Symeon the New Theologian on the boundless sea of the glory of God

Image: Sunrise, Topsail Island, North Carolina, July 2020

2.11 When a man stands on the seashore he can see the endless waves of the ocean, but he can appreciate only a fraction of their whole extent. It is the same when a man has been counted worthy to gaze through contemplation on the boundless sea of the glory of God and to perceive him with his mind. He does not then see him as great as he is, but sees him only as great as is possible for the inner eyes of the soul that sees him.

2.12 It is like a man standing by the sea. If he is not content just to look, he can go into the waters as deeply as he wants. And if spiritual persons want it, they too can enter into participation with the light of God by means of contemplation, to the extent that they are inspired by desire and knowledge.

From Paul McGuckin, trans., Symeon the New Theologian, The Practical and Theological Chapters (Cistercian Publications, 1982): 65-66.

JTR