The Shroud is a singular enigma. How is it that an image that barely rests on the surface of the top fibers on the cloth — an image that does not even seep all the way into the actual threads — can contain such density of information and impact?
a paranormal panorama
dimensions undefined
particle subtlety ascension
density unwinds
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Chapter 22: Expectations and Reactions
I went to Turin with expectations about what I would feel and experience in the presence of the Shroud. I expected strong emotional reactions from myself — things like awe, sadness, maybe even guilt at the suffering Christ endured.
What I experienced in myself was so above and beyond my expectations. Rather than strong visceral emotional reactions, I experienced a level of reverence that transcended and exceeded my normal thoughts and emotions.
I was privileged to spend a total of 20 hours in the presence of the Shroud. I had 5 close up visits (that lasted just minutes each) and then the rest of my time I spent sitting in the Chapel, viewing it from a distance. I took copious notes while sitting in the Chapel. I studied the image mostly using the naked eye, but also with binoculars and 3D glasses.
I saw the Shroud when the Chapel was dark and also during Mass when the Chapel lights were on (both in the early morning and at night). I saw it while sitting, kneeling, and standing. I observed it with my head in both vertical and horizontal relationship to the image (which hangs horizontally). I viewed it from a staggered distances. I was in its presence at all hours, from very early in the morning, at various times during the day, evening, and late at night.
Normally when people see something incredible they use the phrase “It is beyond words” to describe it. The Shroud is the opposite; it deserves and demands an infinity of words. The experience is vast and indelible. Those 20 hours alone have given me years worth of chapters of blogging material. This lasting depth of subtlety and nuance in my observations arrived unexpected, and for it I am infinitely grateful.
I also did not expect to notice how starkly simplistic and simultaneously other worldly the Shroud is, especially when it stands in comparison to all the “bling” associated with other religious icons, paintings, relics, sculptures, vestments, ritual paraphernalia, churches, cathedrals, and so forth.
I literally have never seen anything like it — no other image or painting, or photograph or stain or scorch mark or anything comes even close to being comparable. That in and of itself is reason to marvel.
Sure, the Shroud of Turin is reminiscent of things I have seen before, such as ancient cave paintings, complex geometric designs that trick the eye, alien sci fi imagery, MRI's or X-rays, and Rorschach tests...but none of these come close to the density and depth of information or the subtlety and reach of the Shroud.
I also had expectations in terms of what I would see in other visitors' reactions. I thought I might see people crawling towards it on their knees like pilgrims do at Lourdes. I expected to see emotional breakdowns, sobbing, fainting and possible hysteria or religious fervor.
A common silence and atmosphere of serenity and reverence lingered in the Chapel. In addition, the level of focus and fixation on the image was so severe that one man tripped and fell into the Chapel pews, knocking one over. Another man was so fixated while walking in the back of the Chapel that he tripped and fell to the ground, hitting his head on the marble column.
There were some tears and many gasps of disbelief from the wound marks, but it was all very quiet and contained...all very in keeping with the serenity of the face of the man of the Shroud.
But mostly what I saw from others was the simple act of making the sign of the cross.
What I experienced in myself was so above and beyond my expectations. Rather than strong visceral emotional reactions, I experienced a level of reverence that transcended and exceeded my normal thoughts and emotions.
I was privileged to spend a total of 20 hours in the presence of the Shroud. I had 5 close up visits (that lasted just minutes each) and then the rest of my time I spent sitting in the Chapel, viewing it from a distance. I took copious notes while sitting in the Chapel. I studied the image mostly using the naked eye, but also with binoculars and 3D glasses.
I saw the Shroud when the Chapel was dark and also during Mass when the Chapel lights were on (both in the early morning and at night). I saw it while sitting, kneeling, and standing. I observed it with my head in both vertical and horizontal relationship to the image (which hangs horizontally). I viewed it from a staggered distances. I was in its presence at all hours, from very early in the morning, at various times during the day, evening, and late at night.
Normally when people see something incredible they use the phrase “It is beyond words” to describe it. The Shroud is the opposite; it deserves and demands an infinity of words. The experience is vast and indelible. Those 20 hours alone have given me years worth of chapters of blogging material. This lasting depth of subtlety and nuance in my observations arrived unexpected, and for it I am infinitely grateful.
I also did not expect to notice how starkly simplistic and simultaneously other worldly the Shroud is, especially when it stands in comparison to all the “bling” associated with other religious icons, paintings, relics, sculptures, vestments, ritual paraphernalia, churches, cathedrals, and so forth.
I literally have never seen anything like it — no other image or painting, or photograph or stain or scorch mark or anything comes even close to being comparable. That in and of itself is reason to marvel.
Sure, the Shroud of Turin is reminiscent of things I have seen before, such as ancient cave paintings, complex geometric designs that trick the eye, alien sci fi imagery, MRI's or X-rays, and Rorschach tests...but none of these come close to the density and depth of information or the subtlety and reach of the Shroud.
I also had expectations in terms of what I would see in other visitors' reactions. I thought I might see people crawling towards it on their knees like pilgrims do at Lourdes. I expected to see emotional breakdowns, sobbing, fainting and possible hysteria or religious fervor.
