réflexions sur une réflexion
: .English version below the picture
Nous nous promenions le long d’un petit chenal à côtéde la Somme et nous vîmes cette étrange image .
Sur la photo nous voyons deux ponts . Evidemment notre cerveau nous dit qu ‘il n ‘ y a qu ‘un seul pont et que celui du dessous est une image donnée par réflexion . Notre cerveau reconstruit la réalité perçue par nos sens . Cependant il ne peut le faire que dans les limites de sa propre structure physique et chimique

We were walking along a little chanel at the side of the river Somme and we saw the strange image above .
On this picture we see two bridges . Obviously our brain tells us there is only one bridge and the one below is an image given by reflection . Our brain re – build the reality discerned with our senses . However it can do it only in the limits of its own chemical and physical structures .
Le cerveau humain depuis des siècles a construit des outils de pensée : mathématiques , modèles physiques , théories etc ..qui poussent plus loin la connaissance de la vie et de l ‘univers et permettent d ‘ agir . . Mais ces outils sont liés aux capacités et aux structures du cerveau humain . Un ami me citait une phrase du philosophe français Bachelard : ” le monde n ‘ existerait pas sans l ‘ homme ” , une manière de dire que le monde n ‘ existe pour l ‘ homme que tel qu ‘il peut le concevoir . Il y a donc un relativisme dans nos connaissances et nous restons nécessairement enfermés dans notre sphère humaine . Il restera toujours un énorme mystère .
C ‘ est ici que nous rejoignons La Toussaint et Noël . Il y a les réalités que nous pouvons construire et les réalités de la Foi. Elles ne sont pas incompatibles
Qu ‘ en pensez – vous?

La cathédrale d’Amiens dans la brume et sa réflexion dans la Somme. photoM.Fauquet
For centuries the human brain has built tools of thought : mathematics , physical patterns , theories … that bring knowledges about Life and Univers forward and allow to act .. But these tools are linked to the human brain ‘ s capacities and structures . A friend told me a french philosopher Bachelard ‘ s quote : ” The world would not exist without the Man ” , a way to say that the world exists only as he can conceive it . Thus there is a relativism of our knowledges . and we always remain within our human sphere . There will always be a huge mystery .
This is here we join All Saints Day and Christmas . There are the reality that we can build and the reality coming from Faith. Both they are not incompatible .
thoughtful Michel.
From time to time, Bonnie! 🙂 ❤
My brain is not taking much in today. Audrey is due any day now. Her first. My 8th grandchild.
Fall was beautiful this year. The colors were spectacular! I will be sad to see it change again. Already the leaves are falling down.
Sending much love!
Rachel 🌹
You are going to rise in rank, Rachel to go to 8th soon
It is good to have many grandchildren around the table . They keep us young! ❤
Wise, deep thoughts on reflections from Uncle Michel. Always happy to read your posts, it kind of lift my spirit and cheer my mood. Sending my love to you and Janine❤️.
Thanks Isabel for your kind words . We are friends for so long!
With love <
The pictures are beautiful! Ah..a reflection on reflections!!! Take care Michel..
God bless ❤
Yes, Gayle, this place is beautiful and matter of thought. ❤
Wonderful reflection photos, Michel, and interesting connections between the brain and the designs of architecture!
Thank you, Janet, Yes the phenomena of reflection increase the beauty of a site and encourage thinking
Those are beautiful photos. You’re very philosophical today, Michel. What did you teach before retirement?
Christine ❤️
Thanks, Cristine.I taught biology and then I was an inspector in the same subject and I did a lot of educational research
I love your reflection on reflections! I also love reflection pictures. Especially of mountains–usually snow-capped–reflected in still water. And the picture of your beautiful cathedral in in distant mist is beautiful, and a bit moody, too. Do you still sing? Nancy and Ken ❤
I am glad, Nancy, you love the picture with the cathedral of Amiens . About singing I cannot anymore my voice is out .Thank you. ❤
un sujet merveilleux (et opportun) ! je crois, Aquinas y a longuement et profondément réfléchi et il pense aussi que les réalités que nous construirent peuvent entrer en contact avec la réalité du monde et — dans une certaine mesure et avec la grace de Dieu — avec les mystères de la Foi. en dépit de la Chute, qui nous liait à notre structure physique et chimique (he would have said our material nature or something like that), cette structure retient enfin une étincelle du divin . . . mais contrairement à les anges et les bienheureux nous doivent approcher les vérités transcendentes indirectement et analogiquement.
perfect thoughts to have in front of the water in the shadow of the cathedral !
