The Ascetical Homilies Of Isaac The Syrian

The fear of God is the beginning of virtue; It is there the offspring of faith and is sown in the heart when the mind is removed from the worldly absent-mindedness, so that thoughts whirling from soaring to gather his own in contemplation of future restoration.
In order to lay the foundation of virtue, it is better all things for a person to keep himself away from the affairs of life and to abide in the law, which illuminates the right and holy paths, as the Holy Spirit pointed out through the Psalmist (Psalm 22:3; 118:35).
The beginning of the path of life is to always learn with the mind in The words of God and to lead a life in poverty. Getting yourself drunk one contributes to perfection in another. If you get drunk by studying the Words of God, this helps to succeed in the poverty; but success in non-acquisitiveness gives you leisure to succeed in the study of the Words of God. And the allowance of that and the other contributes to the speedy erection of the whole building virtues.
Without withdrawing from the world, no one can approach the God. And by removal I do not mean transmigration by the body, but removal from worldly affairs. The Virtue of Withdrawing from the World consists in not occupying one’s mind with the world.
When grace abounds in a person, then the fear of death becomes insignificant for him, on the way to righteousness desired (or in the face of obstacles in this path), – and he finds many reasons in his soul, according to the to whom, for the fear of God, he is ready to endure sorrows, as something due; then everything that is unpleasant to the body and powerful to inflict suffering on him, is not counted in his eyes in the comparison with what he hopes for in the future. But when the impoverishment of grace will increase in man, which will then occur in the and with him is contrary to what has been said: then by reason of research (which can only be based on on the tangible), he has more faith, hope in the God is not present in every work, and God’s Providence is for man is understood differently. Such a person is constantly exposed to fears that lie in wait in the darkness by intrigues to shoot him with your arrows (Psalm 10:2).
Doubt of the heart leads fear into the soul; but faith can to make the will firm even when cutting off the members. In which the love of the flesh overcomes in you, in such a way you cannot Thou shalt be bold and fearless in the presence of many the confrontations surrounding what you love.
Chastity is not the one in whom, during struggle, work, and podvig, shameful thoughts cease, but the one who By the truth of his heart he chasteth the sight of his mind, not allowing it to reach out to obscene thoughts. – And while the honesty of conscience with the eyes of his eyes testifies to its faithfulness (to the law of purity), shame, as the veil hangs in the hidden receptacle of thoughts, and His chastity, like a chaste virgin, is observed To Christ by faith.
In order to disgust the dispositions of the soul preoccupied with the soul to the obscenity, nothing is more helpful than immersion in love for the study of the Divine Scriptures, and comprehension of the depth of his thoughts. When thoughts are immersed in the delight of comprehending the wisdom hidden in words; then man, to the extent that he derives enlightenment from them, the same one leaves the world behind him and forgets everything that is in the world. “But also when the mind floats only on the surface of the waters sea of Divine Scriptures, and cannot penetrate thoughts Scripture to the very depths; and then the very fact that he is busy zeal for the understanding of the Scriptures is sufficient for him to With a single thought of the wondrous to bind your thoughts, and to prevent them from striving for material things and carnal.
In everything that you meet in the Scriptures, search the purpose of the word, to penetrate thee into the depths of the thought of the Saints, and to understand it with greater accuracy. Divine guided by grace in their lives to enlightenment always they feel that as if a clever ray passes through the poems written, and distinguishes to the mind bare words from what spiritual knowledge is spoken with great thought.
If a person reads meaningful poems, he does not going deep into them, then his heart remains poor (nothing does not eat), and the holy power is extinguished in him, which at the time of miraculous understanding of the soul, brings to the heart the sweetest tasting.
Every thing usually strives towards what is akin to it. AND the soul that has in itself the portion of the spirit, when it hears the utterance, containing the hidden spiritual power, attracts to itself the content of this utterance. Not every person awakens to wonder what is said spiritually and has in the great spiritual power he has hidden for himself. A Word on Virtue it requires a heart that is not occupied by the earth; but in a man who the mind is burdened with concern for the transitory, virtue is not awakens thoughts to love her and to seek possession her.
Renunciation of matter by its being precedes union with By God, although often, according to the economy of grace, in other the latter turns out to be preceding the first. Ordinary Rank the economy of the Other People is different from the order common to men. – Thou shalt preserve the common order. If grace precedes in you, this is her business; and if it does not precede, then by all means Ascend people to the height of the spiritual pillar.
The insatiability of the soul in the acquisition of virtue turns to his advantage a part of the visible (sensual) desires of the body associated with it. Paints every thing measure. Without measure, even that which is considered beautiful turns to harm.
Do you want to be in communion with God with your mind? – Serve almsgiving. To the spiritual love that imprints the invisible image (of God in himself), there is no other path if man will not first of all begin to be generous to the same extent as how perfect is our heavenly Father, as the Lord said (Luke 1:10). 6, 36).
That an artist who paints water on the walls, however, he cannot quench his thirst with this water; The same is true of the word not justified by activity. Who speaks of virtue, what he himself experienced in practice, he also conveys it to the listener him, as one gives to another the money obtained by his labor. And who, out of his own acquisitiveness, sows learning by ear He boldly opens his mouth to those who hear him; speaking to his spiritual children, as the aged Jacob said To the chaste Joseph: I give thee one portion above thy brethren, which I have taken from the Amorites with my sword and with my bow” (Gen. 48:22).
Someone said beautifully that the fear of death saddens a husband condemned by his conscience; but who has good things in himself testimony, he desires death as much as life.
If anything was deeply connected with your soul, then consider this to be your acquisition, not only for this age, but believe, that it will go with you into the age to come. And if this is – if there is anything good, rejoice and thank God in your mind; but if it is something evil, then grieve and sigh, and try to free yourself from this while you are in the body.
Always keep in mind the most grievous sorrows of the afflicted and embittered, in order to give you your due thanksgiving for the small and insignificant sorrows that happen to you, and to be able to endure them with joy.
While cooling and dissolving, imagine in Your heart is the former time of your diligence, as you were he cares for everything, even to a little; what a feat he showed, with with what zeal he resisted those who wanted to lay down I will hinder your procession. With such a remembrance thy soul again will awake as if from a deep sleep, will be clothed again with the flame of jealousy, as if from the dead, and with a hot by confronting the devil and sin, he will return to his former rank.
The activity of the cross is twofold: one consists in endurance of carnal sorrows (bodily deprivations, inevitable in the struggle with the passions), and is called activity actually; and the other consists in the subtle work of the mind, in the Divine meditation, and being in prayer, etc. and is called contemplation. The first purifies the passionate part soul, and the other enlightens the intellectual part of the soul. All kinds of a person who, before perfect training in the first part, passes to this second, attracted by its sweetness, Not to mention – by his laziness, he overtakes wrath because that he had not first put to death his rod which was on the earth (Col. 3:5), i.e. not having healed the weakness of thoughts by the patient exercise in the reproach of the cross, dared in his mind to dream of the glory of the cross. This is what has been said ancient Saints, that if the mind intends to ascend the cross before his senses, having been healed of their infirmity, come into serenity, then God’s wrath overtakes him. Who has a mind defiled by shameful passions, and who is quick to fulfill mind with dreamy thoughts, his mouth is blocked a rebuke for not having first cleansed the mind with sorrows, and not subduing the lusts of the flesh, but trusting in the fact that heard the ear and what was written in ink, he rushed straight forward, to walk the path full of darkness, when blind with eyes.
Imagine that virtue is the body, contemplation is the soul, and both are one a perfect man, united by the spirit of two parts, of sensual and reasonable. And how impossible it is that the soul has come to be able to manifest its being without making formation of the body with its members, so it is impossible for the soul to come into contemplation without performing the work of virtue.
Hearing that he must depart from the world, leave the world, To be cleansed of all that is in the world must first be cleansed to understand and learn, according to the concepts not of the common people, but purely reasonable, which means the very name – the world, From what differences is this name composed, and you are able to you will know about your soul, how far it is from the world, and what is mixed with it from the world. “The world is a name collective, embracing what is called passions. When together we want to name the passions, we call them the world; and when we want to distinguish them by difference we call them passions.
When you know what the world is, then from discernment all that is understood by it, you will also know what you are bound by with the world, and with what he renounced it. And I will say in short: the world is the life of the flesh and the wisdom of the flesh. By the very fact that man stole himself out of it, it is known that he came out of world.
Fear for the body is so strong in people that as a result, they often remain incapable to do something glorious and honorable. But when the fear for the body will penetrate fear for the soul, then fear of the body faint before the fear of the soul, like wax from the power of a burning fire.
The soul is by nature impassible. Passions are something a subordinate clause, and the soul itself is to blame for them. “If Once upon a time the nature of the soul was light and pure, because of the receiving the Divine light into themselves, and likewise so it is when it returns to primitive rank; then there is no doubt that the soul is outside of his nature, as soon as it comes into passionate motion, as the pets of the Church say.
The natural state of the soul is the knowledge of God creatures, sensual and mental. Supernatural its state is movement (or action and state) contemplation of the all-existent Divinity. Unnatural its state is the movement of the soul or its mood and life such as happens in passionate people, passions workers. Thus it is evident that the passions of the soul are not spiritual by nature.
If you want to know human secrets and have not reached Even before you know by the Spirit, you know by the speeches, way of life, and the dispositions of each. Who is pure in soul and blameless in his way of life, he is always chaste he pronounces the words of the Spirit, and according to his measure reason both about the Divine and about what is in it himself. And whoever has a heart filled with passions, he also has them the tongue is set in motion. If he begins to talk about spiritual, he will reason under the influence of passion. Wise notices such a person at the first meeting, and the pure smells its stench.
The deeds of a monk are as follows: freedom from the bodily, prayers, bodily labor, and unceasing heartfelt remembrance of God.
Prayer is one thing, and contemplation in the prayer, although prayer and contemplation borrow their origin in each other. Prayer is sowing, contemplation – a collection of handles, in which the reaper is brought to amazement at the ineffable vision, as from small and naked of the seeds sown by him, suddenly grew before him such Beautiful classrooms.
The Saviour began the work of our dispensation by fasting salvation. Likewise, all those who follow the Saviour in this foundation they affirm the beginning of their podvig, because fasting is a weapon prepared by God. “And who, if will he not be reproached for him? “If the Lawgiver Himself fasts, then how can anyone not fast of those who are obliged to comply with the law? That is why before Lent the generation man did not know victory, and the devil never experienced our defeat from our nature: but from this weapon Indeed, he was exhausted. And our Lord was the leader and the firstborn this victory, so that the head of our nature may be placed first a crown of victory. And as soon as the devil sees this weapon on the one of the people, this adversary immediately becomes frightened and the torturer, thinking and remembering his defeat in wilderness by the Saviour, and his power immediately is crushed, and the view of the weapons given to us by the Leader Ours burns him. – Clothed in the armor of fasting in all the time is inflamed with jealousy. – Who dwells in his mind is unshakable and ready to meet and reflect everything fierce passions.
Deeds and labors then bring dispassion to the soul, they kill the rods that are on the earth, and grant repose thoughts, when we partake of silence, when the the confusion produced by the impressions of external feelings. Otherwise, there can be no success in this. For if the tree watered daily, will the root ever dry out him? Does the water in the vessel in which the water decreases every day? Are they adding to it? “When man comes to silence, then the soul conveniently distinguishes between the passions, and the inner man, Stirred up to spiritual work, he conquers them, and day by day elevates the soul to purity.
When can it be said that someone has attained purity? – When all people are seen by some good and no one appears to him unclean and defiled, then truly He is pure in heart.
What is characteristic of an ascetic who dwells in the silence, in his cell? “Is he a zealous man?” and the sober soul has to ask how to lead when he is alone with himself? “What else what is the monk’s occupation in his cell, except for weeping? And what other Is the activity better than this? The very sojourn of a monk and solitude like a sojourn in a grave, far from joy human, teach him that his activity is weeping. And that’s it The saints in weeping departed from this life. “Let us to pray to the Lord to grant us weeping. For if we receive this grace, better and more excellent than other gifts, then with her help, we will achieve purity, And as soon as we reach it, it will not be taken away from us until our very end from this life.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for there is no time, if they did not delight in the sweetness of tears, in which they always see the Lord. Tears are still in their eyes, they are vouchsafed to see His revelations on the height of prayer and they have no prayer without tears. This is what it means said by the Lord: Blessed are they that mourn, for they they shall be comforted (Matt. 5:4). For when the monk was vouchsafed with With the help of tears to cross the region of passions and enter the plain purity of soul, then he will be met with consolation, which God gives to those who weep for their purity. Shedding tears and crying – the gift of the passionless. And if the tears of the weeping and complaining temporarily, can not only guide him to dispassion, but also completely purify and free his mind from the remembrance of the passions, what can be said about those who with By knowledge do they exercise themselves day and night in this work?
One of the Saints said that one becomes a friend of sin a body that fears temptations, lest it reach the point of extremes and not lose your life. Therefore, the Holy Spirit compels him to die (inspires the ascetic to condemn himself to death). For he knows that if he does not die, he will not overcome sin. If anyone wants the Lord to dwell in him, he compels to serve the Lord with his body, to work in the commandments of the Spirit, written in the Apostle, and keep your soul from the works of the flesh, described by the Apostle (Gal. 5:19). And the body, which has partaken of the sin rests in the deeds of the flesh, and the Spirit of God does not rests in its fruits. For when the body is exhausted in fasting and humility, then the soul is strengthened by prayer.
The body, when it is much oppressed by the sorrows of silence, suffers deprivations and shortcomings and is approaching the point of to lose my life, usually beg you and say: “Let me I have a little freedom to live decently; Now I walk rightly, because it has been tried by all kinds of sufferings.” And how soon from compassion thou shalt rest him from his sorrows, and bring him a few rests; it will whisper little by little to you with caresses (and his caresses are very strong): “We can live well near the world, according to the same rules, according to the what we are with now; because they have been tried in many ways. Iskushi only me, and if I am not as you wish, we can return. The wilderness will not flee from us.” “Don’t believe me To him, though he will beg him strongly, and will give many promises. It will not do what it says. When you lean on His request, will plunge you into great falls, from which you will not you will be able to get up and go out.
When you come from temptations to despondency and are satiated with them, say to yourself: “Again you lust after the unclean and shameful life.” “And if the body says to you, ‘Great It is a sin to kill yourself,” then answer him: “I kill myself, because I cannot live uncleanly. I’ll die here so that I don’t to see the true death of my soul, death to God. It is better for me to die here for the sake of chastity and not to live a bad life life in the world. I have arbitrarily chosen this death for sins their own. I kill myself, because I have sinned against the Lord; not I will provoke Him to anger more. What do I have in a life far from God? I will endure these bitterness, that I may not be alienated from the heavenly hope. What to God in my life this world, if I live in it badly, and provoke God to anger.”
It is harmful for a monk to see the world and the world. And what kind of The change takes place in the mind of someone who has been being silent with himself, he suddenly falls into whirlpool of the world, sees and hears what is unusual for him! “Let us not be deceived by those who assert that there is no There is no harm to us from hearing and seeing something as if We are the same in our thoughts both in solitude and in the world, as if Both in the cell and outside it, our modesty is not indignant, A bad change takes place with her, and when she meets faces and We do not feel the anxiety of passions. Affirm this can only be such strong in spirit, who, if wounds accept, but do not feel it. But we have not yet achieved this Health, we still have stinking wounds on us that will boil worms, if they are not cared for even one day, and they will remain unbandaged, will not be covered with plaster, and tightened with slings.
A soul that once gave itself over to God with faith and who has experienced His cooperation by many experiences, does not care but is bound by amazement and silence, and has no the opportunity to return again to the ways of their conduct and to use them in action, so as not to be deprived of God Providence, which in secret vigilantly watches over the soul, cares for it, and constantly watches over it, will lose it, because in that case it will be presumptuously dreaming that she herself can do enough to take care of oneself, according to the power of one’s knowledge.
Those in whom the light of faith shines no longer reach the such shamelessness as to ask God again for prayers, “Give us this,” or, “Take that from us,” and they do not care for themselves in the least; because spiritual with the eyes of faith they see hourly the Father’s Providence, with which they are overshadowed by that true Father, Who is immeasurably great In His love He surpasses all fatherly love, more so can and has the power to assist us to the point of abundance in more than we ask, we think and Let’s imagine.
Who has been vouchsafed to taste the sweetness of faith, and again turned to the knowledge of the soul, he becomes like the one who found it a pearl of great value, and who exchanged it for a copper ox; and Again, to him who left sovereign freedom, and who has returned to a state of poverty, full of fear and slavery.
There are three mental ways in which knowledge ascends and descends. These methods are: body, soul, spirit. There is knowledge God’s gift to the nature of rational creatures, given in the beginning at the time of creation – and it is by its nature simple and indivisible, like the light of the sun, but according to his work acquires changes and divisions. “Listen, what a the order of this work.
The first degree of knowledge. When the Lead Should carnal lust, then it brings together the following methods: wealth, vanity, adornment, bodily rest, Concern for verbal wisdom fit for rule in the world and exuding renewal in inventions, arts, and sciences, and everything else with which the body is crowned in this visible world. “And according to these distinctive features, the knowledge is made contrary to the faith. – And it is called bare knowledge; because it excludes all Divine care, and cause of the predominance of the body, brings into the mind an irrational impotence, and all his care is for this world alone.This is the conception of itself of this knowledge: as if it were the mental power that secretly rules man, the divine care that watches over him, and completely for him baking. Therefore it does not ascribe it to God’s Providence the rule of the world, but all that is good in man, his salvation from harmful to him, and his natural warning against difficult and from many disgusts, secretly and openly that accompany our nature, seem to him to be the consequence of his own diligence and his own methods.Such is the concept of self-mocking knowledge. It dreams, that everything happens according to his providence; And in this it agrees with the asserting that there is no control over this world. However, not it can remain without unceasing care and without fear for the body, and therefore faint-heartedness and sorrow take possession of it, despair, fear of demons, fear of people, rumor about robbers, rumors of deaths, care in sickness, care in poverty and lack of necessities, fear the fear of suffering, and of evil beasts, and all the rest, similar to this, which makes knowledge like the sea, which hourly day and night are troubled and rush to the swimmers of the wave.For this knowledge does not know how to take care of itself in God in the hope of faith in Him, it is constantly is busy with tricks and inventing means for everything that concerns himself. When the methods of its inventions in any one case will turn out to be invalid, but the mysterious Providence in this it does not see, then it disputes with people who hinder and resist him. In this respect, in the knowledge of By this is planted the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which uproots love. “In him there is a quality of arrogance and pride. – It boasts, and yet walks in darkness – and appreciates his possessions in comparison with that which is on earth, and are not knows that there is something better than him.
