Earlier on this trip I climbed up The Monument that was built to commemorate the Great Fire. I was very skeptic about climbing up The Monument, just as Charles was very skeptic about his religious beliefs. The Monument leads up 311 winding steps. Your reward is the view of London and a certificate for making it to the top. Even though I was skeptic I am so glad I participated.
This weekend while in Paris I had the chance to not only visit but also to attend mass at the Notre Dame. After seeing the beauty and reverence it is hard to not believe in faith. At the end of our book this week Charles sees the importance of both faith and the Church, something he has struggled with throughout his life.
Another place we had the chance to visit this week was Oxford. While we were there we saw the room that made up the great hall in the Harry Potter movies; it was pure magic. The room makes you want to be a believer.
While visiting Hampton Court Palace we saw many fountains, similar to the fountain in our book, on the grounds representing the wealth that the previous owners had. Each fountain is representing something unique and different about the person who put it on the grounds.
Our last day of class this week we walked from the Kenwood House to Hampstead Heath. It was amazing to walk through open fields that have been virtually untouched, it really made you want to think about your beliefs. I can see now how it was and still is easy to get lost in your thoughts and beliefs during Charles time.
Your opening comment is very true. I too believe that coming of age as believer or skeptic is a constant part of our lives and the we are always struggling to figure this out.
ReplyDeleteAs I was walking through the paths to Hampstead Heath I could also understand how people would get lost in their thoughts in places like that. I would be afraid that I would get lost all the time!
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy to come of age as a believer - or as a skeptic. It takes a lot of time, a lot of thought, a lot of consideration. It's an ongoing process, for sure.
ReplyDeleteI like that you said that each fountain has a story behind it. And it's so true how you can get lost in multiple ways when walking through nature.
ReplyDeleteYour closing image evokes, more than anything else, the possibilities that our readings and discussions reveal: that believing or doubting can take one in uncharted or unknown territory.
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