Moments of Spiritual Awareness

The great French scientist and essayist, Blaise Pascal had a spiritual experience on Monday, November 23, 1654, which completely transformed his life. So important was this event to the great philosopher that he strove to keep its memory in the forefront of his thoughts for the rest of his life. To this purpose he wrote a record of it which he kept sewn inside his jacket and which was discovered only after his death: "From about half past ten in the evening until about half past twelve. . .FIRE. . .God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob. . .God of Jesus Christ. . .not of the philosophers and scholars. . .Certitude, certitude, feeling, joy, peace. . .I have been separated from him. . .Let me not be separated from him eternally. Eternally in joy for a day's trial on earth."