Beauty

Tears of wonder are infused with divine power

March 7th 2021
When people are distressed, or have been insulted or offended, they find it normal to be upset and even to cry. But when they experience true beauty, a painting, music, a poem, or a landscape, convention forbids them to show their emotions; they would be ashamed to shed a tear. Well, I say that it should be the other way around – we should be stoic and unmoved in the face of sorrow or offence, but capable of showing emotion and shedding tears in the presence of beauty. For the tears prompted by beauty are a blessed dew, a shower from heaven, magnificent currents that purify you and water the flowers of your inner garden. Tears of disappointment and bitterness may bring you some relief, but no more than that. Tears of wonder, however, are infused with divine power.