Dante

This is not of much substance, and I don't have much time, but I thought I would quickly say:

I love reading Dante.

There is so much here. So much of what western humanity has done has been inspired by these pages that we are now blessed to read. I love that. I get the feeling that I am beginning to particiapte in humanity in a greater way. In reading the Comedy, we are also joining ourselves to the history that surrounds this text, and all of the works that have been built on its foundation.

If we are less real because when part of our existence becomes past "past" then it is a great thing to connect to the epochal influences of history. We increase our connection to humanity by relating closely to the works of the past. The amazing thing about the Comedy is the way it has influenced thought continually since it was written. Because of this, when we read Dante, we not only interact with the mind of one man, but all the minds that have touched this book since.

We are studying great things.