Thank you Neil for this comment that completes my post with your own reflection and the apport of St Thomas d’Aquin . As you see a simple little bridge may be the source of fundamemtal questions for someone who ask about the existence
marvels abound all around us . . . et le monde, il se reflète en nous comme sur l’eau
Are the eyes mirror of the world or mirror of the soul, Neil ?
a little bit of both, surely . . . now, we can ask how many bridges are there, and it looks like two above the watercourse and two in the water . . . but then, that was what Michel saw—so in a sense there are four more, in his mind . . . but wait, I’m looking at the image captured by a camera from Michel’s point of view, and the image of that image is what is in my mind . . . the bridges multiply starkly !
My bridges, your bridges, Neil ! Who would have thought that a simple photo would generate such a multiplication.
I like this comment which humorously expresses a philosophical thought.
Thank you for the lovely philosophical reflections and the lovely photos showing reflections, Michel! This a beautiful, thoughtful post!
Wishing you well!
Love ❤
Cheryl
Thanks Cheryl . Yes a simple observation may lead us to deeper reflection. ❤
I love these reflections in the water, Michel! It’s also lovely to capture them in paintings/drawings. 🙂
I am sure you would make a great painting in watercolor of course , Marion! <3:)
Bonjour. Reflections are fascinating. And they represent a sort of altered reality.
;;;;and also source of interrogation about the existence .
Beautiful photo. No, they are not incompatible. ❤️
I agree toyally, Elizabeth . ❤
I love your reflections on reflections! Our brains cannot contain the wonder and majesty of God. Yet we are a reflection of the Divine – Made in God’s image… Only a week until All Hallows Eve and then All Saints’ Day and then All Souls’ Day. A good time to reflect on our life!!
Your comment Val makes me think of the song Tantum ergo sacramentum. And especially two lines translated in English:
“….Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.” ❤
These are very wise reflections on a marvellously seen and photographed image. It is also good to see the bridge in context in the second picture. Such a powerful also brings association of World War One, which thought comes to me because of our memories of that awful period and the name of the river. Thank you for this thought provoking post, my friend, Michel.
Thank Derrick Yes the area around the river Somme saw bloody battles during WWI
And yes the reflection about bridge and cathedral are source of further meditation.
Il me serait peu cohérent d’affirmer que ce que je crois et ce que je rêve ne sont pas réels ou n’existent pas ! En revanche, une fois ceci accepté, s’ouvre la thèse de philosophie sur ce qu’est la réalité … sans espoir de fin autre que le retrait du monde.
Belle journée à Janine et à toi, Michel.
En effet, Gilles, la réalité est circonscrite pas nos organes des sens et par les fonctions du cerveau humain ….
Les photos sont magnifiques….moi je vois 4 ponts …..tu es philosophe Papa .
Certe l humain a des connaissances mais elles risquent de nous détruire…Gardons foi dans les choses simples de la vie …la famille et le souvenir de nos disparus
Bonne journée je t embrasse carole
Gardons foi dans…le souvenir de nos disparus: avec l’ Espérance . Merci Carole ❤
Such a beautiful reflection photo, Michel! And your wise thoughtful words of reflection are beautiful, too! Just what we needed! Thank you! (((HUGS))) ❤️
Thank you, Carolyn, for this kind comment. I feel encouraged ; ❤
Because there is a reflection, it is calm, so I always feel the calm when there is a reflection in a body of water. You might say it induces reflection in oneself! A lovely post today, Michel!
You are right , Doug. A peaceful water generates peace in ourselves.
That is so profound. The human brain. Amazing!
