Learning inner prayer and sobering up the mind is a complex “art of arts,” which requires a person to fully turn their mind to the “inner man” and consciously dwell in the depths of their heart. According to the teachings of the holy fathers, this path consists of specific practical steps, spiritual instructions, and a constant struggle with thoughts.

Practical steps for beginners

1. Solitude and Silence: To practice mindfulness, you need to find a separate, quiet, and dark place, closing the door to everything external. Darkness helps the mind not to be distracted by visible objects, but to focus on the inner state.
2. Body position: You should sit on a low chair (about a span high), bow your head, rest your beard on your chest, and direct your gaze (with both your physical eyes and your mind) to the place where your heart is located.
3. Breathing control: It is important to hold your breath somewhat, inhaling air through your nostrils as if into your heart. This helps to calm the mind and prevents it from quickly escaping from your heart.
4. Reciting the prayer: While in this state, one should constantly call upon the name of the Lord in one’s mind or soul: “Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me!” The words of the prayer should be said slowly, as if consuming them like food, so that they become imprinted in the mind.

The essence of sobering the mind (Nepsis)

Sobriety is a spiritual art that consists in standing vigilantly at the “doors of the heart .” The mind must, like a watchman, see the approach of “criminal thoughts” (demonic attachments) and hear that they are trying to attack the soul.

• Resisting thoughts: As soon as an attachment (the first thought or image of sin) appears, you must immediately resist it with anger and not engage in a “conversation” with it.
• Using the Name of Jesus: When evil thoughts come, the beginner cannot defeat them alone. Instead of weapons, one should use the Name of Jesus: “In the name of Jesus, defeat the warriors, for there is no stronger weapon in heaven or on earth . ”

Important conditions for success

• Humility and obedience: Without complete obedience to the spiritual father and deep humility, the path of interior prayer can lead to delusion (delusion) . A person should consider himself inferior to everyone and never trust his own reason during prayer.
• A clear conscience: It is necessary to keep a clear conscience towards God (not doing what displeases Him), towards one’s spiritual father (doing his will), and towards other people and things (avoiding abuse and insults).
• Refusal of images: During prayer, it is strictly forbidden to accept any images, views, light or fire that appear from outside or inside. God is invisible and indescribable, therefore the mind during prayer must remain invisible, simple and imageless .
• Perseverance: The fruits of prayer do not come in a day or two, but after many years of zealous effort. You need to “tie” prayer to your breathing so that it becomes a natural habit that does not stop even during sleep.

Sobriety of mind ultimately leads to the heart being cleansed of passions, and the mind becoming “luminous,” being able to see the Divine light and know the innermost secrets. Such a state gives the soul deep peace and indescribable joy in the Lord.