The second degree of knowledge.* When a person, leaving the first degree, he is busy with spiritual thoughts and wishes; then, in the light of the nature of the soul, the following excellent deeds: fasting, prayer, almsgiving, the reading of the Divine Scriptures, a virtuous life, a struggle with passions, and so on. For all good deeds, all beautiful differences seen in the soul, and wonderful ways, used for service in the court of Christ, in this second the degree of knowledge, in the work of his power, is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. And it is in it that it shows the heart the paths that lead us to faith gathers parting words for the true age.* After repentance, the labors of good deeds and asceticism, in the form of purification of the heart, with the help of grace of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit.But even here knowledge is still bodily and complex. It contains only the path that leads and leads us to faith. There is also a higher the degree of knowledge. And if anyone succeeds, he will find the possibility, with the help of Christ, to be raised to the when he lays the foundation of his work in the silent in the reading of the Scriptures, in prayer, and in the rest good deeds by which everything related to the Second Leading. And it is by him that all that is beautiful is accomplished; it and is called the conduct of business; for by sensual deeds, through the bodily senses, he does his work on the external degree.
The third degree of knowledge is the degree of perfection. Listen now to how a man becomes refined, acquires spirituality, and is likened in life to the invisible to the forces that do not perform their service sensually deeds that are performed, but performed by the care of the mind. When knowledge rises above earthly things and above the care of earthly work, and will begin to test his thoughts in what is hidden from the eyes within, and grief will stretch out and follow faith in the care of the age to come, and in lust promised to us, and in the search for hidden mysteries; then Faith itself absorbs this knowledge, and turns, and gives birth it is done again, so that it is wholly made by the spirit.Then it can soar on wings in the area of incorporeal, to touch the depths of the intangible sea, imagining in the mind the Divine and wondrous actions of government in natures mental and sensual beings, and seeks out spiritual mysteries comprehended by a simple and subtle mind. Then the internal feelings are awakened for spiritual work according to the order, what will be immortality and incorruptibility in this life; because Still in this world, as if in secret, the mental resurrection took place, into a true witness to the universal resurrection.
Here are three ways of leading. “Ever since man begins to distinguish evil from good, and until he comes out He is from this world, the knowledge of his soul abides in these three measures. And the fullness of all unrighteousness and wickedness, and the fullness truth, and to touch the depths of all the mysteries of the spirit, produces a single knowledge in the three said measures, and in it every movement of the mind is contained when it ascends or descends He is in good, or in evil, or in the middle between good and evil. These are the measures called by the Fathers: natural, the unnatural and the supernatural. And these are the three The Directions in which Mindfulness Is Raised and Lowered rational soul, when, according to what has been said, or by nature, it does who admires the truth, or above nature, admires it by remembrance, in the contemplation of God outside of nature, or proceeds from the to feed swine, as one who has squandered his wealth prudence, working with a multitude of demons.
The first degree of knowledge cools the soul for deeds procession according to God. The second warms the soul for a rapid flow to that which is on the degree of faith. The third is repose from the In a single exercise of the mind, enjoying the mysteries of the future. But as our nature cannot yet completely to rise above the state of deadness and the burden of the flesh, then, As long as man lives in the flesh, he remains in the transitional state from one to another. Like a wretched beggar, the soul begins to serve him in the second, middle degree virtue; then, like those who have received the spirit of sonship, sacrament of freedom, enjoys spiritual grace, according to the the dignity of Him who gives it; and again returns to humility of his deeds done with the help of the body. For in the age imperfect, there is no perfect freedom.
The work of knowledge in the second degree consists in doing and continuing exercise; His work is on the third degree is the work of faith, which is not done by works, but is filled with spiritual ideas, in the purely spiritual doing; and it is above the senses. – But we do not understand faith the one that a person has in reasoning the difference venerable Divine Hypostases, and the wondrous economy in embodiment by the perception of our nature, – although this faith is extremely lofty; – but faith, shining in the soul from the light of grace, to the wise Who strengthens the heart with testimony, so that it may not be shaken it is in the certainty of hope, far from any doubt. AND This faith is revealed not in the increase in the hearing of the ears, but in the spiritual eyes that see the mysteries hidden in the soul, the invisible Divine riches, hidden from the eyes of the sons of the flesh, and revealed by the Spirit to those who are nourished from the table Christ, in the teaching of the law of Christ, as he said Lord: If you keep My commandments, I will send you the Comforter The Spirit, the Spirit of truth, Whom the world cannot receive, and Him you will teach all truth (John 14:17, 26).
There is another difference in knowledge. A knowledge that deals with the visible, or accepts with the senses what is transmitted from the visible, is called natural. And the knowledge that deals with the power of the mental and within himself with the natures of beings bodiless, is called spiritual; because the feeling is accepted by the spirit, and not by the senses. And because of these two (the sensation of visible and spiritual things), both knowledge is in the soul from without. And the knowledge given by Divine power, is called supernatural; and it more than it is known, and beyond knowledge. And the contemplation of this knowledge the soul does not receive from the substance that is outside of it, as in the former two jurisdictions; but within it itself is immaterial, tune, soon and beyond expectation, it is revealed and revealed from the the inwardness itself; for according to the word of Christ, the kingdom of heaven is within you (Luke 17:21), – does not nourish hope by foreshadowing, comes, but within the image imprinted in the innermost mind, reveals itself, without thinking about The first knowledge is the result of incessant occupation. and prudent learning; the second is the consequence of good life and rational faith; and the third is given by lot to faith alone; by which knowledge is abolished and deeds come to an end.
Do not doubt the power of the prayers of our verse, when during prayers, or hourly reading, there is no behind them is a strong excitement and unceasing contrition.
The word spoken from experience must be accepted, although who uttered it and was not a man of letters; because even the royal treasures, though greater than anything else on earth, do not despise by taking in addition an ox taken from a beggar; and rivers are flooded from small streams and become great in its course.
Remembrance of the good and remembrance of the bad, as if finger, point out to us, either the shame of our thoughts, or to the height of our life, and each according to its kind strengthens in our thoughts and movements, either right hand or right. We are they are occupied with them in the mystery of our minds; but in this mental occupation the fate of our life is depicted, and in it we can see ourselves.
There is love like a small lamp nourished by with oil, with the exhaustion of which the lamp is extinguished, – or rain flow, the flow of which ceases from the depletion of its component rainwater. But there is love, like a spring gushing out of the earth, never impoverished. The first is human love; and the second Divine, having God as its culprit.
Do you want to enjoy a poem during the service? and comprehend the meaning of the words of the Spirit that you speak? – Put aside the number of poems completely, Do not take into account the knowledge of measure in verse, leave the usual thunder; but immerse thy mind in the study of words Until your soul is stirred up to higher understandings, and Through this he will not be moved to praise, or to useful sorrow. – In slavish work (in reading only there is no peace of mind; but confusion usually takes away taste of meaning and understanding, and plunders thoughts. Embarrassment It is proper to call the devil a chariot, because Satan has the custom, like a rider, to sit on his mind, to take from a heap of passions, and with them enter the unfortunate soul, and to plunge her into embarrassment.
Do not contradict the thoughts instilled in you by the enemy, but it is better to interrupt the conversation with them with a prayer to God. Not every time we have the power to so rebuke those who oppose us thoughts in order to stop them; on the contrary, in such a In this case, we often get an ulcer from them, which for a long time You can’t cure it. In spite of all your wisdom and all yours prudence, the enemies will have time to strike you. But when thou shalt conquer them; and then the impurity of thoughts will defile the mind yours, and the stench of their stench will remain in your sense of smell for a long time yours. By using the first method, you will be free from everything and from fear; for there is no other help but God.
When during your stay in the cell silence, you turn to needlework; Do not turn to the fatherly commandments into a veil for his love of money. In order to avoid despondency, let you have a small matter that does not disturb you mind; but do not forget that prayer in its rank is above all.
Be sure that your Guardian is always with you, – and that together with other creatures you also stand under the one Lord, Who with a single wave brings all things into the movement, and arranges everything. Stand bravely and Be of good cheer. Neither demons, nor destructive beasts, nor vicious people cannot do their will to harm you and destruction, if the will of the Ruling One does not allow it, and does not will give this place to a certain extent. Therefore speak to the soul “I have a Guardian who protects me; and none of creatures cannot appear before me, except it be a command from above. But if it is the will of my Lord, so that the evil ones may prevail over creation, then I accept this not grieving as one who does not wish that the will of my Lord should be done remained unfulfilled.” Thus in thy temptations thou shalt be filled with joy, as one who has seen and exactly who is aware that the Lord governs and disposes of you wave. So strengthen your heart with hope in the Lord.
Keeping the tongue not only makes the mind perk up to God, but also manifest deeds performed with the help of the body, in secret gives great power to perform them, and also enlightens and in secret work, as the Fathers used to say, because keeping one’s lips makes one’s conscience rise to God if only one observes silence with knowledge.
Any thought of good desire will be followed by jealousy, which in its fervor is likened to fiery coals; and it usually guards this thought, and does not allows any resistance, obstacle and obstacle. It is virtue, without which good is not produced. Someone, clothed in Christ, he called this jealousy a dog and a watchman of the law of God.This power of jealousy is awakened in two ways, is strengthened and inflamed, for the safekeeping of the house (soul), – and is also exhausted in two ways, drowsiness and laziness.Its awakening and ignition occurs (in the first place) when A man thinks of some fear, who makes him fear for the good he has gained, or intends to acquire it, that it may not be stolen; or destroyed. When this fear is aroused, then jealousy day and night burn like a blazing furnace – and, like the cherubim, he constantly hearkens to what is around him, and zealously guards his own good, from all enemy temptations and inside.And there is another way of inflaming this zeal, when the desire for virtue grows most in the soul. AND To the extent that this lust grows in the soul, to the same extent zeal for virtue is also kindled.The first reason to cool it down is when it is in the shower the very desire for good will diminish or cease; a the second reason is when some thought enters the soul confidence and courage and will be established in it, and A person will hope, think, and hold on to the thought that there is no reason for him to be afraid of being harmed by any power; therefore he lays down the instrument of jealousy, and there is a house without guards, the dog falls asleep, and leaves the guards for a long time.Both are due to the fact that some the most subtle thought of pride, and nestled there; or man has become more devoted to the care of the transitory, or frequent seductive communication with the world. Or this comes from the womb, this mistress of all evil. Each time As an ascetic enters into communion with the world, his soul immediately He is exhausted. The same thing happens when he comes together with many, who, through vanity, inevitably crush his soul. Mind ascetic who enters into communion with the world, is likened to to the helmsman, who calmly walks on the sea, and suddenly falls into the middle of underwater rocks and crashes.
To prefer a good will is the work of the willing; to complete the choice of a good will is the work of God. For this person has need of God’s help. Let’s do it so that the good will that arises in us may be followed frequent prayers, with a request not only to help us, but also to show whether this desire is pleasing to the will of God, or no. For not every good desire enters into the heart from God, but only that which is useful.
Sometimes a person desires good, but God does not help him; for sometimes a desire similar to this comes from the of the devil, not for our benefit, but for our harm, – or because that the desired deed is beyond our measure, since we have not yet attained of the life corresponding to it, or because it is alien to the image we have taken upon ourselves, or because the time has not yet come when it is possible to fulfill it, or to begin Its fulfillment, either because we have no knowledge, nor bodily strength sufficient for him, – or therefore, that the circumstances of the time do not contribute to us in this. The devil, meanwhile, contrives in every possible way to embellish such a matter plausibility, in order to persuade him to upset the spiritual peace, or harm the body. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully to discuss good wishes. It is better to do everything with advice.
Virtue is the mother of sorrow; From sorrow is born humility; Humility is given grace. And retribution later there is no longer virtue, and I do not work for its sake, but humility born of them. If it is lost, then The first will be in vain.
The Lord demands not only the doing of the commandments, but more than the correction of the soul, for which He legitimized the commandments. – The body acts equally in the right and in the hands; d. and at the same time he is right or sins, judging by the mood.
Giving without temptations is ruin for who accept it. If you do good before God, He also gives you have a gift; beg Him to give you the ability to humble yourself, as it is fitting for you, or to set a guard over you gift, or take it from you, so that it will not be for the cause of your destruction. For it is not profitable for everyone to keep wealth.
Virtues are associated with sorrows. Who leaves sorrows, he is undoubtedly separated from virtue. If if you desire virtue, then give yourself over to every sorrow. For sorrows give birth to humility. Until we reach the true Until then, through temptations, we will approach the humility. Whoever abides in his virtue without sorrow, the door of pride is open to him.
When a person is in pride, then he withdraws from him is the providential Angel, Who is near him and arouses in him the care of righteousness. When a person shall offend this angel, and he shall depart from him; the stranger (the spirit of darkness) draws near to him, and from that time is no longer for him to care for righteousness.
God often allows the virtuous have been tempted by anything, – permits that from everywhere temptations have risen up against them, and smites them in their body, as Job, he plunges them into poverty, he does what he does to depart from them mankind, smites them in what they have acquired; only harm does not approach their souls. “And It is impossible that, when we walk the path of truth, we should not meet Sorrow is with us, the body is not exhausted in illnesses and labors, – and remained unchanged, if only we love to live in virtue. – When a person makes his procession along the God, and something like this will meet with him; then not It is fitting for him to deviate from his path, but he must with joy, without inquisitiveness, to accept it and to thank God, that He sent him this grace, and he was vouchsafed for God’s sake to fall into temptation, and to become an accomplice in suffering with Prophets, Apostles and other Saints, for the sake of this way who have endured sorrows. From people, from demons, from the body if temptations come upon him, let this be a reason for him to thanksgiving. For it is impossible that God should to dwell with Him except by showing a good deed, and not by sending temptations against him for the sake of truth; As a man can become worthy of this greatness, i.e. It is impossible to enter into temptation and rejoice without the grace of Christ.This matter is so great that St. Paul clearly calls gift, when a person is vouchsafed to suffer for the sake of hope in God, saying to the Philippians, “I have been given of God you not only believe in Him, but also according to Him to suffer (Philippians 1:29). Likewise, St. Peter wrote in His epistle: When you suffer for righteousness’ sake, blessed are you (1 Pet. 3:14), – because we have become partakers of the passion of Christ.It behooves thee, while thou hast lived extensively; to rejoice, but in sorrows to bow to the face, and to honor them strangers to the way of God. For his path is from everlasting and from generations is laid down by the cross and death. And where did you get such an idea from? (is it cool to walk in the way of God)? “Find out from this that you are outside the way of God and depart from it, you do not want to follow the footprints of the Saints, or you intend to arrange for yourself another a special path, and to walk along it without suffering. The way of God is Daily Cross. No one ascended to heaven while living It’s cool. “As for the cool path, we know where it is ends.
True righteous people always think within themselves that they are unworthy of God, and the very fact that they are true the righteous, it is evident from the fact that they confess themselves accursed and unworthy of God’s care, and confess this secretly and openly, and they contrive to do this by the Holy Spirit, so that to remain in labor and distress as long as they are in this life. And the time of rest God has preserved for them in the age to come. And having the Lord who lives in them, therefore they themselves do not wish to be in the peace and to be freed from sorrow, although at times it is given they are mysteriously consoled in spiritual things.
It is the will of the Spirit that His beloved should abide in works. It is not the Spirit of God that dwells in those who dwell in the peace. This is what distinguishes the sons of God from the rest, that they live in sorrows; And the world is proud of luxury and peace. He did not favor God that His beloved may rest while they are in the body, but rather that they should remain in sorrow while they are in the world, in burden, in labor, in poverty, in nakedness, in need, in need, in humiliation, insults, in a weary body, in sorrowful thoughts, so that what was said would be fulfilled in them: in the world sorrow ye shall be (John 16:33). The Lord knows that it is impossible for those who dwell in rest to abide in His love, and therefore he denies them peace and pleasure in it.
Because of the love that the Saints showed to God, suffering for His name, their hearts acquire boldness to behold on God with an uncovered face, and ask Him with hope. – Great is the power of daring prayer. Therefore, he allows God, that His Saints might be tempted with all sorrow, and they also experienced His help, and how much He provides, God is about them. As a result of temptations, they acquire wisdom, and From experience they will draw knowledge of everything, so as not to endure ridicule from demons. If God would exercise them in one thing good, they would lack training in another part, and in the they would be blind.
If a person is not first tempted by a trial bad, he has no taste in good, so that when will meet in evil good, take advantage of it with knowledge, as your property. How pleasant is the knowledge, borrowed by the very act from experience and from exercise, and what power it gives to him who, by long-term experience, He has acquired it in himself – this is known those who have known the contribution of this knowledge, as well as the weakness of nature and the help of Divine power, – and convinced of this. For only then will they know this, when God, having first withheld His power from cooperating with them, brings them into the awareness of the weakness of nature, the difficulty of temptations, and deceit the enemy, and the one with whom they are fighting, with whom they are clothed nature, and how they were protected by the Divine power, as many as have completed the paths as far as God’s power has exalted them, and how many they are weak in the struggle with any passion, if this power of God departs from them, so that from all things by this they acquire humility, they draw near to God, they begin to wait for His help and remain in prayer. And from where They would have occupied all this if they had not gained experience in many things evil, having fallen into this evil by God’s permission, as he says The Apostle: For the many revelations let me not be exalted, Thou hast given unto me the foul man of the flesh, Aggel Satan” (2 Corinthians 12:12, 7)? But in temptations, repeatedly testing God’s help, a person also acquires firm faith; What is done from fearless and acquires complacency in temptations.
Temptation is beneficial to every person. Ascetics they are tempted in order to add something to wealth to his own; paralyzed in order to protect themselves from harm; immersed in sleep, that they may prepare themselves for awakening; those who stand far off, so that they may draw near to God; our own to God, so that they may rejoice with boldness. “Everyone An untrained son receives wealth from his Father’s house, except in the self-benefit. That is why God first tempts and torments, and then he also shows his talent.
A person, while in negligence, fears the hour of death; a when he draws near to God, he fears the meeting of judgment, but when will be wholly absorbed in the former, then love will swallow him up and another fear. “Why is that?” – Because for now A person remains in knowledge and bodily life, he is terrified death. But when he is in spiritual knowledge and in life good, then his mind is occupied every hour with the remembrance of the future court; since it stands by its nature, it moves in spiritual rank, is engaged in his knowledge and life, and is well-equipped in order to draw near to God. But when will attain this knowledge of the truth, after being aroused in it the knowledge of the mysteries of God and after the confirmation of the hope of the future; then this corporeal man is swallowed up by love, like to an animal that feareth the slaughter, and to a man of understanding that feareth the judgment of God; but he who has become a son is adorned with love, and not He admonishes the frightening one with a rod, saying: “I am also a house my father we shall serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).
