THE LOST COROT*

Our consciousness is unsullied at birth; we are pure in spirit, our Divine connection immaculate. As we age and mature, our consciousness becomes layered with false beliefs in limitation, sin, sickness and inharmony, covering our original perfection. Just as the lucky flea market shopper who stumbles across a treasure under layers of paint, we discover the Higher Truth; we peel back the layers, scraping away bit by bit the false paths of fear, limitation, selfishness and unrighteous judgment. Often it feels as if this is a task beyond mortal man, and in fact, it is. Only a power greater than ourselves, God, provides not only the direction and guidance but also the needed strength to accomplish this seemingly impossible task. The good news is we only need to accomplish what can be done in a day. The story is told of the mason working on an intricate tile floor in a cathedral. A visitor marveled at the work that had been done but was overwhelmed by the immensity of the area still left to be tiled. When they asked the mason how he could do it, he replied, “I know about how much I can do in a day, so I mark out that much and don’t concern myself with the rest.” We employ prayer and meditation in the same way, addressing what is before us today, leaving tomorrow to take care of itself. Besides, what else do have to do that is more important?


*Camille Corot (1796-1875) was probably the painter the most copied during the 19th century not only by imitators but also by talented artists..
It is still possible to rediscover lost works by Corot nowadays but most newly discovered works on the market are fakes. In fact, since the death of Alfred Robaut, an artist who produced the catalogue raisonné of Corot's paintings and drawings there have been some 10,000 recorded fakes in the world.