Page - 172 - in JRFM - Journal Religion Film Media, Volume 03/01

172 | Michael R. Heim www.jrfm.eu 2017, 3/1, 159–181 In front of the fire is the calming reflective pool, water being the cosmologi- cal element that balances fire. The more subtle meaning of the water element is reflective empathic fellow feeling, which then balances the fires of personal ambition and ego propulsion. The Lobby has a literal fireplace balancing cool, reflective pools of water. The Lobby skylight is special (see fig. 4). Traditional architecture often cel- ebrates public spaces, especially the entries of city halls, with a skylight. the ceiling window that funnels sky light into a gathering place is called the oculus (Latin for “eye”). the view upward through the Lobby eye shows cantilevered structures floating in clouds, contrasting with earthy branches and trees. So: earth, air, fire, water – all four elements populate the Oculus Lobby. Leaving the Lobby to enter a Vr experience or game means plunging into a dif- ferent mix of elements. the four elements are not to be taken as literally as we find them in the Lobby. Taken less literally, the elements are subtler, more soul- ful, more capable of becoming components of spiritual life. taken less literally, the elements can be cultivated by attention balanced by spirit. Land’s End is an example that illustrates both literal and metaphorical ele- ments. something like a maze, the game moves the cybernaut through a se- ries of locations on a simulated beach, through high mountains, and over a vast ocean. Land’s End often presents the traveler with puzzles that must be solved before the next move through the series of locations can be made. the thrill of the game is the sense of place when near rushing waves, on the tops of moun- tains, inside a cave, or flying through the air. The four elements can feel quite Fig. 4: Skylight view inside the Oculus Lobby.