Abandon All Hope

  Dante’s Inferno is a well read epic poem, renowned for its depiction of a commonly held human dread of perishing into Hell, (Inferno is Italian for Hell). At 35 Dante Commedia narrates his journey through hell guided by the Roman poet Virgil. Odd as it may seem, it is named Divine Comedy that served as an allegory for the soul’s journey towards God and the recognition ~ then rejection~ of sin; perhaps there’s a secret hidden in the open?
  His trip takes him through nine circle of Hell; Limbo, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Anger, Heresy, Violence, Fraud and Treachery, which just so happens to include four of the seven deadly sins. Each sin's punishment in Inferno is a contrapasso, a symbolic instance of poetic justice. As an example, fortune-tellers had to walk forward with their heads on backward unable to see what was ahead; this due to their lives spent trying to see the future through forbidden means. Such a contrapasso functions not merely as a form of ironic divine revenge, but rather as the fulfillment of a destiny freely chosen by each soul during his or her life; something I consider Karma, a Sanskrit word translated to mean ‘actions’.
  I address this today as an amalgam of experiences. Last night I saw a marketing ploy where a banner flashed ‘abandon hope’ on an activity; suggesting if you’re not using their product your efforts are fruitless. Seeing the phrase, something of recognition to the familiar phase from the Divine Comedy clicked. When Dante passed through Hell’s doorway, above the arch was the inscription, the ninth (and final) line of which is the famous phrase "Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate", or "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here." 

  That very next mid-early-morning-not-quite-sleeping-nor-awake phase sometimes that visits, I found myself criticizing my many interest colliding into one another rendering half-step results; in effect, none of them were prospering as much as I judged should be; mostly, I reason, because they are in mid-stride development. From stories, books, music to numismatics (a legacy my father left me upon his passing.) With those crept in a host of household tasks along with community commitments I’ve made; all chiding about slow progress. 

 

  Perhaps this was the beginning of this post for today; the notion of sloth. For whatever spawns the practice of self-criticism, the task at hand is to learn its affect then distilling its effect. On that note, I’d notice the skill of living well is to dismiss any suggestion that doesn’t add quality. Hope is not a plan, and relying on it as a trump card against incremental living behavior towards an ending based on those choices is foolishly naïve. We are free to choose our course; just as we are free to adjust that course in light of experience. What is not helpful are concepts that suggest an escape from consequences by a supernatural being who happens to give us an alibi or treat us as special amongst the host of other living creatures who must abide by nature’s laws. 

  To embrace the notion that our efforts are subject to divine intervention if we plead enough, or demonstrate our goodness for approval before we experience progress or success is a belief in resignation to responsibility that is requisite in order to enjoy true freedom. This is, of course, in no way a manifesto against divine existence; but is a declaration of inclusion into the great journey of living under the banner of ultimate-unconditional free will.