Blessed is he whose thoughts are always on God, and who are with Him one dwells in the conversation of his knowledge. Joy in God stronger than this life; and whoever has found it not only does not will look at suffering, but will not even look at life his own. Love is sweeter than life, and understanding according to God, from of which love is born, even sweeter than honey and honeycomb. Love is not sorrow, to accept a heavy death for those who love. Love is the offspring of knowledge; and knowledge is a product spiritual health, and spiritual health is strength, resulting from prolonged patience.
Eternal life is consolation in God; and who has found consolation in God, he considers the consolation of the world superfluous.If anyone has received wisdom from the Spirit, he will know from the very wisdom, which in his innermost and in his feelings teaches him humble morals.Whether anyone has attained humility, he will know from this, if he finds to please the world with one’s own abominable oneself by one’s communion with it, or in a word; and if in his eyes the glory of this world is hateful.
Passions (in action) are attachments, which, being produced by the things of this world, carry away under the pretext of needs, to satisfy the needs of life; and These additions do not cease as long as this world stands. But a man who has been vouchsafed Divine grace has tasted and has sensed something higher than this, does not allow these attachments enter into his heart; because instead of them, the their other, better lust, and not to his heart Neither these very attachments nor those which they engender are approaching, but they remain inactive, not because there are no longer passionate attachments, but because the one who accepts them the heart is dead to them and lives in something else; Not because man has calmed down as a result of keeping his prudence and works, but because there is no anxiety in his mind from anything, his consciousness is saturated, having enjoyed something else.
If we keep the law of sobriety and the work of prudence in knowledge, then the struggle with the passionate will not approach the mind at all. It is forbidden enter into the heart as a consequence not of struggle, but of satiety consciousness and knowledge with which the soul is filled, and wondrous desires, found in the soul, contemplations.As long as man lives, has need of sobriety, care and cheerfulness in order to guard one’s own treasure. But if he leaves the limit assigned to him (fasting), then he will become weak and will be robbed.Not only do you have to work until you see fetus; but one must strive until the very end. For often the ripe fruit is suddenly beaten by hail.
If we accustom ourselves to good reflection (teaching) in the heart); then let us be ashamed of the passions, as soon as We will meet them. But let us be ashamed of approaching passions and because of their guilt.
When, out of love for God, you wish to do some deed, set death as the limit of this desire; and thus, on In fact, you will be vouchsafed to ascend to the level of martyrdom in struggle with every passion, and you will not suffer any harm from what will meet you within this limit, if you endure to the end, and you will not relax. The Thinking of the Weak the strength of patience also makes the intellect weak: but a firm mind and to him who follows his thoughts, imparts a power that is not nature.
The life of this world is like the inscription of letters on tablets; and when anyone wills and wills, he adds to them also decreases, and makes a change in the letters. And the life to come is like handwritings written on blank scrolls, sealed with the royal seal, in which it is no longer allowed to neither addition nor subtraction. Therefore, while we are among the changes, let us be attentive to ourselves and as long as we have power over the the manuscript of our life, which we write with our own hands, let us try to supplement it with a good life, and to erase in him the shortcomings of his former life. For while we are in of this world, God does not apply the seal either to the good or to the good evil, until the very hour of his departure from this life.
Prayer needs exercise in order for the mind to become wise long-term stay in it. The prayer is preceded by hermitage (solitude, distraction of thoughts from everything third-party). Hermitage is necessary for the sake of prayer, and prayer – in order to acquire the love of God for us; Therefore, that as a result of prayer reasons are sought to love God.
We must know that every conversation with God, done in secret, every care of a good mind for God, all meditation on spiritual things is established by prayer, and is called by the name of prayer, and under this name it is reduced to whether you understand the different readings, or the voice lips in praise of God, or solicitous sorrow for the Lord, or bodily prostrations, or psalmody, or all the rest, from from which the entire rite of genuine prayer is composed, from which the love of God is born; because love comes from prayer, and prayer from being in solitude; In solitude we have need in order that we may be able to make it more convenient to converse with God.
Guard yourself from self-conceit during the good in you changes. Your weakness and your ignorance in reasoning diligently reveal the subtleties of this self-conceit to the Lord in prayer, so that you will not be abandoned and tempted in something shameful; for pride is followed by fornication, and conceit is followed by seduction.
When you put all other things on one side ascetic, and on the other – silence, then you will find, that it outweighs on the scales. People have a lot of advice; but when someone draws near to silence, it will be superfluous for him and the former works will be superfluous, and the former works will be superfluous, and he himself will be found to have surpassed these works; because approached perfection.
May alms always prevail over you. Our Let mercy be a mirror to see in ourselves that likeness, and that true image which is in God nature and essence of God. The heart is cruel and the unmerciful will never be cleansed. A merciful man – the doctor of his soul; for as if by a strong wind from the Inwardly, he disperses the darkening of the passions. This, according to To the Gospel word of life, a good debt given by us as a loan to God.
When you approach your bed, say to her: “In this night, perhaps you will be my coffin, the bed; and not I know if he will not come upon me this night, instead of sleeping temporary, eternal future sleep.” Therefore, while you have feet, follow the work before you are bound with chains, that cannot be resolved. As long as you have fingers; crucify yourself in prayer before death comes. As long as you have eyes; fill them with tears before they are covered with dust. Like a rose, as soon as the wind blows on it, withers; So if you breathe on one of the elements inside you, of those who are of thy body, thou shalt die. Put it, man, on the in your heart, that your departure is about to take place, and Say unceasingly to yourself: – “Behold, he who has already come has come at the door A messenger is behind me. Why am I sitting? – My resettlement forever; There will be no refund.
Whoever loves communion with Christ loves to be solitary. And whoever likes to stay with many is a friend of this world. If you love repentance, love silence as well. For outside Silence, repentance does not reach perfection. If you love silence is the mother of repentance, then with pleasure Love the little bodily harm, and the reproaches, and the insults that will pour down on you for silence. Commitment to silence is the unceasing expectation of death. Who without this thought enters into silence, he cannot bear what is inevitably associated with this way of life.
Let us love silence until the world is slain in our hearts. Let us always remember death, and in this thinking of drawing near to God with our hearts, – and the pleasures of the world will become contemptible for us.
One of the silent ones said: “I strive in silence, so that verses may be enjoyed for me at the reading and prayer. And when from pleasure at the understanding of them my tongue shall be silent; then, as if in a dream, I come to a state of compression of my feelings and thoughts. And when, at the time of duration of this silence my heart will be stilled from revolt of memories, then waves are sent to me incessantly joy with inner thoughts, beyond expectation suddenly coming to the delight of my heart.”
Another said: “Silence cuts off prepositions and reasons for new thoughts, and within his walls he brings to the dilapidation and withering of the memory of what we had previously undertaken. AND When the old substances in thought become obsolete, then the mind, correcting them, he returns to his rank.”
Another also says: “Choose for yourself a delightful work – unceasing vigil at night, during which all the fathers cast off the old man, and were vouchsafed renewal mind. In these hours the soul senses this immortal life, and by the sensation of it he casts off the garment of darkness and takes it into himself of the Holy Spirit.”
And again: “These (external) feelings are to be subordinated to the power of the soul it is impossible without silence and alienation from people; because the rational soul, being essentially united and associated with these feelings, them and one’s own thoughts, under the impression of them is involuntarily carried away if a person is not awake in secret prayer.”
As an ear grows from the seed of the sweat of fasting chastity, so from satiety – lustful burning, and from satiety – impurity. With a hungry and humble belly shameful thoughts do not penetrate into the soul in any way.
How your beauty and chastity are enlightened, reclining on the bare ground, the labor of hunger, which takes away sleep, the suffering of the flesh, which, while abstaining from food, between the ribs and the belly it becomes like a deep ditch! Every food that we accept inside, and every repose of the flesh form in us shameful and ugly daydreaming; and they, being generated, irritate us to the secret inclination to shameful deeds. And the emptiness of the womb and our thoughts makes it a desolate country, not disturbed by thoughts, and silent from all rebellious thoughts.
Some necessary instructions to the silent: If during different services, you are, if possible, far from the soaring of the mind, and suddenly the verse is cut short at tongue, and upon thy soul he layeth the fetters of silence, without participation in your freedom, and this will follow a long-term by remaining in silence; then know that you are in your silence Thou hast stretched forward, and that meekness has begun in thee go deeper. For simple silence in truth is worthy condemnation.If you notice in your soul that with every in her thoughts, at each remembrance, and at the time of contemplations, which are in thy silence, thy eyes are filled with tears, and tears flow down the to thy cheeks; then know that it has begun to be done before thee opening an obstacle to the ruin of the opposing ones.If you find within yourself that at times your thought, without of a preliminary invention about it, out of the usual order, sinks into you, and remains in this state for about hours, or any amount of time, and then you notice that the world reigns in your thoughts – and it is the same it is always repeated with you; then know that the cloud is the beginning overshadow your tabernacle.But if, when thou hast entered upon this work, thou hast not found peace from the disturbing passions; then don’t be surprised. If the bowels of the world, the sun’s rays are removed from it, it remains dark for a long time, also the smell of medicine and the aroma of myrrh, which spills over into the air, remain for a long time before they dissipate and they will perish; how much more passions, like dogs that are accustomed lick the blood in the butcher’s shop when they are not given ordinary food, they stand and bark until the power of their former habit is broken.But when you stretch forward, the following Thou shalt find the obvious signs close in thy soul: thou shalt be to be strengthened in all things by hope, and enriched by prayer, Everyone who serves for the benefit of your mind will never fail when you meet people and feel the weakness of nature human (each such case will protect you from pride), the shortcomings of one’s neighbor will become unworthy attention in thine eyes, thou desirest to go out of the body with the same desire with which he would have remained in the of the age to come, of every sorrowful adventure, who meets you openly and secretly, you will find that justice and judgment have all these things come nigh unto thee, and you will give thanks to God for this.
Passions are set in motion or by some images, or feeling without images, and memory at first without images passionate movements and thoughts, which then produces irritation.
There is always vigil with reading, and after it there are frequent prostrations will not delay the zealous in giving good to the worldly disposition of the heart. And whoever has found it, has gained it precisely by these means. Those who want to buy it again have a need to remain in silence, and at the same time in doing what has been said; First of all, they need nothing but their souls to be attached to one’s thoughts, and to exercise oneself in the inner work, and in the reasoning of the deeds themselves, to exercise in those namely, in which we find especially close to ourselves a certain feeling that affirms us in a good mood.
In every rational nature without number there are change, and every person is happening every hour changes. A prudent person can be wise in understanding this, making tests on himself; if he sobers up, and observe himself in his mind, he will easily find out what when the change accepts his thought, and how suddenly from state of peace is confused and for what reasons.About this also St. Macarius wrote for the instruction of the brethren, so that, during the change to the opposite, they did not fall into despair; For even with those who stand on the degree of purity, as with the air cooling, there are always falls from the best in the worse state, while there is no negligence in them, or indulgences for oneself; on the contrary, even when they observe they are in their rank, such descents happen to them, contrary to the intention of one’s own will.The same is affirmed by Bl. Mark, saying, “Changes in everyone is like in the air.” In each, i.e., not in inferior and inferior, but also in the perfect. Like in nature there is cold, and soon afterwards there is heat, and there is also hail and not a bucket much later: so it happens in our exercise, then warfare, then help from grace; Sometimes the soul is in storm and fierce waves rise up against it, and again a change takes place, because grace visits and fills the human heart with joy and peace from God, chaste and peaceful thoughts.
And so, when you are overwhelmed, do not despair, – and when you are overshadowed by the world, do not be exalted. On the contrary, it is better to consider in yourself impure thoughts and those unseemly images, which have been established in your mind in a time of turmoil, in an hour of confusion and disorder thoughts; – Think about the speed at which thou hast deviated into passions, and conversed with them in the darkening of the mind; and know that all this has been brought upon us by God to our humility The providence that provides and arranges for each of us, what is useful to whom.
Humility even without podvig makes many sins forgivable; Without humility, even podvigs are useless, even they prepare much evil for us. As salt is to all food, humility for every virtue. To purchase it it is necessary to constantly grieve with thought with humiliation and judicious illness. And if we acquire it, then it will make us sons of God.
Our Lord has indicated the support of our weakness in prayer, saying, Awake, watch and pray, that ye may not enter into the to attack (Matt. 26:41). Pray and be not lazy, always watching and praying (Col. 4:2, 3). Ask, and ye shall receive: seek, and ye shall find: pound, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who interprets it will be opened (Matt. 7:7, 8), Especially He confirmed this word of His own, and to greater diligence He taught us the parable of the friend who came to the to his friend, and asked him for bread. The Lord saith, Amen, I say unto you, if he give him not, he hath no friend; but because of his lack of grace, he will give him what he requires (Luke 11:8). And you pray, and do not be slothful. What an unspeakable urge to boldness!
The Lord knows that before death He will not take away from the our ability to evade, which is very close to us change, namely, the transition from virtue to vice, which man and his nature take into themselves the opposite; Why He commanded us to be careful and to strive in the everlasting prayer. And not only for the sake of protecting themselves from the obvious He commanded us to pray; but also because of the subtlety and the incomprehensibility of what always meets with us, and not is embraced by the knowledge of our mind in those states in which Often we are not arbitrary. For, although thoughts are very they are firm and clinging to good; but His Providence repeatedly leaves us in the limit of temptation, and plunges us into temptation in them, as Blessed Paul said: “Thou hast given me a foul man flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
This world is a contest and a field for contests. This time is a time of struggle. And during the struggle, and during the competition, there is no law, i.e. the Tsar does not establish to their warriors of the limit, until the contest is over, and every man is brought to the door of the King of Kings, and there tested, whether he won the competition, or turned the backbone his own. There is only one law here – to be awake and to resist. Let us not neglect prayer, and let us not be lazy to ask for help from the Lord, without Whom we cannot create nothing pleasing to Him. “We’ll keep it firmly in the thought that while we are in this world, we are left in the flesh, although ascend to the firmament, but we can remain without work and labor, and to be without care.
The perfection of this field consists in the following: repentance, purity and self-perfection. (Repentant enters into a struggle with the passions, and struggles until the heart will be cleansed of them; Purification of the heart is the limit struggle, and the door to the realm of perfection).
Someone was asked: “What is repentance?” and answered: “abandonment of the former and sorrow for it”; See also: “The Heart contrite and humble.”
And he was also asked: “How can a man acquire humility?” and said: “By unceasing remembrance of his sins and nearness of death, poor clothing, that at all times he may prefer the last place, and in the in any case, willingly take upon himself the most recent affairs and those who are despised, not to be disobedient, but to preserve silence – not to like to go to meetings, to desire to remain unknown and unelected, is not to keep any thing in one’s own possession, – to hate conversation with many people – not to love profits, and in addition to this, to be higher in one’s mind than not to blame and accuse every person, and above envy – not to be the kind of person whose hands were on all, and on which would be the hands of all, but one in the solitude to do your own thing, and not to take on caring for anything in the world except oneself. In short to say: pilgrim life, poverty, and sojourn in solitude – this is what humility is born from and purified heart.”
The sign of those who have attained perfection is this: if ten times a day they shall be given up to be burned for love to their neighbors, they will not be satisfied with this, as Moses showed (Exodus 32:32), and Bl. Paul (Rom. 9:3), and others The Apostles. – God gave His Son over to death on the cross, out of love for the creature. And if He had anything more precious things, and these things He would give us, that by this we might gain Himself a generation ours. Imitating this, all the Saints, striving for perfection, they strive to become like God in perfection love for one’s neighbor.
No one can ascend to the level of this love unless he will secretly feel his hope. Cannot purchase love for people are those who love this world. When whoever acquires love, together with love puts on Himself God. And he who has acquired God needs not only not to agree to acquire something else with Him, but also to put off his body. But if someone is clothed with love for the world into this world and into this life; then he will not put on God until will not forsake it. For God himself has testified these things; saying, Unless any man forsake this, and do not he shall hate his own soul, and my disciple cannot be (Luke 2:11). 14, 26). One must not only abandon it, but also hate it.
Why is hope so sweet, and all things with it? Are they easy? “Because at this hour the to the soul of the Saints there is a natural desire (for well-being), and hope He gives them this to drink in the monastery from his cup, and makes them drunk. That is why they no longer feel the work, but do insensitive to labors, to sorrows, and throughout the of their procession, they think that their procession is carried out as if they were they walk in the air, and not in human footsteps; because the difficulty of the path is invisible to them, there are no hills before them, and streams, and they are smooth in their way (Isaiah 40:4). Their attention is turned to the bosom of their Father, and the very Hope, as if with a finger, points to them at every moment distant and invisible, yet visible to the innermost eye faith, and with the desire for this distant, as if with fire, he kindles all parts of the soul. All their aspiration extends there thoughts, and there they always hasten to reach. “Thus hope kindles them as with fire, and they cannot to rest in the swift and incessant current, performed with joy.
Impassibility does not consist only in not feeling passions, but also in not taking them into oneself. In the consequence of many and different virtues, manifest and hidden passions, acquired by the Saints, were exhausted in and cannot easily rise up against the soul, and the mind does not have them it is necessary to be constantly attentive in their reasoning; for at all times he is filled with thoughts, which are are aroused in the mind by thought and conversation about the most excellent morals. And how soon they begin to get excited passions, the mind is suddenly delighted by the approach to them then by understanding that has penetrated into the mind; and passions, as Bl. Mark, remain idle in them, as it were.
The mind, by the grace of God, fulfilling the virtuous deeds, and having approached knowledge, he feels little that constitutes the evil and irrational part of the soul. For knowledge He raptures him on high, and alienates him from everything that is in the world. AND because of the integrity of the Saints, and the subtlety of the Saints, agility, and the acuteness of their minds, and also because of their podvig, their minds are purified, and are enlightened, dryness of their flesh. And, as a result of teaching them silence and of a long stay in it, is easy and quick each inner contemplation, and amazes them contemplated. At the same time, they usually abound contemplations, and their minds are never lacking in objects of understanding, and they never exist without the fact that produces in them the fruit of the Spirit. Long-term skill their memories are blotted out in their hearts, with which passions are stirred up in the heart, and the strength is weakened of the devil’s power. For when the soul is not friends with the passions thinking about them, then, since she is constantly busy other care, the power of the passions cannot be in its claws to restrain her spiritual feelings.
How self-conceit carries the soul away and gives it freedom to soar in the clouds of your thoughts and whirl around all creation, Thus humility gathers the soul into one by silence – and it is concentrated in itself. Like the soul inside the body hidden from sight and from communication with all people, and A truly humble-minded person not only does not want to be we see and know people, but even such is his will, to sink away from oneself into oneself, to become nothing, as it were non-existent, not yet coming into being. “And so far such a person is hidden, enclosed in himself and separated from the world, he dwells wholly with his Lord.
