Dantes Paradiso

The Divine Comedy is one of the best literary works ever; Dantes Inferno is the most popular among the three parts of the poem. Though it may be the most known, that doesn't mean it should be the most interesting.

In Dantes Paradiso, heaven is divided into 9 spheres. In the middle is the Earth where Inferno lives and Purgatorio revolves around it. Once one completes the stage of Purgatorio, that person is then judged and placed into one of the 9 spheres that stretch outward, closer and closer to Empyrean, the place where God resides.

Dantes Paradiso is not as physical as Dantes Inferno and harder to really create and analyze because of the difference in judgement compared to Inferno. Similarly, the higher one travels through the spheres, or planets, the harder it becomes to conceive and understand what one is in and seeing. Ultimately, Empyrean is impossible to perceive as a human, so although there is an actual being there that is described as 3 rings or circles with the brightest light in existence is, heaven is personalized to the individual because it is easier to understand.

However, since Paradiso can be interpreted as ones own heaven, my version of Dantes Paradiso will be slightly different than the one in the original text. Since heaven is different than hell and it is harder to judge and place beings based on morale, this will be very peculiar and up to debate. Ones interpretation of heaven is welcomed and ones argument against my version is welcomed as well.

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Sphere I: Land of the Repentance

The first sphere of heaven. The "welcoming gates", if you will, of heaven. Typically for Catholics and Christians (I'm not well versed in other religions so I can only offer this example) if you repent your sins you are told you are automatically granted a seat in heaven. Of course it is not as simple as confessing to anybody, but the general gist is that a confessor will be welcomed into the gates of heaven. Though much controversy surrounds that in itself, it is appropriate to place those souls that simply repent on Earth in this first sphere of heaven. However, this does not mean murderers or rapists or kidnappers are welcome by simply repenting. The souls of those who committed small "crimes" on Earth or told white lies or lies that did not lead to death or chaos are welcomed into this realm of heaven.

Sphere II: Land of the Forgiving

This is where the souls of those who forgave the most reside. This is a place for those who believed forgiving was a greater accomplishment and way of judgment than revenge or vengeance. This is a place for those souls that were tormented by others on Earth but never thought about retaliating. "Accepting thy neighbors action and forgiving" is the general motto for those that reside in this part of heaven. Their actions and thoughts inch them closer to a personal grasp with God in eternity.

Sphere III: Land of the Givers

Land of the Givers. This sphere describes those souls that were selfless on Earth and gave back to the community, gave back to flora and fauna, gave back to the world for selfless reasons, for a better place for all to live and roam on Earth for the time they had as well as respecting the non-human life that is part of Land. The souls of the Givers never took and never asked for more than needed; some never even asked at all. The Givers always gave back. The Givers always helped the community by any means necessary; always helped the planet by any means necessary. The Givers are souls that never complained about giving and never bragged about it either. Selflessness is the common ground of this sphere in heaven. From small contributions to large ones, everyone is equal. Size of contribution and giving is not measured because it is the desire, thought, drive, and action of giving to the world that is analyzed.

Sphere IV: Land of the Lovers

Designated for the lovers of life. Designated for the souls that loved everything and anything, that loved life itself and loved themselves. The fourth sphere in heaven is a residence for the souls that gave unconditional and ultimate love to every being on Earth; they loved their neighbor, their boss, their family and friends, their fellow acquaintance, their enemy, their home, their life, their planet. These individuals roamed the Earth spreading their love, spreading their message of respecting others and cherishing everyone. They fought hate with love. They fought envy with love. They fought disrespect with love. The fourth sphere in heaven is the ultimate embodiment of unconditional and beautiful and pure love.

Sphere V: The Tunnel to Beyond

The Empyrean is close. The home of God is close and can be felt among all the souls in the realm of heaven the higher one gets through the spheres. The fifth sphere of heaven is the last step/stage/frontier before a soul resides with God. Although all of heaven is God and God resides in every sphere and resides in every soul, this last sphere can be described as "a few steps before crossing the door and entering the house". God may influence the entire neighborhood and have heavy, heavy incorporation to the way the neighborhood is designed and breathed, seeming as if he is basically there, his entirety is not there. His entirety, or source, is back in his small and humble home. Dantes Inferno has limbo, which God placed in the first circle of hell. God placed his own limbo in heaven. The Beyond is heavens limbo. Souls who've done so good on Earth are presented here, just a few steps before living in eternity at the heart of God rather than Gods hands.

Sphere VI: Empyrean

God is here. God is beyond time, space, and understanding. God is welcoming and shines so bright. The souls that are welcomed here find it hard to perceive Gods true form. God is best described as a radiating and pleasantly blinding light that fills the soul up and draws them closer to the emanating warmth. God is everything and is love and that's when the souls here understand and feel it. Here, the souls live for eternity at the heart of God full with love and gratitude. Eternal euphoria and happiness is an understatement; words cant describe this last and endless sphere. The souls of the pure rest here with God.