In the Book of Genesis, once Adam and Eve are expelled from the Garden of Eden, and enter the world, they settle to the east of Eden. Why East? There is powerful symbolism in this cardinal direction. Like the rising sun, it represents light and divinity. Eastward toward God is a movement toward enlightenment, salvation, a closer connection with the divine. The painting features a contemporary female figure, a modern Eve. In the background is a garden scene borrowed from an ancient roman fresco painted around the time of Christ. Behind her, an angel holds a banner that says in Latin, "Let Peace Guide You with One Mind." Like the woman in the painting, I found that I could no longer go back to the Garden, back to my childish innocence. By turning and looking back at where I had been on my spiritual path, I clearly saw that I had passed through my black and white, naive stage of faith. And now, facing forward, I made my way toward enlightenment and spiritual maturity.