Vision of a Knight

- by Raphael (1504)

In this picture we see a sleeping knight, unaware of what is around him and what will vie for his attention when he wakes up. All Students will face this at a certain point in their evolution. Imagine that the moment he wakes he will see the beautiful Lady on the right. She is adorned with beads and flowers in her hair. She is offering him a bouquet and her smiling self.

Raphael has divided the picture in two by the tree, which if we observe cuts the knight into his higher and lower parts. The beautiful lady attracts his lower parts. He would have to make an effort to turn and see the other Lady, holding the book of knowledge and the sword of truth. She is unadorned and her hair is covered. In the distance we see that her side has a road in the background, illustrating the road they must take together, and in the distance we see the two figures making their way along the road.

As we saw, the tree cuts exactly through his heart. We have to ask the question "Which way will his heart lead him on awakening. To his beautiful Lady offering all the pleasures of the flesh or the Lady offering knowledge and wisdom?

I know most of you will apply the question to yourselves and say "I will pick knowledge and wisdom.” This is the question serious students of evolution are likely to ask. But it is here where Raphael's lesson comes in. Look at the two Ladies and a shock awaits us. It is the same Lady. The question is not "Which One?" What we must do is engage both: "the Lamb and the Wolf".

It is not legitimate for a Student to deny one or the other but balance both. This is the fertile soil of The Academy. We must engage in life. I wish you all well in your balancing act, and I hope you will remember this picture from the School painted 400 years ago. The times may be different, but our trials reoccur.

~ Mervyn Brady