation can be iconic because of this. Since, icons are instruments that help you get to "the other," or "the sublime."

So, an idol -> brings us to ourselves                an idol -> brings us out of ourselves.

On another note, we are bored because we are failing to be fully present. When we are bored we are wanting to be somewhere else...

So, ICON is a means of prayer. This is where we must turn to iconographic tradition.

This icon points to archetype without being that archetype. (See pg. 81 on God's essence vs. God's energies.) "The divine energies are within everything and outside everything." (Lossky) This is christological, and particularly in Colossians 1:15-17 Jesus is that image [icon] of the invisible God.

Do you see the connection of transformation of life and following Jesus in relation to icon?