Chapter 67
The Final Cleansing Waters
“The heathen, Lord! are come!” responsive thus, The trinal now, and now the virgin band Quaternion, their sweet psalmody began, Weeping; and Beatrice listen’d, sad And sighing, to the song’, in such a mood, That Mary, as she stood beside the cross, Was scarce more chang’d. But when they gave her place To speak, then, risen upright on her feet, She, with a colour glowing bright as fire, Did answer: “Yet a little while, and ye Shall see me not; and, my beloved sisters, Again a little while, and ye shall see me.” Before her then she marshall’d all the…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Design Your Own Renewal Process
Think about an area of your life where you want to make a fresh start. Following Dante's pattern, identify what harsh truths you need to face first, then design your own 'two rivers' process - what do you need to let go of, and what positive memories or skills do you want to carry forward?
Consider:
- •Consider why facing uncomfortable truths might be necessary before real change can happen
- •Think about what specific behaviors, grudges, or limiting beliefs you'd want to 'forget'
- •Identify which of your strengths and positive experiences you'd want to remember and build on
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone gave you harsh but necessary feedback. How did you initially react, and what would you do differently now knowing that difficult truths often precede breakthroughs?
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