The humble-minded never stop looking to meetings, a gathering of people, excitement, noise, revelry, – does not pay attention to words, conversations, cliques and distraction of feelings, it is desirable for him not to have and to be in unceasing affairs, but in every a time to be free, to have no worries, so that his thoughts do not emanated outside of it. For he is sure that if he falls into many things, it is not possible to remain without confusion of thoughts; for in many matters there are many cares and gatherings polysyllabic thoughts; and through this the door is opened passions, the silence of prudence is removed and is contained in the the door of peace. Therefore, the humble-minded guard himself from everything a lot; and through this at all times there is silence, in in peace, in modesty, in reverence.
In the humble-minded there is never haste, haste, embarrassment, hot and light thoughts, but in the He is always at rest. There is nothing that could to amaze, to confuse, to terrify him; because neither in He is not terrified of sorrows, nor does he change, nor does he change in joy is surprised and does not expand. But all his joy and rejoicing in that which is pleasing to his Lord.
The humble-minded do not dare to pray to God, or to ask for something, and does not know what to pray for; but only is silent with all his feelings, waiting for one mercy and that the will that will be given to him on behalf of the one who is venerable Majesty, when he bows his face to the ground, and the inner sight of his heart is lifted up to the gates to the Holy Where is He Whose dwelling is darkness, before Whom the eyes of the Seraphim are shaking, and this is the only way he dares to do so. to say and pray: “According to Thy will, O Lord, be it with me.”
Walk before God in simplicity, and not in wisdom of mind. Simplicity is followed by faith; And after refinement and the cunning of wisdom – self-conceit; for and self-conceit is separation from God.
When you stand in prayer before God, become in thought as if he were a mute infant. Don’t say before God something from knowledge, but with the thoughts of a child draw near to Him, and walk before Him, that you may be vouchsafed to you of the paternal providence which fathers have for their children infants. It is said: “The Lord keep the babes” (Ps. 114:5), – not only of these little ones in body, but also of those wise ones in the world, who, having forsaken their knowledge, by their own will became like infants, and began to learn the all-pervading Wisdom that is not attained by the work of learning (book). Ask God to let you come in moderation of this faith. Do not pray for this lazily, ask for this fervor, beg for this with great zeal, until You’ll get it. You will be vouchsafed this, if you first with faith thou shalt compel thyself to cast thy care upon God, and thy own care to replace Him with providence. And when God will see in you this will, which with all pure thought you have entrusted yourself to God Himself more than to yourself, and compelled himself to trust in God more than in his own soul; then this unknown power will dwell in you, and perceptibly If you feel that there is undoubtedly power with you, the power that many feel in themselves go into the fire and do not they are afraid, and when they walk on the waters, they do not waver in their thoughts fear that they will drown.
Don’t you think that this spiritual thing is in every possible way Can some people receive knowledge with spiritual knowledge? “Not only it is impossible to accept it with this spiritual knowledge spiritual, but it is not even possible to feel it by feeling to any of those who zealously exercise themselves in the conduct of the soul. AND if any of them wish to approach another spiritual knowledge, until they renounce this spiritual and all the twists and turns of its subtlety, and its complex ways, and not having placed himself in a childish way of thinking, he has not hitherto will be able to approach, albeit slightly, spiritual knowledge. On the contrary, a great obstacle for them is the habit and concepts of spiritual knowledge until they erase it little by little. This spiritual knowledge simply does not shine forth in the thoughts of the soul. Until the mind is freed from thoughts and will not come into the single simplicity of purity, until then will be able to feel spiritual knowledge.
If you have once entrusted yourself to the Lord, the all-powerful for your protection, and for the care of you, do not be anxious Again about something of the kind, but say to your soul: “For every the deed weighs on me Him to Whom I once gave up my soul his own. I am not here; He knows it.” “Then in fact thou shalt see the wonders of God, thou shalt see, as at all times God is near to deliver those who fear Him, and as His Providence surrounds, although invisible. But because he is invisible with bodily eyes, the Guardian who dwells with you must not you doubt Him as if He did not exist; for often He is also revealed to the eyes of the body, so that you may be happy.
How soon a person rejects from himself all visible help and human hope, and with faith and a pure heart he will follow God; grace will follow him immediately, and reveals its power to it in various aids. First reveals – in this visible touching the body, and helps him by thinking about him, so that in all this he could feel the power of God’s Providence for him. By understanding the help in the manifest, he is convinced of the help and hidden, in the reasoning of which grace reveals before him is the intricacy of difficult thoughts and thoughts, as a result of which it is easy for man to discern their meaning, their mutual connection, and their charm, and how they are born one from another, and destroy the soul. At the same time, grace puts to shame before his eyes all the wickedness of the demons, and how would have indicated to him with his finger that he would have suffered if it had not been for the I have found out this. Then the thought arises in him that every thing, small and great, he should ask himself in prayer for His Creator.
When the grace of God confirms his thoughts, so that in all this he trusted in God, then little by little he begins enter into temptations. And grace permits that those who are sent there were temptations upon him, according to his measure, so that to bring to man their power. And in these temptations it is palpable help draws near to him, so that he may be happy, until will learn gradually and acquire wisdom, and in the hope of He will despise God for his enemies. For a man can be wise in spiritual battles, to know their Providence, to feel And be secretly confirmed in faith in Him, It is impossible otherwise than by the strength of what he has endured tests.
Grace, if he sees what is in the thought A few doubts began to appear, and he began to to think highly of himself, immediately allows him to strengthen and the temptations against him were strengthened until he knew his own weakness and again in humility does not eat for God.
Do not wonder that when you approach virtue, from everywhere cruel and intense sorrows flow upon you; for even the accomplishment of the which is not accompanied by the difficulty of the matter. For this reason, St. John (Kolov or the Prophet) said: “Virtues are usually meet difficulties; it is reprehensible when tied to peace.” And bliss. Mark says, “Every A perfect virtue is called the cross when it fulfills the commandment of the Spirit.” This is the Apostolic teaching that all, Those who desire to live in the fear of the Lord, and in Christ Jesus, they shall be persecuted (2 Tim. 3:12). And the Lord says: “Only whosoever shall lose his soul for my sake, shall find it” (Matt. 16:16). 25). For this reason He offers you the cross at first, that thou mayest first appoint thyself to the cross, and then send thyself to follow Him.
Nothing is as strong as despair. It doesn’t know so that someone may overcome him with his right hand, or with his right hand. When a man in his thoughts will deprive his life of hope, then there is no nothing more audacious than he. None of the enemies can resist it, and there is no tribulation, the rumor of which would lead to his exhaustion, his wisdom; because every The tribulation that comes is lighter than death, but he bowed his head; to take death upon himself.
The hope of peace has always forced people to forget the great, the good and the virtues. And before us and before now, not because of anything else, but because of this, people are faint, And not only do they not win, but they are even deprived of the best. Therefore, let us say in short that if a person neglects the Kingdom of Heaven, then only because of the hope of little consolation here. Who does not know that birds are approaching networks, meaning peace?
When the mind is zealous for virtue, then the external feelings do not yield victory over themselves to any difficulties. When the heart is jealous in spirit, then the body does not grieve for sorrows, does not fall into fear and does not shrink from fear; for then the mind, like adamant, opposes it with its firmness to all temptations. Let us be jealous, and he will flee from us negligence, which breeds laziness. Jealousy gives rise to courage and gives the soul victorious strength. What a force demons can resist when the soul moves its natural jealousy.
Our ancient fathers, knowing that our mind is not in every way Time is able to stand on one side and keep watch at other times he cannot even see that which harms put on non-acquisitiveness, as in a weapon, and departed into the wilderness, where there are no worldly occupations that serve as the cause passions, so as not to have reasons for irritation, desires, rancor. Against all this and the like, she strengthened and they protected themselves as an insurmountable pillar.
When a person is in non-acquisitiveness, Constantly the thought of transmigration from this life comes to him, – and he always takes care of the preparation to that, – runs away from all peace, the thought of the contempt of the world is alive in his mind, he gains strong things he is the heart to face dangers without fear, he is not afraid death, because every hour he directs his gaze upon it, sorrows, if they meet, he receives them with gladness and gladness, knowing that they bring crowns. If he happens to acquire something transitory, then at this very hour in his soul love for the body begins to awaken, thoughts of bodily rest, and about the means of obtaining everything that serves for this; from this he will be further deprived of that firmness of heart which He had it when in his non-acquisitiveness he was above the world, and his soul begins to be overwhelmed by thoughts that inspire fear for the life, therefore a strong hope in God departs from him.
Different sayings. “Like someone who has head in water, it is impossible to inhale subtle air, so also to him who immerses his thoughts in the cares of this world, it is impossible to breathe into oneself the sensations of this new world.As a deadly stench upsets the bodily composition, so and the obscene spectacle of the world of the mind.How glass cannot remain intact when colliding with stone in the vicinity, and the Holy One, when for a long time stays together and converses with his wife, cannot remain in purity and not be defiled.As strong and permanent trees are uprooted by the influx of waters, so the love of the world in the heart is eradicated influx of temptations directed at the body.How bitter medicines destroy the impurity of evil juices in In the same way, the cruelty of sorrows cleanses the heart from evil ones passions.Just as it is impossible for one who spares to remain unharmed of his enemy on the battlefield, so it is impossible for the ascetic to deliver his soul from destruction, if he spares his body.Like a young maiden struck by the sight of something terrible, Running to his parents, he takes hold of their clothes and cries out for help, so is the soul, to the extent that it is oppressed and crushed fear of temptations, in such a hurry to cling to God, calling upon Him in unceasing prayer. And while temptations continue to attack it one after another, it multiplies supplication; and as soon as he is liberated, he surrenders soaring thoughts.As another, having brought a great gift to the King, is rewarded from with a tender gaze, so to him who has in his prayer tears, the great King of ages, God, forgives every measure And rewards him with a benevolent gaze.Like a man who has a pearl of great price with him, passing through the path where robbers are found, in there is an incessant fear that he will be attacked and shall be robbed, so shall he who beareth the beads of chastity, and walks in the world, this path full of enemies, can be free from the fear of these robbers, until will come to the abode of the sepulchre, i.e. to the land of rest.Like a man who drinks wine on the day of weeping, drunk, forgets all sorrow about his difficult situation, and drunk with the love of God, in this world, i.e., in the house of weeping, forgets all his labors and sorrows, and because of his ecstasy becomes insensitive to all sinful passions, his heart is strengthened by hope in God, his soul is light, Like a feathered bird, his mind rises hourly from the earth, above all human things he soars with his thoughts and enjoys immortality with the Almighty.
Humility is the robe of the Divine. It was clothed with incarnate Word, and through him conversed with us in covering the valor of His majesty and His glory by this humility, so that the creature may not be struck by looking at Him. The creature could not look upon Him if He would not have received a part of it, and thus became to talk to her. Therefore, everyone who puts on this robe humility, puts on Christ Himself; because at that time the likeness in which we saw His creature and dwelt with it Christ, and he wished to be clothed according to his inner self man.
Humility is a kind of mysterious force, which, according to the the completion of the whole life, will be received by the perfect Saints. This power is not otherwise than by the perfect one in virtue is given by the power of grace, because virtue this contains everything.
Not everyone who is modest, silent, meek, – he has already reached the degree of humility. And the one who humble in the remembrance of the fall, lamenting over them, let us not call them humble-minded, although even this commendable; for he does not yet possess humility, but cunningly, he draws him closer to himself – he desires only humility, but he does not yet have humility. Completely The humble-minded have no need to invent by his wisdom reasons for humility, but in all things he manifests humility without labor and self-coercion.
If someone asks how to acquire humility, Let us answer him: it is imperative for the disciple to become like to his teacher, to a servant like his master (Matt. 10, 25). See how humility was manifested by the One Who commanded it and grants this gift – imitate Him and you will gain him.
In every possible way we must avoid everything that irritates us evil passions, especially to cut off the causes of passions in oneself and that by which the passions, even the smallest ones, are brought into action; When, in spite of this, the passions come to the movement, it is necessary to oppose them and fight against them. In order to And the best thing is to immerse yourself in the inner man, and there to dwell in solitude, unceasingly tilling the vineyard of his heart. When our mind dwells there in solitude and as a hermit, then he is no longer He wages war with the passions, but grace.
The purpose of the Savior’s coming, when He gave us His life-giving commandments, as purifying medicines in our passionate state, was to cleanse the soul from damage caused by the first offence, and to restore it to its primitive state. What are the healings for a sick body, then the commandments for a passionate soul. And obviously, that the commandments were established in spite of the passions, for healing criminal soul.
The damage came to us from the crime commandments. From this it is already evident that health is returning storing them again. But without doing the commandments; so far before let us not follow this path leading to spiritual purity, we must also desire or hope for spiritual purification. And not say that God is able to do it by grace even without keeping the commandments to grant us spiritual purification. These are the Lord’s judgments, and The Church does not command us to ask for anything like this. The Jews, And he returned from Babylon to Jerusalem; they walked the natural path; but Ezekiel supernaturally came to Jerusalem and in the Divine revelation became a spectator of the future renewal. Similar this also happens in the discourse of spiritual purity. Other ways trampled through, through the keeping of the commandments in a difficult life, by their blood they come to spiritual purity; and others they are vouchsafed it by the gift of grace. And the strange thing is that it does not it is permitted to ask in prayer for the purity granted to us by grace, and to renounce the life of the doing the commandments. For to the rich man, who asked the Lord, that having created eternal life I will inherit, the Lord is clear said, “Keep the commandments” (Luke 10:25), The rich man sought to know still more, then he said: If If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell thy possessions and give them to the poor, and take up thy cross, and follow Me (Matt. 19:19, 21). And this means: die to all that you have, then live in Me; Come out of the old world of passions, and then enter into the new world of the spirit. For the Lord, having said, “Take up the cross” (Matt. 16:24), thereby taught a man to die to everything in the world. And when he killed the old man in himself, or passion, then He said to him, Follow Me. It is impossible for the old man to walk in the way of Christ.
Blessed Basil the Great, and Blessed Gregory, who were lovers of the wilderness, and praised the silence; did not come to silence when they did not exercise themselves in doing commandments, but first they lived in the world, and kept the commandments that was to be kept alive in society, and then they came to spiritual purity, and were vouchsafed spiritual contemplation. AND After this they hurried and came out to the desert silence; and from that time on they dwelt with their inner a person; wherefore they became speculators, and dwelt in the spiritual contemplation, until they are called to become by grace pastors of the Church of Christ.
The desert lulls passions. But a person is required to For this one thing – to lull one’s passions, and also in order to to eradicate them, i.e. to overcome them when they are against us persist. And the passions that have been put to sleep awaken as soon as there is a reason for them to come into reality. Let us To desire the desert not only because it lulls the passions, but let us wish that in the absence of the sensual and in the removal of the from all, that we may become wise in it, and that it may be renewed in us an inner, spiritual person in Christ; so that at every hour that we may be observers of ourselves, and that our minds may be became vigilant and guarded himself hourly and did not the remembrance of his hope was stolen from him.
Our Lord, in order to make us like the greatness of the Father He has assigned us mercy, but the monks prefer silence to mercy. How is this reconciled?The Lord, in order to make us like the Heavenly Father, has appointed mercy, because it brings the merciful closer to God. AND We, monks, honor silence, not excluding mercy, but trying to distance himself as much as possible from vain cares, and mutiny; “We have no intention of opposing duty (in relation to our neighbors), but we take care of silence, so that (or rather, to fulfill another higher duty) to be in Thoughts of God, by which we can most of all regain to ourselves purity and draw closer to God. If, when on the known time will be necessary, what need for us the brethren, not one must neglect it. Therefore, let us constantly compel be merciful to everyone at all times rational nature. For thus the teaching of the Lord inspires us, and In this, and not in anything empty, lies the difference between our silence. And we need not only this inner one of ours to preserve mercy, but when circumstances call for, not to be negligent and to prove one’s love openly.
The Giver of Life enclosed the fullness of the commandments in two commandments, which encompass all the others, in the love of God, and in a similar love for the image of God. And the first satisfies the goals of spiritual contemplation; and the second contemplation and activity. For the nature of God is simple, invisible, and naturally has no need of anything, and consciousness In its self-absorption, it naturally has no need for attitude to God, in bodily activity, his activity and yet it is simple, and is found in one part of the mind, in accordance with the simplicity of the venerable Guilt, which is higher carnal feeling. And the second commandment, i.e. love for mankind, by the duality of nature, requires that we we fulfill invisibly in consciousness, in a similar way we wished to fulfill and bodily.Since activity everywhere precedes contemplation, It is impossible for anyone to rise to the realm of this supreme, if he does not fulfill the inferior in his own deed. And not a single one A person does not dare to say about love for one’s neighbor that He prospers in it with his soul, if that part is left to him, which, to the best of its ability, according to the time and place, is performed bodily. For only in this is the fulfillment done that there is perfect love in man. AND when we are as faithful and true as possible in this, then The soul is given power, in simple and incomparable concepts to extend to the great realm of the high and divine contemplation. And where there is no opportunity, love for one’s neighbor to accomplish in bodily visible deeds, there it is enough to The God of our love for our neighbors, accomplished only by the soul.
Whoever wants to love God above all else must have care for the purity of one’s soul; purity of the soul is acquired the overcoming and destruction of the passions. Passions are the door imprisoned in the face of purity. If someone does not open this closed door, he will not enter into the blameless and pure heart area. And without this, the soul cannot have boldness in the hour of prayer; for this boldness is the fruit purity and labors to acquire it. This is what all this is in is accomplished in order: patience struggles with compulsion for itself with passions for purity; If the soul conquers the passions, then acquires purity; And true purity makes the mind acquires boldness in the hour of prayer.
Let us renounce asking God for anything high; but above all, let us gain patience for everything that does not happen to us, – and in great humility and contrition For what is in us, and for our thoughts, let us ask remission of our sins and spiritual peace. One of the Fathers It is written: “Whoever does not consider himself a sinner, his prayer will not is accepted by the Lord.” It is written that he will not come The Kingdom of God with observance (i.e. in a noticeable way) – (Luke 17:20). For our part, we will do our best try to bring the area of your heart into well-being works of repentance and life pleasing to God; And the Lord’s will come by itself, if the place in the heart is pure and not defiled. What we seek with observance, I understand the lofty gifts of God, are not approved by the Church of God; and those who accepted this acquired pride and fall. And this not a sign that a person loves God, but a spiritual disease. And how can we aspire to God’s lofty gifts, when Paul boasts of sorrows, and of the high gift of God honors communion in the sufferings of Christ.
