“There is beauty before me, there is beauty behind me. There is beauty to my left, there is beauty to my right. There is beauty above me, there is beauty below me. There is beauty around me, there is beauty within me. One that forever lives the trail of harmony and greatness.”
― A Navajo Way
1 Why Do All World Traditions Place Beauty at the Pinnacle?
Every world tradition, from the East to the West, places beauty at the pinnacle of human experience. But why is this so?
Beauty transcends the mundane, offering a glimpse into the divine. It represents harmony, order, and the sublime—qualities that resonate deeply within the human spirit. Beauty evokes a sense of wonder and connection, reminding us of something greater than ourselves. It is a universal language that speaks to the soul, bridging gaps between cultures and epochs.
Furthermore, beauty embodies ideals and virtues, it inspires a sense of purpose. By celebrating beauty, traditions underscore the importance of striving for excellence and recognizing the intrinsic value in the world around us.
In essence, beauty is not merely a superficial trait but a profound principle that encapsulates the essence of life and the divine.
2 What is beauty?
Beauty, at its core, is the manifestation of Infinity within the realm of finitude. It transcends mere aesthetics and touches upon the divine, making it a profound concept that elicits not just admiration but reverence. The antithesis of beauty is not ugliness, but indifference—a denial of the divine essence that beauty represents. In this context, an overemphasis on superficial aspects detracts from the appreciation of true, natural beauty.
Beauty is synonymous with order, as Dionysus famously noted. However, this order is perceived intellectually rather than empirically. Beauty is expressed symbolically, and the finest works of art, music, literature, and even fashion do not rely on overt displays of color, shape, or material. Instead, they carry a subtle, timeless quality—a "perfume of eternity"—that signifies an imprint of the Absolute.
Take, for instance, the timeless creations of Ralph Lauren. These pieces do not shout their beauty through loud patterns or extravagant designs. Instead, they embody an elegance and sophistication that resonates on a deeper, spiritual level. This kind of beauty is not merely the result of artistic inspiration; it is intertwined with virtue. The artist's commitment to excellence, integrity, and authenticity shines through in their work, making beauty and virtue inherently interdependent.
In essence, true beauty is a reflection of the divine order, captured in a way that transcends time and speaks to the eternal. It is a harmonious blend of intellectual perception and symbolic expression, creating a lasting impact that goes beyond the superficial to touch the very soul.
The fascinating aspect of beauty is that we recognize it because it carries within itself the primordial beauty that resides within us. Muhammad encapsulated this idea simply: "God is beautiful, and He loves beauty." This intrinsic recognition underscores the idea that beauty is not just observed but felt, resonating with the inherent sense of the divine within each of us.
Thus, the essence of beauty lies in its ability to reflect the infinite within the finite, to evoke the Divine, and to resonate with the eternal truths that lie within us all.
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