Monday

Five Senses

I wasn't sure how many groups of five I could come up with, but the five senses was an easy one. Nor is it too hard to persuade people that sight is truly a wondrous thing.

At some point nearly every day I sit and look out at my garden. Especially on those frequent days when spring feels more like winter, I am glad I can enjoy it from the warmth of the central heating, and my eyes bring the beauty of the garden right into my room.

Flowers or stars, the eyes reach out to what is far away, but what they let in has access direct to the heart, reaching in to our most primal responses. That's the power of the image. Artist's and advertisers have long known all about it. An image may trigger reactions beyond our control, and not always welcome, but you can't get through life with your eyes closed.

The Qur'an tells us to "look" for the Signs of God in the variety and harmony of God's Creation, in the Sun, Moon & Stars, the turning of the winds, and the rain bringing life to a dead land. We have to "look", because the intellect can't do it justice. You must open your eyes, the gateway to your soul, and let your heart be filled with wonder.