As long as the soul is sick with passions, it does not feel with his sense of spirituality, and does not know how to lust after it, but he lusts only by hearing his ears and by the Scriptures. Secret work heals the spiritual strength from these illnesses commandments, with the communion of Christ’s passion. Originally our nature in the incarnation of Christ has received renewal, partook of Christ’s suffering and death; And then renewal by the outpouring of blood was sanctified and made capable of to the acceptance of new and perfect commandments. And if These commandments were given to people before the outpouring of blood, until the the renewal and sanctification of our nature; then, perhaps, The newest commandments, like the ancient commandments, cut off if only a vice in the soul, but they could not destroy in the soul the very root of vices. But now it is not so: but the hidden the work and the new and spiritual commandments which the soul keeps, having the fear of God, they renew and sanctify the soul, and secretly heal all its members. For it is evident to all, what a passion silently in the soul heals every commandment, and the efficacy they are felt both by the healer and the healed, as it was with the a bleeding wife.
The healing of the passionate part of the soul can also be accomplished by grace, as was the case with the blessed Apostles. But this is the case God’s special election; usually the soul acquires health in a legal way. Namely, who by doing the commandments and By the difficult deeds of the true life he overcame the passions, in a lawful way – in a general way he acquired spiritual health, and milked outside the objectification of this world, and cut off in himself his former disposition and revived, as originally, in spiritual, and by grace, as having acquired concepts inner man, became visible in the realm of the spirit, and accepted it The world is new, uncomplicated.
When the mind is renewed and the heart is sanctified; Then that’s it the concepts arising in it are excited in accordance with the the nature of the world into which he enters. First his love for the Divine is aroused in him, and he lusts after communion with angels and revelation of the mysteries of spiritual knowledge; d. He is purified by the spiritual knowledge of creatures, and shines forth in him contemplation of the mysteries of the Holy Trinity, as well as the mysteries of the the economy that is worthy for our sake; And then enters wholly into unity with the knowledge of the hope of the future.
If the soul, when imprisoned in the realm of passions, could truly understand spiritual things, then she would have no need to inquire and inquire about the mysteries of the spiritual world. But clearly, that teaching and knowledge in the passions are of no avail, and are not sufficient to open a door that has been enclosed in the face of purity. When passions are taken away from the soul, then the mind is enlightened and placed in a clean place nature, and has no need of questions; because it’s clear sees the benefits that are gained in their place. For as external feelings are felt not as a result of learning that are in contact with them natures and things, but every sense naturally feels the thing that meets him: thus, in like manner, Imagine spiritual contemplation. For the mind that sees into the hidden mysteries of the spirit, if it in its natural He fully contemplates the glory of Christ, and does not ask does not learn, but enjoys the mysteries of the new world, above all free will, in proportion to the fervor of faith and hope in Christ.
If it is desirable for you that your heart should become the abode of the mysteries of the new world, then be enriched first by deeds bodily, fasting, vigil, service, asceticism, by patience, by lowering thoughts, and so on. Bind Your Mind by reading the Scriptures and delving into them, write before the eyes of the commandments, and by unceasing prayerful communion and by self-absorption in prayer, eradicate it from your heart every image and every likeness, which Thou hast previously perceived. Accustom your mind to always delve into mysteries The Savior of the economy; Stop asking yourself knowledge and contemplation, which in their place and in their time exceed the verbal description, and continue to do the commandments and labor in acquiring purity, and ask the Lord for yourself to be vouchsafed an intelligent life. The beginning, middle and end of the life This is as follows: the cutting off of everything by union with Christ. But if you desire the contemplation of the mysteries, by your very deed cultivate the commandments in yourself, and not only by striving for them management. Spiritual contemplation acts in us in the realm of purity.
The contemplation of the sacrament of faith in the sons is associated with faith, and grazing in the meadows of the Scriptures. Words, incomprehensible are made intelligible to us by faith, and we receive knowledge of them in contemplation, which is cleansing. For spiritual mysteries, which are above knowledge, and which are felt neither by the bodily senses nor by the rational force God has given us faith, by which we know only that the mysteries of the These exist. And from this faith is born our hope for (i.e., the hope of understanding them). By faith we confess that God is the Lord, the Lord, the Creator and Organizer of all. From Then, compelled by our conscience, we decide what is due to us to keep His commandments, and to understand that the old commandments preserves fear, but preserves the life-giving commandments of Christ love, as the Lord says: If ye love Me, My commandments observe. And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Comforter (John 14:15, 16). He calls the coming of the Comforter the giving of the revelation of spiritual mysteries; therefore, in the reception of the Spirit, Whom the Apostles received – all the perfection of the spiritual Management. And the Lord promised, having besought His Father, to give them The Comforter, so that in their making the commandments and purifying himself, remained with them forever. You see, what a Keeping the commandments of the mind is vouchsafed grace mysterious contemplation and revelations of spiritual knowledge.
Keeping the commandments manifests such power when: is done out of love for Him who gave them, and not out of fear. Therefore, the lawful door that leads to contemplation is love. On all the ascents of the revelations of knowledge and the mysterious contemplation, Divine love brings in and brings down those who have acquired hers. Therefore, love must first be acquired; and after that contemplation of the spiritual will be natural for us. And understand the wisdom of Blessed Paul, how he forsook all his gifts, communicated by grace, and asked for the most essential, – that by which gifts are received and preserved, i.e. love (1 Cor. ch. 13). It is a place of revelation; and in this place contemplation shows itself to us by itself. As the of natural age, the soul accepts new and new things into itself knowledge of the things that exist in the world, and is taught day by day more and more, so in the spiritual a person accepts in spiritual contemplation and Divine sensation, and learns this to the extent that the mind grows in rational life. When he comes to the realm of love, then contemplates the spiritual in its place.
As long as a person makes an effort to spiritually has come down to him, it does not submit. And if daring He shall dream, and lift up his gaze to the spiritual, and it shall be to reach him with understanding at the wrong time, then soon his sight is dulled, and instead of the real he sees ghosts and images. How soon will you comprehend with your prudent mind, then you will not seek contemplation is not in time. But if it seems to you that even now (before entering the realm of purity and love) you see contemplation, then this contemplation is the shadow of a phantom, and not contemplation; because everything in thought has a likeness and a dreamy image, and there is also true contemplation. AND In the natural order, sometimes the real is seen, and sometimes contrary to this; The eye sees instead of reality shadow, sees water where there is no water, sees buildings hanging on air, while they stand on the ground. According to this imagine the same of the mental manifestation of the corporeal.
If the sight of the mind is not purified by doing the commandments, by the deeds of a silent life, will not acquire in perfection of the light of love, will not succeed in the renewal of Christ, then he will not be able to become a true spectator of the Divine contemplation. Yet all those semblances of the spiritual which he thinks are called a ghost, and not reality. And it is that the mind sees one thing instead of the other, comes from the fact that he has not been cleansed. It was the same with external philosophers, who considered spiritual that which was not have received the true teaching from God, and they talked about it in undue conceit, divided one God in polytheism, spoke and agreed among themselves in the mockery of thoughts, and this dream of madness thoughts they called the speculation of nature.
True Contemplation of the Sensual and Sensual Natures supersensible and the Holy Trinity itself is given in Revelation of Christ. He taught him and showed him to men Christ, when He originally accomplished His Hypostasis the renewal of human nature, returned and gave to him first freedom, and He Himself paved the way for us by those who give Him life, commandments to ascend to the Truth. And then our nature is only is capable of becoming a spectator of the true, and not of the dreamy, contemplation, when a person initially endured suffering, work and sorrow will cast off the old man passionate, like a newborn baby stripping off his clothes, taken out of the mother’s beds. Then the mind, having been reborn spiritually, becomes capable of accepting the contemplation of the Fatherland of his own.
And this contemplation is the food of the mind, until it comes in the state of receiving the higher contemplation of the first contemplation; because one contemplation transmits a person to another contemplation, until the mind is brought into the realm of perfect love. Love is the abode of the spiritual, and is established in the purity of soul. When the mind becomes in the realm of love, then grace acts, the mind accepts spiritual contemplation, and becomes a spectator of the innermost.
In two ways, as I have already said, the gift is given revelations of intellectual contemplation. Sometimes it is given by grace for fervent faith; and sometimes for doing the commandments and for purity. By grace, as to the blessed Apostles, who did not work the commandments have purified the mind, and by fervent faith; because in simplicity they believed in Christ, and undoubtedly with the flames of the with their hearts, followed Him. And when Christ made worshiping His economy, He sent them the Spirit The Comforter, Who cleansed and perfected their minds, and effectively He killed the old passionate man inside them, and He effectively revived in them a new spiritual man. Thus Blessed Paul was mysteriously renewed, and then he took up the contemplation of the revelation of the mysteries. It is not written about what Jesus conversed with him openly, but it is written that He said to him Ananias: Saul brother, our Lord Jesus Christ, appear on the way, send me to see thine eyes, and thou shalt be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17). “And when he baptized him, he was filled with the Holy Spirit; and felt the hidden mysteries of the revelations, how this was accomplished and with the Holy Apostles, to whom the Lord Jesus said: The Imam shall speak unto you, but ye shall not bear it now: the Holy Spirit will come, He will guide you into all truth, and which is to come shall shew unto you (John 16:12, 13).
And Blessed Paul was then, just as he received the Spirit He was renewed by Him, and was vouchsafed the mysteries of revelation, and became to contemplate in the spirit of revelation, and delighted in contemplation, heard ineffable words, beheld the highest contemplation nature, he was delighted with the contemplations of the heavenly powers, and delighted in spiritual things. And let there be no that which is in madness the heretics (euctites) assert that this is not the case He reached the ascent of his own free will! The mind cannot at all to ascend there. On the contrary, Paul was caught up in the spirit revelations, as he himself wrote in the Epistle to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 12, 2. 4), in spite of these vain people, who likened they called themselves spiritual to the Holy Apostles and the dreams of their thoughts contemplation.
In the reasoning of people who are filled with passions and enter into the study of the laws of the corporeal and the incorporeal, and Therefore, they do not differ from the sick who teach the rules of preservation of health, one of the Saints wrote: “Bliss. Paul, when he learned about the disciples who neglected the commandments and they did not conquer the passions, but they coveted the beatitudes of contemplation of the mysteries, which is possible only after purification from them, said To them: first put off the old man of passions, and then Desire to put on the new and renewed man the knowledge of mysteries in the likeness of the Creator, and do not covet my and other Apostles of Beatitude, effectively perfect grace; for God willeth him and has mercy on him: and him willeth to harden (Rom. 9:18). For who will oppose Or will he resist His will? – God grants sometimes tune; sometimes it requires works and purification, and then He sends a gift, and sometimes even after works and purification he does not give but preserves it in order to grant contemplation on its own place.”
We find that He does the same in His reasoning less than this gift, I mean the forgiveness of sins. For behold, baptism bestows on the tune, and nothing at all requires, in addition to faith; but in repentance of sins after baptism He does not forgive, but demands labors, sorrows, sorrows, contrition, tears, long-term weeping, and then forgives. He forgave the thief for one confession with a word on the cross, and promised him the kingdom; but he demanded of the sinner also faith and tears.
A soul that loves God in God and in Him alone finds rest for himself.First resolve each external union in yourself, and then you will be able to be in the heart in union with God; because unity with God is preceded by renunciation of matter.Bread is given to the infant for food after he is fattened milk: and a person who intends to succeed in Divine, desires first to remove himself from the world, as A child from the embrace and breasts of his mother.Bodily work precedes spiritual work like a finger preceded the soul that was blown into Adam. Who did not win bodily work, he cannot have spiritual work; Therefore, that the latter is born of the first, like a hair from the naked wheat grain. And whoever does not have spiritual work he is also deprived of spiritual gifts.
As sowing in tears is followed by the handles of joy, so also suffering for God’s sake will be followed by joy.Sweet seems to the farmer the bread obtained by sweat: sweet the work of righteousness to the heart that has received the knowledge of Christ.Endure both humiliation and humility with good will, so that have you boldness before God.A man with knowledge who endures every cruel word, when He himself did not first commit unrighteousness to him who uttered it, although at the same time he places a crown of thorns on his head, but blessed, because he is crowned incorruptibly, while he himself he doesn’t know.
Whoever flees vain glory with knowledge has felt in the to his soul the age to come.Whoever runs away from peace in the present life has had his mind the next century. And whoever is bound by covetousness is a slave passions.Do not think that there is only one acquisition of gold and silver covetousness; it is the acquisition of anything there was such a thing to which your will is attached.Do not praise him who suffers evil bodily, but at the same time gives the will of the senses, I mean the hearing, the gaping and irrepressible lips, and wandering eyes.
Know that forgiving sins to debtors belongs to the deeds of truth. Then you will see silence and brightness everywhere in the in your mind.If the merciful is not higher than his own righteousness, then he will not merciful, i.e., a true merciful one not only gives alms to people out of his own, but also with joy He endures unrighteousness from others, and has mercy on them.He who lays down his life for his brother is merciful, and not he who by alms he only shows mercy to his brother.And he is merciful who, if he is struck by his brother, does not will have so much shamelessness to answer and grieve his heart.
Love the work of vigil, that you may find consolation close to your soul.Study reading in silence, so that your mind will always we were led to the miracles of God.Love poverty with patience, that you may gather your mind into one his own from soaring. Hate the long life, so that to keep your thoughts serene. Refrain from and take care of your soul alone, that you may save it from dissipation of inner silence.
Love chastity, so that you will not be ashamed in time prayer before God.Acquire purity in your deeds, so that your soul may be illumined in prayer, and the remembrance of death kindled joy in your mind.Do not be lazy in your work, lest you be ashamed, when you stand among your friends.Do not bind your freedom to that which serves for pleasure, lest you become a slave of slaves.In thy garment love poor garments, that thou mayest humble thoughts born in you, i.e., the arrogance of the heart. Who loves brilliance, he cannot acquire free thoughts; because the heart is internally tuned according to the likeness of the external images.
Humility is followed by abstinence in all things limitations.Humility, because of constant self-restraint, he comes to contemplation, and adorns the soul with chastity; a vanity, because of incessant rebellion and confusion of his thoughts, gathers from all that he meets the unclean treasures, and defiles the heart. With an obscene gaze, it He looks at the nature of things, and occupies his mind with shameful ideas, and humility spiritually disposes contemplation, and he who has acquired it arouses him to doxology.
It is better for you to release yourself from the bonds of sin than to free slaves from slavery.It is better for you to be reconciled with your soul in oneness of mind the threefold composition in you, i.e. body, soul and spirit, than to pacify those who think differently by their teaching.St. Gregory says: “It is good to theologize for God’s sake, but it is better for a man to make himself clean for God.”It is more useful for you to see to it that what has fallen into the To restore thy soul from the passions by the agitation of thoughts to the Divine, rather than raise the dead.
All the days of your life, wherever you go, honor a stranger, so that you may be able to get rid of harm caused by liberty in circulation.Bless always with your lips, and they will not curse you; for from backbiting is born backbiting, and from backbiting is born blessings, blessings.In every matter consider yourself poor to teach, and all your life you will prove wise.Do not tell another what you yourself have not experienced, so that it does not happen thou art ashamed of thyself, and after comparing thy life thou hast not Thy falsehood has been revealed.
Beware of reading heretical teachings, because this can most often arm the spirit of blasphemy against you.Often, and not knowing satiety, read in the books of teachers about God’s Providence, because they guide the mind to order in the creatures and works of God, strengthen it by themselves, by their subtlety, they prepare it for acquisition luminous thoughts, and make it go in purity to the understanding of God’s creatures.Read the Gospel bequeathed by God to the knowledge of the whole universe, so that your mind may be immersed in the wonders of God.Let your reading be in undisturbed silence, and be free from many cares for the body and from worldly rebellion, in order to feel in his soul, sweet understanding, the sweetest taste, surpassing every sensation, and that the soul may feel it by abiding in that.
Purify thy soul, cast off thy care for this, that is outside your nature, hang on your concepts and movements the veil of chastity and humility, and through this you will find that within your nature, because it is given to the humble the revelation of mysteries.
If you intend to devote your soul to the work of prayer, cleansing the mind, and to remain awake at night, in order to acquire a bright mind, then withdraw from the sight of the world, Cease to meet with people, do not receive them into your cell, custom, friends, even under the guise of benefit, except for those of the same nature, those who are of one mind with thee, and thy companions; Be afraid of embarrassment spiritual conversation, and after cutting off the external conversation, with prayer Combine your alms, and your soul will see the light of truth. For to what extent does the heart cease to be disturbed by external objects, into the same mind can from the comprehension of thoughts and deeds To reach the divine to comprehension and amazement. For the soul usually one conversation will soon be replaced by another, if we try to to show little diligence.
In order to replace one interview with another (vain, – soul-saving), engage in the reading of the Scriptures and the lives of the Saints. And when you stand for prayer and rule his own, instead of reflecting on what he saw and heard in the world, thou shalt find within thyself meditation on the Divine Scriptures, which he has read, and by this reflection he will be brought to oblivion, that he remembered the things of the world; And in this way the mind comes to purity. And this is what is written, that reading helps the soul, when he stands for prayer; and also: the soul through prayer is enlightened in reading. And reading again, instead of the external impurities, provides food for various types of prayer, and therefore By reading the soul is enlightened, so that it may always pray without laziness and without embarrassment.
Carnal and gluttonous people should enter the study spiritual things are as unseemly as a harlot to talk about chastity.An extremely sickly body does not tolerate fat food: and A mind occupied with the worldly cannot approach the investigation of the Divine.Fire does not burn in damp wood: and the Divine fervor is not kindled in a heart that loves peace.Just as he who does not see the sun with his own eyes cannot someone to write off his light by one rumor, not even He feels this light: he who has not tasted the sweetness of his soul spiritual affairs.
If you have anything superfluous for the needs of the day, Distribute these things to the poor, and go boldly to offer prayers that is, converse with God as a son converses with the Father.Nothing can bring the heart closer to God than almsgiving; and nothing produces such silence in the soul as Arbitrary poverty.When you serve, serve with generosity, with tenderness on the and provide more than they ask.Do not try to distinguish between the worthy and the unworthy; Let it be all people will be equal to you for a good cause. For by this In this way you can attract the unworthy to good, because the soul is soon attracted to the fear of God by means of the body.
Cleanse thy cell of excesses, for this He will lead you to abstinence, even if you do not want to. Scarcity teaches a person abstinence in everything.Those who have gained victory in the external battle, I mean the battle, raised up on the soul by the senses – hearing, sight, and etc., – they may not be afraid of internal warfare.When a person closes the gates of the city, i.e. feelings; then he fights within, and is not afraid of those who plot outside the city.Blessed is he who, knowing this, does not trouble himself with a multitude of things; but he turned all his bodily activity to prayer work.
While God inwardly brings your heart into tenderness, unceasingly make prostrations and genuflections.Do not allow your heart to be concerned about anything, if, At this time, the demons will begin to convince you to take care of others deeds, and then see and wonder what will happen to you from this.Nothing else in ascetic struggles is like this important and difficult, and does not arouse such envy in demons as if a man prostrates himself before the cross of Christ, praying for a day and night, and it happens as if with his hands tied behind his back.Do you want not to grow cold in your ardor, and not to become impoverished with tears, attend to this, and blessed are you, if about what has been said to you You will take care day and night, and you will not harass nothing else.If you do not strive, you will not gain, and if you do not you will knock at the door with fervor and unceasingly if you remain with them in vigil, you will not be heard.
