"Several years ago I walked into a room of Giacometti figures at the Museum of Modern Art and suddenly understood how to see sculpture. Gaunt and insistent, the figures drew everything unessential from what surrounded them. The negative shape of the space between the figures became a positive space.

That Giacometti’s true subject is the lone figure deep in the vortex only became clear to me, though, in the portrait paintings, such as those of the prostitute Caroline and of the artist’s mother, and this allowed me to see the frail indomitability of the sculpted figures in a new light.

I say “light” here metaphorically, of course.

[…]

There’s a blind spot where the optic nerve meets retina, or where the retina becomes optic nerve, one might say. The blind spot is normal because the retinal surface cannot register light at the spot where it is interrupted by the optic nerve that transports the registered information. A blind spot at the center is what the kabbalists must have had in mind when they said that God had to withdraw to create the world. If there were no blind spot at one’s own center, one would be, if there were a God, God..."

http://happydays.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/11/blind-spot/?ref=opinion

Exploring the Psychology of Religion

Science and spirituality don’t always get along. A few scientists are trying to change that through a new, peer-reviewed journal called “Psychology of Religion and Spirituality.” The journal’s editor, Dr. Ralph Piedmont, sat down with Interfaith Voices to talk about how scientists can explore big issues, including the meaning of life, while retaining scientific integrity.

In the New Testament, Jesus refers to the commandments in several verses, and condenses them into two general commands:

‘“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’

—Matthew 22:34-40

Back to bridging then: British Ambassador to Poland under fire for promoting gay rights. If not for that kind of fire, we would probably not be even reading news like this: Polish Gays Call for Their Rights
 

Yes, you are right Jacek, this is the essence of Christian teaching, and people might as well forget about the rest, all the interpretations of the Bible, laws, and things like that. Unfortunately  many people have forgotten about the main in a rush for a Sunday mass.

Originally written by Jacek K. on June 15, 2009 11:05 AM In the New Testament, Jesus refers to the commandments in several verses, and condenses them into two general commands: ‘“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’ —Matthew 22:34-40

First though: What is love? How can we describe or define love - can we describe or define it?

Is love the eternal truth of mankind? 

Nanna, who isn't just asking a rhetorical question

In this case, Nanna, as a religious teaching, it is respect for all mankind, the highest respect, and treating others as you would like to be treated. You do not have to invite your neighbors for dinner everyday, unless they are hungry.

I would settle for the following minimum: You don't need to "love" the Other. Just live and let live.

Originally written by Jacek K. on June 15, 2009 6:20 AM Just live and let live.

Without being turned into the Gold Fish, which is the hardest part...

So --- we are just going to bypass the "love" part and pray that we won't be turned into Gold Fish?

Is that all there is to it?

Nanna

No. We don't bypass, but the rest is important too; this is the main antagonism and problem - between trying to hold onto your higher beliefs and the reality of life: To be or not to be?

It also involves unlimited forgiveness: without it it would not be different from many other philosophies or teachings.