.He was there alone with himself, collected, tranquil, adoring, comparing the serenity of his heart with the serenity of the skies, moved in the darkness by the visible splendors of the constellations, and the invisible splendor of God, opening his soul to the thoughts which fall from the Unknown.
In such moments, offering up his heart at the hour when the flowers of night inhale their perfume, lighted like a lamp in the center of the starry night, expanding his soul in ecstasy in the midst of the universal radiance of creation, he could not himself perhaps have told what was passing in his own mind; he felt something depart from him, and something descend upon him, mysterious interchanges of the depths of the soul with the depths of the universe.
―Victor Hugo,
Les Misérables
.
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ReplyDeletebeautiful
ReplyDeleteThis passage beautifully evokes a sense of deep introspection and connection to both the universe and something greater than oneself. The imagery of the tranquil figure, "adoring" and "comparing the serenity of his heart with the serenity of the skies," creates such a vivid and peaceful scene. It’s as though the individual is fully immersed in the moment, absorbing the splendor of the stars and feeling the presence of the divine, all while being in a state of ecstasy and deep reflection.
ReplyDeleteThe mention of "mysterious interchanges of the depths of the soul with the depths of the universe" speaks to the profound mystery of our existence and the interconnectedness between our inner selves and the vast cosmos. It suggests a sense of surrender, of being open to the unknown, and the subtle transformations that occur when we allow ourselves to be fully present in such awe-inspiring moments.
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