Transparencies of Eternity (Sapientia) - Softcover

Alves, Ruben

Softcover

ISBN 10: 193499619X ISBN 13: 9781934996195

Publisher: Convivium Press, 2010

Synopsis

As a master of the word, Rubem Alves relates events and experiences in life where God, religiosity, love, beauty and the meaning of life are always present. They are his Transparencies of eternity a collection of poetic and spiritual chronicles in which the author draws transparent and multicolor stained glass windows, using as raw material the existence and the multiple faces of God: sometimes God is an artist, who gathers the shards of my stained glass, smashed by random stoning, and places them again in the cathedral s window so that the sun s rays may shine through them again; sometimes God is a great, huge Emptiness that encompasses the whole beauty of the universe. Even more: God is a parent who doesn t know how to add. God is not in the business of accounting God doesn t add up either virtue or sins. This is how love is. It has no why s. It is reasonless. Love for love s sake. No accounting of good or of evil. With such a God the universe becomes more humble. And fears vanish. In this book are collected texts that masterfully comprise both a profound knowledge and the major existential questions of humankind. The texts flow with a simplicity of rare beauty, and the result could not be better: spirituality is presented through a new lens, attracting, instigating and enchanting readers who want to broaden their horizons.

About this title

About the Author

A pedagogue, poet and philosopher for all time, chronicler of everyday life, storyteller, essayist, theologian, academician, author of children books, psychoanalyst, Rubem Alves is one of Brazil s most respected intellectuals. A prolific writer his bibliography to date includes more than fifty titles in different languages with a strong autobiographic bent, Rubem Alves is one of the most brilliant craftsmen of the Portuguese language. In his texts the plasticity of the language achieves varying forms and expressions of rare and always surprising uniqueness. Rubem Alves is passionate about life, a compulsive enjoyer of life. He has not written yet all the books he has in his thoughts. Neither has he felt, loved, and played enough, or answered all the letters and messages of his friends. He has not told his grandchildren all the stories that they might imagine, nor experienced all the absences and saudades. Neither has he beheld all the mysteries of the world and of himself... Many of those who admire him believe that he has a secret pact with eternity. Rubem denies that. Eternity requires patience, and he is inveterately impatient. So much so (he says) that if God had asked for his advice the world would certainly be much better (Ademar Ferreira dos Santos).

From the Back Cover

Winner 2012 Montaigne Medal, Eric Hoffer Award to the most thought-provoking titles each year.

"Transparencies of Eternity, Rubem Alves, Convivium Press - Alves' series of mediations covers a spectrum intellectual and spiritual pursuits that circle around the soul and the meaning of life. Other poets serve as launching points for discussion. The topics include the necessity for an abstract and incomprehensible God, finding the spirit in the simplest elements of earth, the paradox of Hell, the many forms of angels, the poetry of prayer, and others. The essays are at times personal and unique to Alves, but isn't the human experience driven through the prism of the self? In the end, it's not important that Alves answers life's fundamental questions or is even in alignment with your own thinking, only that he inspires you to explore your own existence and connectedness with life". - The U.S. Review of Books

"God is not a concept simply understood by many. 'Transparencies of Eternity' is scholarly prose and poetry from Ruben Alves, as his work studies the concept of God, faith, and the love that goes both ways, presented a study that presents much to ponder for readers and much to understand for those who want to more completely understand their world. 'Transparencies of Eternity' is a strong addition to religious studies collections, highly recommended." - Midwest Book Review

Edition details

• Publisher: Convivium Press
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 193499619X
• ISBN 13: 9781934996195
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 136