Until the external man dies to all that is worldly, he will not only for sin, but also for every work, and also for The inner man is for evil thoughts, and does not faint natural movement of the body so that it is not excited in the heart is the sweetness of sin, until then the sweetness of the Spirit of God will be aroused in a person, his members will not receive purity in life this Divine thoughts will not enter into his soul and will remain imperceptible and invisible. “And as long as the man is in his heart will not bring into inaction the care of worldly things, except for the necessary needs of nature, and will not provide to take care of these things to God; until then, spiritual ecstasy will not be aroused in him.
Who, with conviction and feeling, keeps in mind what equality is led by the common end of all, for the renunciation of has no need of any other Teacher.Whoever does not voluntarily withdraw from the causes of passions involuntarily he is drawn into sin. The causes of sin are the following: wine, women, wealth, bodily health; but not because they are sins by nature, but because nature is conveniently inclined by this into sinful passion, and therefore a person must carefully guard against this.Poverty is abominable to men, but God’s soul is much more abominable high-hearted and soaring mind. Wealth is honorable among men; and y A humble soul is worthy of God.
If you want to start a good work; Prepare yourself first for the temptations that befall you. For the enemy in custom, when he sees that with fervent faith Someone has begun a good life, to meet him in different ways terrible temptations, so that they may come into fear because of this, he grew cold in good will, and would no longer have fervor to approach God-pleasing work. Because prepare to face the temptations that are sent to you with courage on the virtues, and then begin to do them.
The commandments of God are above all the treasures of the world. Who has acquired he finds God within himself.Whoever always rests in God’s care is God found a housekeeper.Whoever desires the fulfillment of the will of God is the heavenly He will have angels as guides.Whoever fears sins will commit terrible things without stumbling procession, and in the time of darkness before it and within it will find light.The feet of him who fears sins are guarded by the Lord, and in time his encroachments are preceded by the mercy of God.Whoever considers his sins small falls into worse than the former and bears a sevenfold punishment.
In humility sow alms, and you will reap mercy for court.With what you have ruined the good, the more acquire it again. Thou hast ruined chastity; God will not accept alms from you, if you continue in fornication; because he wants holy things from you body.And every ailment is cured by the medicines peculiar to it. You are overcome by envy; Why do you strive to fight with sleep (and not against envy)?
While the transgression is still small and not ripe, destroy it, before he put out branches in breadth and began to ripen. Do not give yourself over to negligence, while the defect seems small to you; because later you will find in him the inhuman and you will run before him like a slave, a prisoner. And who in the In the beginning, the passion opposes it, it soon prevails over it.
Who can gladly endure an offense, even if he has in his hands the means to repel it, he received consolation from God faith in Him. And who with humility endures the accusations, he has attained perfection, and they are amazed at him Holy Angels. For there will be no other virtue is so lofty and incomprehensible.
Don’t trust yourself to be strong until you’re tempted, and you will find yourself unchangeable.Do not rely on your own strength, lest it be allowed to you to fall through weakness; and then, by his own fall, thou shalt know thy infirmity.Do not trust your own knowledge, so that the enemy, having entered into the Through him, he did not catch you by his cunning.Never boast in your words of your deeds, lest to be ashamed.In everything that a person boasts of. God allows him to change so that he may be humbled, and learn humility.
Lift up your eye unceasingly to God; because The Protection and Providence of God embraces all people, but He is invisible, but is revealed only to those who have cleansed themselves from sins, and who always think about God, and moreover about Him alone. Above all, God’s Providence is revealed to them when for God’s sake they enter into temptation. For then they feel God’s Providence, as if seeing Him with bodily eyes, according to the measure and cause of the temptation that befalls each of them, in order to stir up these ascetics to courage, as it was with James, Joshua, the three youths, Peter and other Saints, to whom Providence appeared in the human in some way, encouraging and confirming them in piety.
Needless to say, about ascetics who are alien to the world and about hermits? They made the desert a hail, turned it into a the village and abode of the Angels. To them for the improvement of life their angels always came, and as warriors of the one Lord, from time to time they quarreled with each other. They are all the days of life loved the wilderness, and for the love of God they had their dwellings in the mountains, caves and abysses of the earth. As they, having left they loved the things of heaven, and became imitators Angels, then the most holy Angels are not For this they hid their evil from them, and did all sorts of things their desire, and in all things they showed them every help.
Whoever once and for all consecrated himself to God spends his life in peace of mind.Without non-acquisitiveness, the soul cannot free itself from rebellion of thoughts, and without bringing the senses into silence, will feel the world in thought.Without entering into temptations, no one will acquire spiritual wisdom.Without diligent reading, you will not learn the subtlety of thoughts.Without the silence of thoughts, the mind will not move into the innermost secrets.Without hope in faith, the soul cannot boldly dare to temptations.Without experiencing the clear protection of God, the heart does not are able to trust in God.If the soul does not taste the sufferings of Christ with knowledge, then will not have fellowship with Christ.
Whoever has mercy on the beggar has a guardian for himself And whoever becomes poor for God’s sake will find that which do not fail treasures. God has need of nothing, but rejoices; when He sees that a person gives rest to His image, and honors it for His sake. When someone asks you for what you have, do not Say in your heart, I will leave this to my soul, that to rest in this, and God will grant this from another place what is necessary for him.” Such thoughts are appropriate for unrighteous people and to those who do not know God. A just and kind person will not give honor to another, and will not allow the time of grace to be passed without work. A poor and needy person is supplied from God, because the Lord leaves no one; but you, having sent away the wretched one from him, he has deviated from the honor given to you God, and removed His grace from himself. Therefore, when you give, rejoice and say: “Glory to Thee, O God, that Thou hast vouchsafed me to find someone to put to rest.” But if you have nothing to give, how much more Rejoice, and, thanking God, say: “I thank Thee, O God my that Thou hast given me this grace and the honor of being impoverished For Thy name’s sake, and hath vouchsafed me to taste sorrow, laid in the way of Thy commandments, in sickness and poverty, as Thy Saints have eaten, who have walked this way.”
Our nature has become accommodating the passions; There are many temptations in the present world, evil is not far from you, it flows within you and is under your feet. How to the eyelids are close to each other before the eyes, so the temptations are close to And God hath ordained it wisely for thy benefit; that thou mayest continually knock at His doors, that with fear sorrowful remembrance of Him in your mind, so that thou hast drawn near unto Him in prayers, and thy heart hath been sanctified unceasing remembrance of Him. God did not create you inaccessible to sorrowful things, so that you, too, desiring to be God, not to inherit the same thing that the former inherited originally Lucifer, and afterwards for exaltation became Satan; nor did He make you steadfast and immovable, so that you do not become like the nature of inanimate creatures.
Constantly purify yourself before God, having in your heart remembrance of Him, so that he may remain for a long time without remembrance of Him, thou didst not find thyself lacking boldness, when you come to Him. For there is boldness before God the consequence of frequent conversation with Him and much prayer.Intercourse with people is through the body, and intercourse with God through spiritual remembrance of Him, attention to To Him in prayer and to give oneself completely to Him.By long-term preservation of the remembrance of God, the soul is is astonished and astonished at times.Let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice: seek Lords, those who are condemned, and be strengthened in hope; seek His face through repentance (Psalm 104:3, 4), and be sanctified by the holiness of His countenance, and be cleansed from your sins.
When temptation comes upon the unrighteous, he has no hope to call on God, and wait for salvation from Him; because in the days of his repose he departed from the will of God.Before sorrow comes upon you, pray to God; and in in the time of sorrow you will find Him, and He will hear you.Noah’s ark was prepared in the time of the world; and his trees have been robbed for a hundred years, and in the time of wrath the unrighteous have perished; but to the righteous he became a covering.
In whom the world is dead, they gladly endure offenses; and in whom the world is alive, they cannot endure offenses, but moved by vanity, they are angry, and are troubled by foolish movement; or they are overwhelmed by sorrow.Who wants to succeed in the virtue of enduring offenses and magnanimity, he must withdraw from his relatives and to become a wanderer; because in his homeland it is impossible to succeed in this virtue.Some great and strong people tend to endure such suffering among their relatives – and only those can do this in whom this world died; because they no longer want anything consolation in the present age.
As grace is close to humility, so painful adventures are close to pride.The eyes of the Lord are upon the humble-minded, to make them glad; but the face of the Lord is against the proud, in order to humble them.Be despised in thy greatness, and not magnifying in their smallness.Whoever strives for honor, from him it runs forward; And who she runs away from honor, and then she chases after him from behind.Whoever hungers and thirsts for God’s sake, God will make him drunk with good things Their own.Whoever endures nakedness for God’s sake is clothed with a robe by Him incorruptibility and glory.Whoever becomes poor for God’s sake is comforted by His true wealth.Acknowledge yourself a sinner all your life, so that in all things of your life to be justified to you.Deal with those who have humility, and you will learn their manners.Let it always be in your disposition to be to everyone friendly and respectful.
For the benefit of the soul, God allowed it to be accessible passions, and did not consider it useful to place it above the passions before the second pack of existence. “And the soul will be accessible to the passions is useful for wounding the conscience; to abide but in the passions – insolently and shamelessly.As from gluttony is born a rebellion of thoughts, so from gluttony verbosity and disorderly conversations – senselessness and the emergence of the mind from its rank.Concern for the things of this world throws the soul into confusion, and confusion with them confuses and deprives the mind of silence.A monk who has devoted himself to heavenly work is befitting to always be out of all worldly cares, so that, Absorbed in himself, he found nothing at all belonging to the present age. Having become abolished from all things, such a thing, he can already learn the law without amusement The Lord’s day and night.
Bodily labor without purity of mind is the same as fruitless womb and withered breasts; because they cannot approach the the knowledge of God. They tire the body, but do not care to eradicate it passions in the mind; and therefore they do not reap anything.As he who sows in thorns can reap nothing, so he who destroys cannot be vindictive and covetous in anything to be in time, but groans on his bed from sleeplessness because of the oppressive concern for business.
If the soul shone with remembrance of God and vigilant vigil day and night, then the Lord arranges there (within) a cloud that overshadows it with daylight and a light of fire the night illuminates it; in its darkness the light will shine.
As a cloud blocks the light of the moon, so the evaporation the filled womb is expelled from the soul of God’s Wisdom.As the flame of fire is in dry wood, so is the body filled womb.Like one combustible substance applied to another, increases the fiery flame, so the variety of brushes increases lustful movement in the body.In a voluptuous body the knowledge of God does not dwell; and who loves his body, he will not receive God’s grace.As in the diseases of birth the fetus is born, rejoicing the one who gave birth, so when the larynx is languishing, he is born in to the soul is the fruit of the knowledge of the mysteries of God.As a father cares for his children, so Christ cares for body that suffers evil for His sake, and is always near of His mouth.
The stranger who in his thought has become outside of everything worldly.A monk who dwells outside the world, and always prays to God, in order to obtain future blessings for him.The wealth of a monk is the consolation found in weeping, and joy from faith, shining in the recesses of the mind.The virgin who has not only preserved the body undefiled by carnal copulation, but is ashamed even of the slightest reminder of it.If you love chastity, drive away shameful thoughts by the exercise of reading and prolonged prayer; and then you will have weapons against natural impulses to do so; And without this, it is impossible to see purity in the soul.
If you are truly merciful, then when it is taken away from you what is unrighteous, do not grieve inwardly, and do not talk about damage to outsiders.Let the damage done by those who have offended you be absorbed by thy mercy, as the astringency of wine is swallowed up by a multitude of water.Prove the multitude of your mercy by the blessings that you repay those who have offended you, as the blessed Elisha did with by his enemies, who intended to take him captive (2 Kings 6:10). 13-23).
He who is truly humble-minded, being righteous, is not indignant, and does not say anything in his defense about what with which they are truthful, but accept slander as truth, and do not he tries to assure people that he is slandered, but asks for forgiveness. Others voluntarily brought upon themselves the name of obscene, not being such; and others endured the naming of adulterers; being far from adultery, and with tears testified that they bore the fruit of sin, which did not do it, and with tears they asked forgiveness from those who had offended the iniquity, which they did not commit when their soul was crowned with all purity and purity. Others, so as not to be glorified them for the excellent rules of life observed by the they secretly represented themselves in the form of holy fools, having been dissolved by the Divine salt, I am unshakable in my silence, so that at the height of his perfection the Holy Spirit. Angels they had heralds of their virtues.
The Saviour called various abodes with the Father many the measure of the mind of those who are established in this country, i.e., the differences and differences the difference in spiritual gifts, which are enjoyed in proportion to the mind. For not according to the difference of places, but according to the degree of gifts He called the monasteries many. Like a sensual sun Everyone enjoys according to the purity and acceptability of power And how from one lamp in one house illumination varies, although light is not divided into many luminaries, thus, in the age to come, all the righteous will be inseparably enthroned in one country, but each in its own measure is illuminated by one mental Sun, and by its dignity attracts to the joy and gladness, as if from one air, from one place, throne, spectacle and image. “And no one He sees the measures of his friend, both the highest and the lowest, so that, if he sees the surpassing grace of a friend, and his own deprivation, this was not a cause of sorrow and sorrow for him. There is everyone there, according to the grace given to him, he rejoices inwardly in his measure. Outside of all there is one spectacle and a country, and besides these two degrees, I mean one country above, another below, and in the midst of them is the diversity in the difference of recompense.
When the devil wants to defile the mind of the prodigal then he first tests patience with their love to vanity, and the beginning of this thought is not presented passion. This is what he usually does with those who guard their minds, and in which it is impossible to quickly invest any indecent thought. When he will expel man from his stronghold, and he will begin to converse with the first thoughts and move away from his stronghold, then he will meet him something reminiscent of fornication, and seduces the mind into objects obscene. The mind is at first troubled by their sudden adhesion, – and then reconciles with them, – and further from thoughts It comes down to business. But if the mind steps back and warns the first addition of thoughts, then, with God’s help, is convenient can overcome passion.
It is better to avert passions by remembering the virtues, rather than resistance, because the passions, when they come out, from their region and are raised up to battle, imprinted in his own images and likenesses. This battle acquires great power over the mind, greatly disturbing and confusing thoughts. And if we act according to the first one we have said rule, then there is no trace of passions in the mind driving them away.
Until a person accepts the Comforter, he needs Divine Scriptures in order to remember the good was imprinted in his thoughts, and by unceasing reading the striving for good was renewed in him, and guarded his soul from the subtlety of sinful ways: because he has not yet acquired power of the Spirit, which removes error and takes captive mindfulness that is beneficial to the soul. When the power of the Spirit descends into the spiritual force acting in man, then, instead of the law, The commandments of the Spirit take root in the heart, and then secretly he learns from the Spirit, and has no need of the aid of matter sensual; for while the heart learns from matter, immediately after learning follows error and forgetfulness; and when teaching is taught by the Spirit, then remembrance remains unharmed.
A fledgling bird is the mind that, when repentance, has recently come out of the fetters of the passions, and during prayer He strives to rise above the earthly, but he cannot, on the contrary he still crawls on the face of the earth, not having the strength to fly. However, with the help of reading, doing, fear and concern for a multitude of virtues, gathers into one his thoughts; because he is not able to know anything other than this. And this is on keeps the mind undefiled for a short time; But later memories come, and disturb and defile the heart; because man has not yet felt that calm air freedom, in which, for a long time, oblivion of the earthly he introduces the mind, for he has acquired only bodily wings, i.e., virtues that are performed outwardly, but have not seen contemplative virtues, and was not vouchsafed to feel them; and they are the wings of the mind on which a person draws near to the heavenly, and moves away from the earthly.
As long as a person serves the Lord with something sensual, Hitherto, the images of this sensual are imprinted in the thoughts, and he represents the Divine in images bodily. When he receives a sense of the inner, then, As it is felt, the mind, from time to time, will be to rise above the images of things.
When your soul comes close to coming out of the darkness, then this will be the sign for you: you have a heart it burns and burns like fire day and night; And therefore the whole Thou dost count the world in wisdom and ashes, and do not desire even food, from sweetness of new, flaming thoughts, unceasingly stirred up in your soul. Suddenly, a spring is given to you tears, like a stream flowing without compulsion, and mingling with to all thy work, that is, during thy reading, thy prayers and meditations, when thou hast eaten and drink, and in all thy work. And when you see it in O thy soul, be trustworthy, for thou hast crossed the sea; and be so diligent in your affairs, so carefully keep the guard, so that grace may abound in you from the day to day day. And until you find this in yourself, you have not yet done it of his way, and did not enter the mountain of God. If and after As thou hast found and received the grace of tears, they shall cease; and thy fervor shall grow cold without change in anything else; i.e. without bodily infirmity; then woe to you! What have you ruined, falling either into self-conceit, or into negligence, or into dissipation?! “But what follows the tears, we will write about later.”
If you have no works, do not speak of virtues.More precious than any prayer and sacrifice before God grieve for Him and for His sake; And above all fragrances the stench their sweat.Every virtue performed without bodily labor, consider the premature and inanimate fruit of the womb.The offerings of the righteous are the tears of their eyes, and a pleasant The sacrifice to God is their sighing during vigils.The righteous and oppressed will cry out to the Lord bodies, and in sickness they will send up prayers to God, and to the cry of the voice the Holy Ranks will come to their aid to encourage and comfort them hope; because St. Angels, in their closeness to the Saints, men, have fellowship in their sufferings and sorrows.
Wine warms the body, and the Word of God warms the mind.Those who are inflamed with fervor are delighted by reflection about what they hope for, and prepare their thoughts for the age to come.Those who are drunk with wine do not see obstacles before them: Those who are intoxicated with hope know neither sorrow nor anything else of the world.Blessed are those who for the sea of sorrows, for the love of To God, they girded their loins with simplicity and an inquisitive disposition, and do not turn the back.Those who have entered the obstinate path with hope have not go back, and do not stop to enter research on this. But when they cross the sea, then, looking for the obstinacy of the way, they offer thanks to God, that He delivered them from straits, rapids, and from such a rough path, – while they did not know it.Hope, setting sail, sails with the first ardor, not caring for the body in the least, and not reasoning with herself whether or not there will be any success from the work that is being started.When you want to start God’s work, do it first testament as a person who can no longer live in this world, as one who prepared for death, and despaired of the present life, as having reached the time of his time.Begin every good deed with courage, and not with Approach such things with double-mindedness, do not waver in your heart thine in trusting in God, lest thy labor become is useless, and your work is burdensome.
