An edited version of a talk given for the Beshara Institute, on the theme of Diversity in Unity in Dante's great poem. This is part 1 of 3.

Here, in the final canto of The Divine Comedy, Dante rises to his greatest height in a beatific vision of divinity itself, in a flash of insight, difficult to remember, difficult to put into words, but his poetry is up to it, and carries on to the end of this great poem.

Bernard points out to Dante various pre-eminent souls seated in that huge Celestial Rose, and discusses the situation of those infants who have also been saved, and the mystery of how even they are placed in a hierarchy. Then the final moments before, in the next, final canto, Dante will reach the goal of his journey.

More heavenly bliss, but Beatrice shifts away from Dante's side, up to her real place in the great community of heaven, with St Bernard now taking her place for the final steps of this journey.

Is it a geometry lesson as a point enlarges into a circle? Or a sparkling scene in nature? Or a theatre in the round? Or the Celestial Rose, now coming into view for Dante, as Beatrice finishes her explanations, with a fierce attack on the popes.

Angels, rebel angels, a question of time and eternity, wrong-headed lecturers and preachers, and back to the angels at the end of the canto - more instruction from Beatrice.

An inverted model of the universe and the nine orders of angels, Beatrice talking us through this ninth sphere.

The indescribably joyfulness of this highest heaven, but also the rage at the corruption on earth, with no spiritual or secular leadership.

Dante passes the third and final part of his exams, and then has an encounter with none other than Adam himself.

Part 2 of Dante's final exam, on Hope, and then the third examiner arrives, but Dante peers too deeply for something that's not there, and blinds himself before the third part of the exam can even begin.