A common silence and atmosphere of serenity and reverence lingered in the Chapel. In addition, the level of focus and fixation on the image was so severe that one man tripped and fell into the Chapel pews, knocking one over. Another man was so fixated while walking in the back of the Chapel that he tripped and fell to the ground, hitting his head on the marble column.
There were some tears and many gasps of disbelief from the wound marks, but it was all very quiet and contained...all very in keeping with the serenity of the face of the man of the Shroud.
But mostly what I saw from others was the simple act of making the sign of the cross.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Chapter 21: Skeptics and Believers
Skeptics believe that the Shroud is a fake
Believers are skeptical about thin science
What motivates skeptics and believers alike are their strong convictions about their positions. But what agendas drive these convictions...
Let's start with the skeptics:
If the vast majority of the science experimentation and research performed on the Shroud points to it being the real burial cloth of Jesus Christ, why is it that people continue to glom onto the 1988 carbon dating results, which is thin science at best (given that substantial evidence exists to refute the findings)?
Why would it be so important to skeptics to prove the Shroud is a fake--what would they gain?
Why would proof of the existence of Jesus Christ and His resurrection be so threatening?
Are they trying to protect their own religious beliefs, which may differ from Christianity?
Or do they worry that science will be somehow tarnished should the authenticity of the relic be proven? Would not scientific methods be elevated if they were used to reveal such an important discovery?
Since skeptics have no control, would proof of their convictions make them believe they are in control of existence as they know it?
And what of believers:
If the Shroud were proven to be a fake, why would that change anything in terms of one's faith in Christ's death and resurrection?
Does faith requires tangible proof?
Do believers need visible evidence for emotional, self-esteem based reasons?
If the Shroud were proven to be real, does that prove Christians' beliefs are right and somehow they are vindicated?
Since believers have no control, would proof of their convictions make them believe they are in control of existence as they know it?
Skeptics and believers have more in common than they might realize. They also share frustrations related to their positions.
Skeptics must be spinning their heads wondering why 2 million people are expected to visit and venerate the Shroud by the end of the exposition (and so far the numbers are proving to be accurate).
Believers heads spin when they ponder the notion that, if the Shroud is indeed the real deal, why would millions more not be banging down the doors of the Chapel to witness it (especially given how seldom it is exhibited to the public). As a Christian, what more important relic could there possibly be?
In the midst of human skepticism and belief, the Shroud of Turin, encased in bullet proof glass and hanging in the Chapel, is impervious to our attempts to prove. It is suspended in a different dimension, one that exists outside our frame of reference and belies any need for disproving or proving.
There is no need to “try” to see the Sindone...just see.
The Shroud teaches us to perceive from a less linear and logical perspective. In fact, it opens the mind to an entirely different way of “seeing”...and the less we try, the more we see.
Just as the image
rests
on the very tops of the fibers
without trying to lock itself
into the weave of the cloth
so too can we
rest
our eyes
our minds
our skepticism
our beliefs
and take in this image
we cannot explain
but can allow
to rest in us
Believers are skeptical about thin science
What motivates skeptics and believers alike are their strong convictions about their positions. But what agendas drive these convictions...
Let's start with the skeptics:
If the vast majority of the science experimentation and research performed on the Shroud points to it being the real burial cloth of Jesus Christ, why is it that people continue to glom onto the 1988 carbon dating results, which is thin science at best (given that substantial evidence exists to refute the findings)?
Why would it be so important to skeptics to prove the Shroud is a fake--what would they gain?
Why would proof of the existence of Jesus Christ and His resurrection be so threatening?
Are they trying to protect their own religious beliefs, which may differ from Christianity?
Or do they worry that science will be somehow tarnished should the authenticity of the relic be proven? Would not scientific methods be elevated if they were used to reveal such an important discovery?
Since skeptics have no control, would proof of their convictions make them believe they are in control of existence as they know it?
And what of believers:
If the Shroud were proven to be a fake, why would that change anything in terms of one's faith in Christ's death and resurrection?
Does faith requires tangible proof?
Do believers need visible evidence for emotional, self-esteem based reasons?
If the Shroud were proven to be real, does that prove Christians' beliefs are right and somehow they are vindicated?
Since believers have no control, would proof of their convictions make them believe they are in control of existence as they know it?
Skeptics and believers have more in common than they might realize. They also share frustrations related to their positions.
Skeptics must be spinning their heads wondering why 2 million people are expected to visit and venerate the Shroud by the end of the exposition (and so far the numbers are proving to be accurate).
Believers heads spin when they ponder the notion that, if the Shroud is indeed the real deal, why would millions more not be banging down the doors of the Chapel to witness it (especially given how seldom it is exhibited to the public). As a Christian, what more important relic could there possibly be?
In the midst of human skepticism and belief, the Shroud of Turin, encased in bullet proof glass and hanging in the Chapel, is impervious to our attempts to prove. It is suspended in a different dimension, one that exists outside our frame of reference and belies any need for disproving or proving.
There is no need to “try” to see the Sindone...just see.
The Shroud teaches us to perceive from a less linear and logical perspective. In fact, it opens the mind to an entirely different way of “seeing”...and the less we try, the more we see.
Just as the image
rests
on the very tops of the fibers
without trying to lock itself
into the weave of the cloth
so too can we
rest
our eyes
our minds
our skepticism
our beliefs
and take in this image
we cannot explain
but can allow
to rest in us
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