The deeds of those who live according to God are as follows:One strikes his head on the ground all day long, and does this is instead of performing the service, i.e. hours.Others with constant and prolonged kneeling connects the number of prayers.The other replaces God’s for himself with a multitude of tears service and is content with that.Some try to understand the meaning of what they read, and copulate with this a certain rule.Another torments his soul with hunger, so that he is unable to sometimes perform God’s services.Another, abiding in fervent instruction in the Psalms, his service makes continuous.Someone spends time reading and warms his heart.Some are given into captivity, contemplating the Divine meaning in the Divine Scriptures.Another, who is amazed by the miracles that amaze him in poems, refrains from ordinary reading, and takes possession of silence.The other, having tasted all these things and was satisfied, returned backwards and became inactive.Another, having tasted only a small thing, and being haughty, went into Delusion.Others were prevented from keeping their heavy rule illness and impotence; and to another – predominance any habit or wish, or covetousness, or vanity, or covetousness, or addiction to collecting material things.Some stumbled, but arose, and did not turn his back; until he received a pearl of great value.
The beginning of everything is a good intention before God (determination to please God).After that, after departing from the affairs of life, there follows: hunger, reading, all-night vigil and sober vigil – to the best of one’s ability and a multitude of prostrations, which are useful to be performed during the day, and often at night.Let it be the smallest measure for you to lay thirty prostrations, then bow down to the honorable cross and thus finish.But there are also those who increase as much as they can This is the number of prostrations. Others in one prayer spend three Having a sober mind, and having thrown his face to the ground without compulsion and soaring of thoughts, (i.e. – some often, but they pray little by little; and other times they stand for prayer, but stand for a long time).
Our devil’s rival has an ancient custom with those who enter upon podvig cunningly diversify their struggle. Using various weapons against them, and considering the by the intention of the person, he changes the method of fighting.The first method of enemy warfare. – Which lazy in will, and feeble in thoughts, against those from the very The beginnings attack strongly, raising strong ones against them temptation, so that from the first podvig fear would envelop them, their path would have seemed cruel and impassable to them, and They said: “If the beginning of the way is so hard and difficult, then Can anyone endure it to the very end of many, the struggles that lie ahead in it?”And the devil does not wage war with them for a long time, but soon puts them to flight. This is because with doubt and through coldness they entered into the Lord’s podvig. And God commands us to enter into this podvig with a willingness to die for the sake of pleasing Him, promising to crown the faithful worker with honor martyrdom.As they did not dare to put themselves to death in the beginning, and turn out to be so weak. For this reason and in all battles he did not they are already stable, being selfish, and most of all sparing your body. And the enemy drives them away like a storm, not seeing in them spiritual strength, which is customary to see in the Saints.By man’s will, strive for God, and God He assists, helps, and shows him His providence for him. And the devil cannot approach a person, or lead him to temptations, if man does not despise, or God does not will let him go.
The second technique. “Who, as he sees the devil, courageous, do not count death for anything and go to the work with great zeal; Such people do not suddenly come out to meet the devil, and at their first striving does not enter into battle, knowing that zealous warriors are not easily defeated There are.Therefore, as long as he sees them as such, he does not even dare to touch them until he sees that they have grown cold in their jealousy, and such as they have prepared for themselves in their thoughts weapons, relinquished themselves by changing the Divine words and mindfulness that assists and assists them.How soon will they begin to deviate from the first thoughts and will begin to invent on their own behalf what serves to overcoming them, in themselves by exhausting caresses their wisdom, and of themselves they will seek out for their souls the pit of perdition from laziness by the soaring of thoughts, from the in whose thoughts and hearts coldness reigns, then he mercilessly rushes at them.And the devil refrains from attacking them to this day, for a certain power surrounds those who are with the flaming they strive for God with zeal, hope in Him and believe in Him. For this reason, God repels from them the cruelty of the devil malice, and it does not approach them. The enemy is restrained when he sees A guardian who always guards them. For until they reject the causes of help, prayers, labors of humility, hitherto the Intercessor and Helper never departs from them.
Remember, then, that which proceeds in the wake of God at all times of his podvig, the beginning and the first zeal at the entrance to the this path, and those flaming thoughts with which thou didst go forth into the For the first time from his home he joined the military ranks. Each test yourself for a day, so that the fervor of your soul does not grow cold Not in any of the instruments in which thou hast clothed thyself, nor in jealousy, what flame burned in you at the beginning of your podvig. AND Unceasingly lift up thy voice in the midst of the military camp, encouraging and encouraging to courage the children of the right hand of the country, show the enemy that you are sober. At the same time, call upon God safely, weep before His goodness, shed tears and labor until He sends you a Helper. AND then you will no longer be defeated.
The third method of enemy warfare. – When the enemy will see the power that man receives from God for his zeal and calling upon Him with faith, then he strives to find some way – to distance him from him the Angel who helps him, – namely, he tries to stir up there are thoughts of pride in him, so that he thinks within himself that all his strength depends on his own strength, and he himself by his strength he preserves himself from his adversary and murderer. Who believes such thoughts instilled by the enemy, and departs from it God’s help, and he falls into the hands of the enemy. And who doesn’t succumbs to these suggestions, but firmly holds the memory of Who cooperates with him, and the eye of his heart does not cease to aspire to the sky; against which the enemy invents new methods of swearing.
The fourth method of enemy warfare is consists in the fact that it begins to oppress a person, natural needs (especially the need for wife, and the need to have something to live on).(Regarding the wife). Although he cannot force a person to do something like this by deed, because a person is protected silence, and his dwelling is far from the occasions and causes of sin, however, it is intensified to make the mind of the ascetics saw it in the ghost, and tries to form in them a false dreams in the guise of truth. At the same time, so that they come to lust for the dreamed produces in them tickling and encourages us to dwell on shameful thoughts with our thoughts, to agree to them, and to become guilty of them. For the enemy knows that the ascetic has victory and victory over him is produced by his thought and is accomplished in a short moment, as soon as the thought moves from its place and from his height he shall descend to the earth, and by his own will will show his consent for a moment, as well as This has happened to many in a dreamy performance of female beauty. But if they approached the world by one or in two fields, the enemy often resorted to the fact that really brought women to them. To this and the like The enemy sometimes won victory over the careless and not strong heart. But others proved stronger than these temptations, and, helped by the grace of God, they defeated the enemy and his dreams.(Regarding the second need). Often did the same the enemy, that they dreamily saw gold, precious things, and other treasures, and sometimes he showed them by his very deed This is in the hope that, perhaps, he will succeed in such a dreams to stop one of them in the course of it, and to stumble with one of his nets and snares. This is allowed for so that it would be known whether they were really at the removal of of these things in hermitage, with their deprivation and poverty, are God-loving, and when they encounter these things, they try, out of love for to despise them, and those who are deceived by them do not yield to them victories over oneself, counting them as nothing in comparison with love God’s. True ascetics do not succumb even after being tested they are refined like gold in a furnace; and the negligent and the weak and by little need in case of lack are overcome and they turn back, renouncing the feat.
As soon as someone realizes his weakness and really will feel it; immediately raises his soul from weakness and is stocking up on caution. But no one can feel weakness his own, if not even a small temptation is allowed to come upon him, whether bodily or mental, and will not be granted to him getting rid of it. For then he will clearly see the barrenness his own efforts and measures, will see that his caution, abstinence, and protection of the soul, in which he I hoped to find safety, but they did not bring any benefit, and that deliverance came beyond all this. Hence it turns out a certificate to them that he himself is nothing, and that he can only save God’s help.Whoever knows that he has need of God’s help performs many prayers. And to what extent it multiplies them, such is his heart humbled. For everyone who prays and asks can’t help but put up with it. But the heart is contrite and humble God will not despise (Psalm 50:19).As soon as a person humbles himself, he immediately surrounds him mercy. And then the heart feels Divine help, and acquires a certain power of confidence that is aroused in him (in God). And when a person feels that God’s help will really help him, then his heart is truly filled with faith.From this he understands that prayer is a refuge To those who seek help, a fountain of salvation, a treasure of hope, a harbor that saves from trouble, a support for the weak, a cover for the In times of temptation, a shield of deliverance in battle, an arrow sophisticated for enemies, and it is revealed to him that everything A multitude of spiritual blessings is made available to him prayer. From now on he begins to delight in the prayer of faith; He no longer prays with difficulty and fatigue, but with joy heartfelt and amazed, incessantly exuding thanksgiving movements, with innumerable genuflections.
By a great desire for God’s help, man to God, abiding in prayer. But to what extent he draws near to God by his intention, and so is God draweth nigh unto him with His gifts, and does not take away from him grace for his great humility.Sometimes, however, a generous God withholds gifts from him grace, so that this may serve as an incentive for him draw near to God, and that for the sake of his need man he was constantly before God, ready to pour out what he served for good.God fulfills some petitions quickly, namely those without which no one can be saved, and others tarry executed. In other circumstances, it reflects from it and dissipates the scorching power of the enemy, and allows others to fall into into temptation, so that this trial would serve as a cause for him to draw near to God, – and that he may learn experience in temptations, and having before his eyes the testimony of his infirmity, he was more and more strengthened in humility.A righteous man, who does not know his weakness, has his deeds as on the razor’s edge, and he is not far from falling and the pernicious lion of pride. Whoever does not know his own weakness there is a lack of humility; but whoever does not reach it has not reached it still perfection; but he who has not attained it always remains in the fear; for his city is not built upon pillars iron and on brass pragues, i.e. on humility. Without humility the work of man (sought) cannot be done, and to the manuscript of his freedom has not yet been sealed with the seal of the Spirit, “Hitherto he is still a slave, and his work is not free from fear.
For this reason the Lord leaves to His Saints reasons for humility and to contrition of heart in fervent prayer, so that those who loved Him drew near to Him through humility. AND often frightens them with the passions of their nature and encroachments of shameful and impure thoughts, and often reproaches, insults and insults from people, sometimes illnesses and bodily infirmities, at other times, poverty and poverty of necessary needs, then torment intense fear, abandonment, manifest warfare of the devil, and various terrible incidents. And all this in order to to have reasons for humility and not to fall into slumber negligence.
When it happens that your soul is fulfilled inwardly darkness, and just as the sun’s rays are covered by the earth in the haze of clouds, the soul is deprived of spiritual consolation, and the light of grace within is dimmed, because of the cloud of passions that overshadows the soul, and because Your somewhat joyful power is diminished, and your mind an unusual haze dawned on him; Do not be troubled by thought, but be patient, – read the books of teachers, force yourself to pray, – and wait for help. It will come soon, which you will not know you. For as the face of the earth is revealed by the sun’s rays from the airy darkness that envelops the earth, so prayer can to destroy and dispel in the soul the clouds of passions, and to illuminate the mind with the light of joy and consolation.
Until thou hast reached the region of tears, hitherto hidden Yours still serves the world, i.e. you still lead life worldly, and God’s work you do still as an external person, and thy inner man is barren; for his fruit begins with tears.When you reach the region of tears, then know that your mind He came out of the prison of this world, and set his foot in the path of the new century, and began to smell the stench of the wonderful new air. Tears begin to flow because birth is approaching spiritual infant. Common mother of all, grace, mysteriously longs for the light of the next age to produce Divine image.But this order of tears is not the same as it is with intervals silent (sometimes in contemplation, sometimes in reading, sometimes during prayer). I am not speaking of this order of tears, but of what a day and night.The eyes of the one who has reached this measure are like a source of water for up to two or more years, and then he comes to peace thoughts.And after the pacification of thoughts, as much as it contains in part nature, enters into that rest of which the Holy Spirit spoke. Paul (Heb. 4:3).And after this peaceful repose the mind begins to contemplate secrets.Then the Holy Spirit begins to reveal to him the heavenly things, and God dwells in him, and raises up in him the fruit of the Spirit.But listen again: when you enter the realm of peace thoughts, then a multitude of tears will be taken away from you, – and tears come to you in moderation, and at the right time.
There are three ranks in which a person excels: novices, the middle order and the order of the perfect.Whoever is in the first rank, at least has a way of thinking inclined to good, but the movement of the mind is in the passions.The second rank is something in between the state of passion and dispassion, and right and neck thoughts are aroused in a person in the same way, and he does not cease to to exude both light and darkness.At the same time, if he does not stop frequent reading for a long time of the Divine Scriptures and the imagination in the mind of the Divine ideas, with caution in the external, from which inner guarding is also born, then a person is carried away in passion.But if he nourishes his ardor for spiritual things in this way, seeking, striving, by reading the Scriptures nourishing good thoughts and restraining them from deviating to the country Lovingly guarding his soul, and clinging to God with patience in tireless prayer, then God will finally open it to him His door, especially because of his humility; because the revelation He is humble in wisdom (and this is the third order).
Hope in God is preceded by work for God and shed in the work of sweat.If you believe in God, then you are doing well. But faith demands works, and hope in God is revealed in suffering for the virtue.Do you believe that God thinks of His creatures and is all-powerful? Let your faith be accompanied by a decent work; and then God will hear you. Do not try to hold in your handful wind, i.e. faith without works.Often, some, without knowing, follow the path where there is a wild a beast, or murderers, or anything like that; And here is the general God’s Providence saves him from harm, or slows him down in some way the procession of the traveler until the wild beast moves aside, or forcing him to deviate from the path of some meeting.Sometimes the evil serpent lies in the way and is invisible; but God, not Though to give a man over to that temptation, he does that the serpent begins to hiss suddenly, starts moving and crawls ahead of the traveler, who, seeing him, accepts precautions and is saved.It often happens that a house, or a wall, or a stone, and someone is sitting there, and God He commands the Angel to hold back what is falling, until whether those who sit there will depart or not; And they will hardly depart they immediately let their mouths fall.All this and similar things are the work of God’s Common Providence and universal; but the righteous have a special thing over him inseparable providence.God commanded other people to dispose judiciously their works, and in God’s providence, to use and but the righteous man acquired faith instead of knowledge, according to which feareth nothing, but walketh as a lion that trusteth (Proverbs 28:1).And as his constant care is consecrated to God, so is God He says of him: I am with him in his affliction, I will kill him and I will glorify him; With the length of days I will fulfill it, and I will show it to Him My salvation (Psalm 90:15, 16).A paralyzed and lazy person cannot have of such hope. But whoever abides with God in all things, to Him draweth nigh with the goodness of his works, and the eyes of his heart vigilantly directs to His grace; he can say about To himself, as the Divine David said: My eyes are gone, From which I trust in my God (Psalm 68:4).
When we seek to flee from the world, then nothing is so much separates us from Him, does not mortify the passions in us, and does not enlivens us to spiritual things, as weeping and heartfelt by reasoning, pain. But also nothing makes us so many accomplices of the world, and does not remove so much from the treasures wisdom and knowledge of the mysteries of God, as ridicule, and, with liberty in handling, soaring thoughts. “And this is the work of the prodigal demon.I beseech thee, with love, to beware of the enemy’s malice, that You can’t cool the fervor of love in your soul to Christ, who for thy sake tasted gall on the tree of the cross, and so that the enemy, instead of this sweet exercise and boldness before God, did not stand up while awake your soul to be filled with many dreams, and during sleep to captivate her with absurd dreams, the stench of which is not the Angels endure.Compel yourself to imitate the humility of Christ, so that the fire that he put into you has been kindled, with which all movements of the world that kill the new man and defiling the courts of the Holy and Almighty Lord. For I dare say with St. Paul that we are the Temple of God (1 Cor. 3, 16). Therefore, as pure is God Himself, let us purify His temple, so that He And since He Himself is Holy, let us also sanctify the temple Him; let us adorn it with all kinds of good and honest works, let us perfume it with the fragrance of the peace of the will of God, pure and heartfelt prayer. Then the cloud of His glory will overshadow the soul, and the light of His majesty will shine within the heart.
A person with many cares cannot be silent; for a multitude of works dissipate his silence and silence, even if he didn’t want to.A monk must place himself before the face of God and always to lift up his eye to God, if he truly wants to guard his mind, to deflect alien movements that creep into it, and in the silence of thoughts, to distinguish between what comes and what goes out.Without liberation from cares, do not seek the light in your soul, nor silence and silence with the licentiousness of your feelings. Without unceasing prayer is impossible to draw near to God. After the work of prayer is placed on the mind of a new care produces a dissipation of thoughts.Tears, beating one’s chest while praying, and ardent zeal for the continuation of prayer, awaken in heart with the fervor of the sweetness of tears, and the heart with praise soars to God with ecstasy, crying out: “The soul is thirsty” my unto Thee, the mighty and living God: when I come and I will appear before Thy face (Psalm 41:3). – Who drank from wine and then he lost it, he alone knows in what miserable he was left to the state, and what was taken from him because of the weakening it.
How harmful it is for those who live in silence to meet people and a conversation with them! – Like a mighty hail, suddenly falling on the fruits of the trees, beats them and destroys them, so meetings with people, at least for a short time, beat flowers virtues, which have just blossomed and luxuriously crowned the stem of the soul, planted at the outflow of the waters of repentance (Psalm 1:3).Like a strong hoarfrost, covering the ground that has barely emerged from the ground greenery, burns it, so does a meeting with people burn the root of the mind, which began to produce from itself the seed of virtues.Like a noble and honorable man, when he gets drunk, forgets his nobility and is ridiculed for alien thoughts that come from wine, so is the chastity of the soul he is indignant at seeing people and talking to them: – A person forgets his caution, in his thoughts the intention of his will is blotted out, and the foundation of his will is rooted out laudable order of life.
Do not think, man, that in all monastic life there was any work more important than the night vigil. Through him, if the ascetic does not have entertainment in bodily affairs and care for the transitory, his mind will soar in a short time woe, as it were on wings, and will be exalted to the delight of God. If a monk with prudence abides in the vigilance of the mind, then you will see in him as if he were not a flesh-bearer. It is impossible that those who spend their whole lives in this occupation, were left God without any gifts for their sobriety, cheerfulness hearts and the caring aspiration of their thoughts to Him. The soul that labors to remain in vigil will have Cherubic eyes, that they might unceasingly lift up her gaze and to contemplate the celestial spectacle.
He who has chosen this Divine work must in every way to protect oneself during the day from the revolt of gatherings and from the care of otherwise he will bear the labor of abstaining from sleep, and the fruit from he will not receive it; because the mind, in this case, is impossible will participate properly in psalmody and prayer. But when, instead of worries, someone exercises in reading during the day Divine Scriptures, which strengthens the mind, especially serves as a watering for prayer, and helps vigil, closely combined with prayer; then in this reading he finds a leader on the right path, he finds that in which is the seed of all that nourishes prayerful contemplation, which keeps thoughts from soaring, constantly sowing in the soul the remembrance of God.
Constant silence together with reading, moderate eating food and vigil soon arouse thought to amazement, if there is no reason to violate the silence. The thoughts that are aroused in the silent are themselves without deliberate effort, they make both eyes tears pouring from them, washing the cheeks with their abundance, the baptismal font is likened.
