The person who loves God values knowledge of God more than anything created by God, and pursues such knowledge ardently and ceaselessly. (Maximos the Confessor)

Socrates would say it is better to pursue the form rather than the shadow. In itself, I agree.

Yet where to begin? With the concept of God I have created in my mind? Is that not a shadow of a shadow?

At least the created world is less susceptible to the manipulations of ego than my interior self.

That which God has created is good. To ardently and ceaselessly seek God in creation can also be a way to God.

But Maximos disagrees and for the next few days I will listen and respond to his argument.