Photo of the clouds over the Atlantic Ocean in Bahia, Brazil by Tfioreze.
One of the primary elements of the sea’s grandeur is its unity. The oceans of the world flow into one another and make up an immense body of water which encircles the entire globe.
Anywhere in the world, when we find ourselves at the edge of the sea, one of the most agreeable spiritual considerations is to embrace visually the entire liquid mass stretching before us to the horizon and to recall that this mass does not end at that boundary. Rather, farther beyond, immensity upon fluid immensity follows, forming a great and single immensity, that is, the sea as a whole, which moves, rolls, and plays about the entire surface of the earth.
Photo of Miami south beach at sunrise by Bjornsphoto.
And yet, how much variety is evident in the sea! One moment it is humble and serene, seeming to satisfy our soul’s every desire for peace, tranquility, and quietude. The next moment, it moves itself with discretion and suavity, allowing small waves to form which play upon its surface, bringing a smile to our spirit and allowing it to expand itself in the consideration of the amenable and appreciable realities of life.
Finally, it shows itself majestic and fierce, rising up in sublime movements, with fury hurling itself against lofty crags and emptying its abysses of unfathomable quantities of water.
The Universe is a Cathedral, the end of which is the glorification of God.
At times, the sea comes ashore swiftly and seemingly out of breath. At other times, it heads ashore lazily, by means of waves which die listlessly upon the beach. And finally, it shows itself at times completely void of motion, seemingly to gaze landward without coming ashore.
Photo of the Ocean at Porto Covo on the west coast of Portugal taken by Alvesgaspar.
At times, the sea is so limpid that one is able to gaze through its great liquid mass clear to the bottom. However, at other times, it shows itself obscure, impenetrable, profound, and mysterious.
From one moment to the next, its murmur gives the impression of a soothing caress which induces sleep, and then it seems to be but a noise in the distance, such as that of the voice of an old friend whom one has heard on many occasions. But then, shortly afterwards, it speaks to us with a dominating, regal bellow, seeming to impose its will upon all other elements.
Photo of the Baleineaux Lighthouse in Île de Ré, France taken by per.per.
***
We would not consider these various aspects of the sea coherent or enchanting were they not presented to us upon the great foundation of a fixed, invariable, and grandiose unity.
The sea is the garden of a palace of dreams.
The sea in its myriad forms and noises! In its magnificent furies and splendorous tranquilities!
***
Photo of the Ocean off the coast of Fuerteventura near Ajuy, Spain taken by Simisa.
The sound, the odor of the foamy waters: he who has never experienced it, paid attention to it, or been enchanted by it does not understand the way things are. It is useless! He has not lived! It is something unique.
The colors, the varied hues, and afterwards, that white foam! It has its role in the beauty of the sea; could you imagine just how uninteresting the sea would be without that foam?
Music is an order of notes, and the Universe is a music of realities.