From time to time I try to make my mind at wotrk, Françoise ! 🙂 ❤
such deep and wondrous reflections! Michael those photos are masterpieces and your words ring true … thank you 🙂
Thank you Kate. When you contemplate nature as you did during your trip, it leads to ask questions and define our thoughts. ❤
exactly, well said Michel … that’s often neglected so I truly appreciate the space to do this 🙂
Nature is there that inspires us and loves us, but we must know how to stop our hurry life from time to time to regain deep awareness of ourselves.. Thanks Kate for your comments;
that’s exactly why I meditate MIchel … that aspect is essential for a mental/emotional health!
Sorry I’ve taken so long to reply, having great weather so I’ve had plenty of visitors …
Not any problems, Kate . Thanks for your comments . I am honored . ❤
I love reflection pictures.
Yes, it impressed me. ❤ Don’t you think it was a beautiful image ?
Our eyes are such a remarkable gift, as we perceive many things in our line of vision. Your observation especially on this reflection.. ALL that we see, in the structures we as humans have created are indeed what we have once created within our brain-matter.. Which was once but a thought… Now manifested into matter, as it was constructed out of materials to create the bridge..
We have much more to reflect upon dear Michel as we see the marvels our race has created.. But more so, the marvels and miracles Nature herself creates, that I give thanks my eyes can see the wonder of ..
Thank you for sharing these two images my friend…. The cathedral in the background also another remarkable structure of creation…
Forgive I do not have time to translate into your native tongue of French today my friend..
Have a wonderful week… and thank you for giving us Pause for Thought.. ❤
Thank you, Sue, for your contribution to this reflection on thought and action. ❤
My pleasure Michel. 💖
You are welcome, Sue . ❤
Wonderful photos! I love the mirror image we see as we look in water. Love to you and Janine. ❤️
Yes, Lynda , the calm water brings to us a beautiful virtual image. ❤
Je suis assez d’accord avec Bachelard. (Si je ne me trompe ma prof de philo en terminale avait été son élève… Pas sûr)
Bonne semaine
C’est une sérieuse référence!
Çä m’a évité de lire Bachelard. Elle nous a tout digéré. 😉
C’était une prof très maternelle ! 🙂
Oui. C’est vrai. Elle était jeune à l’époque. Elle avait deux enfants de 5-6 ans. Du coup j’ai regardé Bachelard, mort en 62, et Merleau-Ponty, mort en 61. Je ne sais plus lequel des deux. Elle a dû avoir leurs derniers cours…
Elle buvait à la source de la philosophie . As-tu conservé des contacts même lointains avec elle ?
Non. J’aides camarades de Terminale, avec qui je suis encore en contact qui l’ont contactée. Apparemment elle va bien.
I always love images of Amiens. There is such a sense of history in the ancient cities of Europe. Of course, they are almost as wonderful as images of the Duchess and her horses.
It’s true we feel the history in Eurpean towns . Amiens cathedrale we see on the second picture is 800 yer old ! It overlooks the valley of the river Somme .
The Duchess indeed love to be on her horse in field and woods, hills and valeys! and even some times through a river , Judy! ❤
bonjour Michel,
tout de suite en lisant je me suis dit oui c’est le mystère de la foi, avant que je ne
me rende compte vers la fin que tu en parles !
j’apprécie beaucoup aussi ces photos quand tout se reflète dans l’eau !
bises ! bonne soirée à vous !
Je suis heureux, Maidy, de voir que nous partageons cela . ❤
Beautiful photos. The cathedral looks like it has been painted on a canvas by a famous artist. 🎨
Yes, Gail, this photo is really inspiring for everyone and especially for a painter ❤
Yes, Gail, the photo and the reality are really inspiring. ❤
Wonderful photos of reflections. Seeing the photo of the cathedral reminds me of when we went to see the light show , which was a delight to watch
I remember well the lightshow on the cathedral, It was a great time, Julie. ❤
The photo of the bridge reflecting in the water is most intriguing. What a lovely capture !
I loved the picture of the cathedral of Amiens and the river. I think I would like to paint that.
Yes two remarkable images, Zakiah, inspiring. ❤
2022
I was unable to access your holiday post, Michel. I hope you had a joyous Christmas with your family, and I wish all of you a peaceful and prosperous 2023!
Love ❤
Cheryl
I have just posted my Christmas post, Cheryl. I got some problems with word press even today ❤
I found the nativity scene photo, but I couldn’t find the post.
Sorry you have had such frustration! ❤