Until someone hates the causes of sin, in truth, from of the heart, he is not freed from that pleasure, produced by the efficacy of sin. This is the most cruel thing struggle (with the pleasure of sin), which is not inferior to man even to the point of bloodshed. In him, his freedom is tempted in unity (in exclusive) his love for virtue.In this struggle is the power of sin, with which the enemy is usually it confuses the souls of the chaste; coercing them to experience something that they have never taken into themselves at all. AND This is a time of invisible feat, which is extremely difficult It happens when this warfare acquires from the acquired habit great power over those who gave themselves over to defeat by allowing one’s own thoughts.
Beware of idleness; because in it is hidden certain death, and without it it is impossible to fall into the hands of those who seek to take us captive. On that day God will judge us not for the Psalms, not for our abandonment of prayer, but for the fact that by omitting this, the demons are given entrance. And when, having found for himself place, they will come in and close the doors of our eyes, then they painfully fulfill upon us that which they subject to God’s condemnation and the most severe punishment.Performing this (the rite of psalmody and prayers) inside the cell established by the wise, according to the spirit of revelation, for protection of our life, and among the foolish the omission of this is recognized unimportant. Because the latter do not take these into account that comes from that harm, then is the beginning and the middle of their way – ignorant freedom, which is the mother of passions.
We cannot do so that we do not have reasons to passions; therefore we are tempted and do not want to. Do not have sins for yourself We do, but it happens that the causes that lead us to them we take it with pleasure; and then these latter are made the guilt of the efficacy of the former. Who loves reasons for passions, he is involuntarily enslaved to the passions.Whoever hates his sins will cease to sin: and who if he confesses them, he will receive absolution. It’s impossible man to abandon the habit of sin, if he does not acquire before enmity to sin, and it is impossible to receive remission before confessing sins.
As long as a man carries within himself the poison of intoxication with his sins, everything that he does seems decent to him. And if Soon nature leaves her rank, no matter whether she is intoxicated it is wine, or lusts: for it brings out both from the present state, is the same for both ignition occurs in the body; Although the methods are different, but dissolution is one.
If you are alone in your cell, and have not gained if you still have the power of true contemplation, then always occupy yourself the reading of troparia and kathismas, remembrance of death and hope of the future.All this gathers the mind into one, and does not allow it to spin, until true contemplation comes; because the strength of the spirit more powerful than passions.In the hope of the future, occupy yourself with the remembrance of God, Try to understand well the meaning of the troparia, and beware everything external that impels you to lust; and together be careful also about the little things that you do in the your cell.Examine your thoughts, and pray that in every To have your eyes in your occupation: from this it will begin to flow Joy to you; and then you will find such sorrows that sweeter than honey.
No one can conquer the passions, except visible and perceptible virtues; and no one soaring the mind cannot overcome, except by the study of the spiritual Management.Our mind is light, and if it is not bound by any reflection, does not stop vaping. And without perfection in the above-mentioned virtues it is impossible to acquire this preservation; Therefore, that if one does not conquer his enemies, he cannot be in the world.Passions serve as a barrier to the hidden virtues of the soul; and if they are not first deposed by manifest virtues, then the inner virtues are not visible behind them.
Love for God is naturally ardent, and when it attacks on whom without measure, makes that soul rapturous. In the feeling This love is seen as an extraordinary change: His face becomes fiery and joyful, and his body is warmed; fear and shame depart from him; honors a terrible death joy; the contemplation of his mind does not admit of any suppression in the thought of heavenly things; he does not feel movement excited by objects, because although he does something, he does not feel it at all, because his mind soars in contemplation, and his thought is always, as it were, conversing with someone.The Apostles and martyrs. And some went around the world, toiling and enduring reproach, and others in terrible sufferings did not faint-hearted, but endured valiantly. “Others wandered in the deserts, mountains, and caves, and in the troubles there were the most well-maintained; they were considered foolish, but they were of wise ones.
Asceticism is the mother of holiness; from him the first experience of the sensation of the mysteries of Christ takes place, what is called the first degree of spiritual knowledge.A defiled soul does not enter into the pure kingdom, and does not combined with the spirits of the Saints.Smooth the goodness of thy chastity with tears, fasts, and solitary silence.A small tribulation for God’s sake is better than a great deed done without sorrow. What is done without difficulty, i.e. the truth of the world people who give alms from the outside, but in themselves acquiring nothing. But thou shalt strive within thyself, and suffer Christ, that you may be vouchsafed to taste glory Christ’s. The mind will not ask Jesus if the body does not suffers for Christ.
There are two ways to ascend the cross: one is the crucifixion of the body, and the other, the ascent into contemplation; The first is the result of liberation from passions, and the second – a consequence of the efficacy of the works of the spirit.The mind does not submit if the body does not submit to it. Kingdom of the mind is the crucifixion of the body: and the mind will not be punished by God, if freedom is not subject to reason. Whoever submits himself to God is close to submitting to him.
The foundation of all that is good, the return of the soul from the of the enemy’s captivity, the path leading to light and life, is all This is contained in the following two ways: to gather oneself in one and always fast, i.e. wisely and prudently to make it a rule to abstain from the womb, which is not the original Staying in one place, unceasingly engaged in contemplation of God.Hence the obedience of feelings, the sobriety of the mind, the taming of the fierce passions aroused in the body, bright movements thoughts, diligence in deeds of virtue, tears and memory mortal, pure chastity, far from all dreaming, tempting thought, in short, hence the freedom of the true spiritual joy and resurrection with Christ in the Kingdom.Whoever neglects these two ways, let him know, that he will not only injure himself in all that is before him is said, but it will shake the very foundation of all virtues, – and will come to the next two, opposite to that vices, I mean bodily wandering, and dishonorable gluttony. This is the essence of the beginning of the opposite of what has been said, and they give place in the soul to all passions.
The enemy, knowing the times of our natural needs, that induce nature to satisfy itself, knowing that from wandering of the eyes and the rest of the womb, the mind is whirling, tries at such times to encourage us to We increased our natural needs, and sowed in images of evil thoughts, so that the passions may be intensified struggle prevailed over nature, and man was mired in Falls. Because the enemy watches such times, so it behooves us, in these especially times, to be wise, and not to allow oneself to recklessly fulfill the will of those who are forced thoughts, not to yield victory over oneself to hunger, much less to to move from the place of his silence and not to go where This conveniently happens to us, so as not to prepare through it pretexts for leaving the wilderness altogether.
The enemy stands before our eyes day and night, notices, waits and looks out, no matter how open the entrance of our senses. And when we allowed negligence in any one thing, then this cunning and shameless The dog shoots his arrows at us.Sometimes nature begins to love peace of its own accord, liberty, laughter, soaring thoughts, laziness – and it is done the source of passions and the abyss of rebellion; and sometimes the enemy inspires this in the soul.Take care to indulge yourself in small things, so that you do not come to indulgences in great and great falls. And small Negligence, as someone has said, often leads to great dangers. And in small and insignificant things to always be sober, “That’s wisdom.
Do not be discouraged when it is a matter of delivering to you life, and do not be lazy to die for it; because cowardice a sign of despondency, and negligence is the mother of both.A fearful person makes himself known that he suffers with two ailments, i.e. love of life and lack of faith.Love of life is a sign of unbelief. But who neglects by this, he certifies that he believes in God with all his soul, and awaits the future.Heartfelt cheerfulness and disregard for dangers can be one of the following two reasons, or by great faith in God, or by hardness of heart. Hardness of heart is followed by pride, and Behind faith is humility of heart.
A person cannot acquire hope in God if before, according to my measure, I did not fulfill His will. For the hope of God and courage of heart are born of the testimony of conscience, and only with the true testimony of our minds do we have hope in God.The evidence of the mind consists in the fact that man is no small does not condemn the conscience, as if he had disdained about something like this, to which he is obliged to the best of his ability. If He Does Not Condemn Us our heart, the boldness of the Imam, to God (1 John 3:3, 21). Therefore boldness is the consequence of success in virtues and a good conscience.
Constant silence and the preservation of silence occur in the for the following three reasons: or for the sake of glory human, or out of ardent zeal for virtue, or because man has within himself a certain Divine conversation, and his mind is drawn to it.Virtue is the non-manifestation of many and different deeds done bodily, but the wisest thing in hope is the heart; because the right end binds him to God.The mind can do good without bodily deeds; And the body without wisdom of the heart, even if he does anything, he cannot extract from the of no use.However, the man of God, when he finds convenience in doing a good deed, will not tolerate it so as not to prove it love for God through the labor of one’s work.
In the struggle against the movements of carnal lust, revere for oneself as a strong weapon – to distance oneself from the sight of women; because the enemy cannot produce in us what in the Nature is able to do it by its power. Don’t think that nature forgets what is naturally implanted in it by God for childbearing and for testing those who are in this podvig. But Separation from the objects of desire kills in the members lust, produces forgetfulness of it and destroys it.Objects, when they are not seen, produce light and barely perceptible movement; and objects, when they are seen, excite passions with intimacy, nourish them as oil nourishes the burning of the lamp, – and the passion, already dead and extinguished, ignite again.Natural movement, without adding anything from without, cannot disturb the purity of arbitrariness and disturb chastity; because God did not give power to nature to overcome the good will, to strive towards Him.But if we are sometimes carried away by the sensual, and we give ourselves up either to eating and drinking in excess of measure number, or getting closer to women, looking at them and conversation about them, which ignites and quickly the fire of lust spreads in the body; then naturally A gentle movement in the body is changed at the same time in a fierce and indomitable – by these additions to nature according to the the motives of his will.Whatever God has created, He has created everything beautifully and proportionately. And as long as the measure is correctly preserved in us conformity with nature, natural movements cannot to compel us to deviate from the path: but in the body some are stirred up harmonious movements that only let you know what is in the natural passion, without however producing tickling and confusions, strong to hinder chastity.
Sometimes there is movement in the members and by God’s permission for our conceit. Of this battle we know that when the long We are attentive to ourselves and work hard, even we consider ourselves to have succeeded a little, we are allowed to to endure it in order to learn humility.Other warfare still arises from our dissipation, and excessive repose of the flesh, through the abandonment of all things sorrowful and difficult in the order of our life, moreover, the non-initial stay in the cell, and the hardships bodily labor. Sorrow, difficulty, and crowding life binds and kills voluptuousness; And the benefit, satisfied and the rest of the flesh is untied, nourished, and grown.God and His angels rejoice when we are in need, and the devil and the workers of it, when we are at rest. Regret and straitness expands and adapts the fulfillment of the commandments; and peace gives place to the passions, and through this it constrains and stops the work commandments.In the oppressed body, thoughts cannot be given over to dangerous things soaring. When someone joyfully bears the labors and sorrows, then he can easily restrain his thoughts, because that by labor they are brought to inaction.When a person, remembering his former sins, punishes himself, then God looks upon him with good pleasure. God rejoices that, for deviating from His way, he himself imposed on punishment – which serves as a sign of repentance. And what the more he compulsions his soul, the more he increases God is pleased with him.And any joy, the cause of which is not virtue, is to the one who has acquired it, he immediately arouses lustful movements.
The virtues are successive from one another, so that the way virtue was not difficult and burdensome, so that it would be possible to to succeed in them in order, and to find it for oneself relief, and thus so that the very difficulties endured for the sake of virtue, they became amiable, as something good.Thus, no one can acquire non-acquisitiveness if it does not prepare itself to to endure temptations with joy.And no one can endure temptation except who was convinced that for the sorrows for which he had prepared one can accept something that transcends bodily peace.Who deprives himself of material things, but has not taken away from himself the reality of the senses, I mean sight and hearing, – he has prepared for himself a great sorrow, and it will be especially to be in distress and to grieve. For if mental representations things without the things themselves produce in man the morbid feeling – what we will say when we are with us and close to us the very things? – In this case, from the sensations produced by by these things, a person endures the same thing that he previously endured when committing a case; because remembering the habit of nim does not come out of his thoughts.How beautiful is the hermitage in this respect! In it, only thoughts remain tempters; but also to taming it greatly contributes to thoughts.
Do not seek to borrow advice from man, who does not lead the same way of life as you, although he and extremely wise. Entrust your thoughts better to man to the unlearned, but to the one who has experienced the matter, rather than to the learned A philosopher who discusses his research does not having experienced it in practice.Gaining experience means not being suitable only for a person to any things and look at them without taking them into oneself knowledge of them, but after a long treatment of them it is clear on experience, their benefits and harms.Often a thing outwardly seems harmful, but inside it everything turns out to be full of benefit; and vice versa – often the thing seems to be useful, but inwardly full of harm.Therefore, use such an adviser who, having experienced everything, himself, knows how to discuss in patience what requires reasoning and in in your work, and can truly point out what is truly useful to you.
When you find unchanging peace on your way, be afraid; because you are far from the straight path, trodden with the weary feet of the Saints.While you are still on the way to the city of the kingdom, a sign of of thy approach to the city of God, let it be for thee the following: strong temptations meet you; – and with what the nearer and more prosperous, the more Your temptations are multiplied.Therefore, as soon as on your way you feel in your soul the greatest and strongest temptations; know that at this time Your soul has indeed secretly stepped into a new higher degree, and that her grace was increased in that state, in how it is set; because according to greatness grace, in the same measure in the sorrow of temptations God brings in the soul.If the soul is weak and does not have sufficient strength to great temptations, and therefore asks that she not enter into the and God will listen to her; then you probably know that in which the soul does not have sufficient strength for great temptations, it is just as inadequate for great gifts; and how access to it is forbidden to great temptations, so are they forbidden and great talents. Because God does not give great things gifts without great temptation; commensurate with temptations are also determined by God and gifts, according to His wisdom, which they do not comprehend those created by Him.
Temptations at Entering into a Good Life and at the Time of It differs from the temptations that are allowed to for admonition for the pride of the heart.Temptations that occur to the soul from the spiritual rod to its to prosper and grow, and by which it learns, is tested and introduced into podvig, the essence is as follows: laziness, heaviness in the body, relaxation of the limbs, despondency, confusion thoughts, suspiciousness from exhaustion of the body, temporary the interruption of hope, the darkening of thoughts, the lack of human help, poverty in the necessities of the body, and that Similar.From these temptations there is a feeling of loneliness in the soul and defenselessness, darkening of the heart and humility. Provident however, it commensurates temptations with strength and needs who accept them. In them both consolation and defeat, light and darkness, battles and help, in short, crampedness and space. And this is a sign that a person with God’s help, he prospers.
Temptations That Occur by God’s Permission on People Who Exalt Themselves Before the Goodness of God and Offend by their pride of God, are the following: the taking away of power wisdom that people have, which does not give a sense of peace in oneself fornicatory thought, which is allowed to come upon them for their humility exaltation, rapid irritability, desire to put all according to his own will, to argue in words, to reprimand, a heart that despises all, a perfect error of mind, blasphemy against the name of God, foolish, ridiculous thoughts, as if men despise them, their honor is reduced to nothing, and secretly and openly, in various ways, shame is inflicted on them and reproach from demons, and finally the desire to be in communion and with the world, to speak unceasingly and recklessly idle talk, always looking for news and even false prophecies, to promise much beyond their strength. And this is the essence spiritual temptations.Among the temptations of the body are: painful, complex, prolonged, incurable seizures, constant encounters with people who are bad and godless, falling into the the hands of offenders, accidental stumbling and dangerous falls, ruinous cases for them and their relatives.All this, which we have set forth, belongs to the number of temptations pride. The beginning of them appears in a person when it begins to he seems wise to himself in his own eyes. And he passes through all these calamities to the extent that he assimilates them to himself thoughts of pride: as many as you have them, as many pride also penetrates into you.
There is another kind of temptation – faint-heartedness lack of patience. Every cramped circumstance and every sorrow, if they do not have patience with them, serve to the torment; For patience in man repels calamities; and faint-heartedness is the mother of torment. Patience is the mother consolation, and a certain power that is usually generated by the the breadth of the heart. It is difficult for a person to find such strength in sorrows without the Divine gift, which is acquired by the persistent by prayer and the outpouring of tears.When it pleases God to subject a person to greater sorrows, then He allows faint-heartedness to fall into his hands. AND it gives rise to the force of despondency that overwhelms him, in which he feels the suppression of the soul, and this is tasting Gehenna; for from here flow a thousand temptations: embarrassment, irritation, blasphemy, complaint about fate, perverse thoughts, migration from one country to another, and so on.The cause of all this is your negligence. You yourself do not he took care to collect a cure for this. And the cure from All this is one thing – humility of heart. Without it no one can destroy the barrier of these evils. As humility is given patience in adversity; As the patience, the severity of sorrows is eased, and consolation; in proportion to consolation, love for God increases; a in proportion to love, the joy in the Holy Spirit increases. God is not takes away temptations from His servants, but gives them patience in temptations, for their faith and surrender to His will.
The bodily life according to God consists of bodily deeds, – bodily feats for the purification of the body from passions in the virtuous activity.A life of the mind is a matter of the heart, unceasingly continued with with a solicitous thought of judgment, also unceasing prayer the thought of God’s Providence and care as a private one, and the general seen in the whole world, and the preservation of oneself from secret passions, so that there is nothing passionate in the the innermost and spiritual realms.
How grace is given to people after baptism repentance; for repentance is a second regeneration from God.Repentance is the door of mercy; by this door we enter into God mercy, and beyond this entrance you will not find mercy.Repentance is the second grace, and is born of faith and fear; and fear is the father’s rod that governs us, until we reach the spiritual paradise of blessings: after which he departs from us.Paradise is the love of God, in which is the enjoyment of all beatitudes. The tree of life is the love of God, from which Adam fell away; and since then he has not been greeted with joy; but He worked and toiled in the land of thorns.Those who are deprived of the love of God, if they walk in righteousness, eat that the bread of sweat in their works, which the first-created are commanded to eat after his fall.He who lives in love bears life from God, and in this the world still smells this air of resurrection. Love is kingdom; about it the Lord mysteriously promised the Apostles that they will eat it in His kingdom. For it is said, “Let us eat and drink at the table of my kingdom” (Luke 22:30), What else does it mean if not love? “Here is the wine which rejoiceth the heart of man (Psalm 103:15). Blessed is he who He will drink this wine!
As it is impossible to cross the great sea without a ship and boats, so no one can achieve love without fear.The stinking sea between us and the mental paradise we can go only to the boat of repentance, on which there are rowers fear. But if the oarsmen of fear do not steer the ship of repentance, on which we come to God on the sea of this world, we are drowning in this stinking sea.Repentance is a ship, and fear is its helmsman, love is the Divine harbor. Fear leads us into the ship of repentance, transports on the stinking sea of life, and guides to the Divine harbor, which is love.All the toiling and burdened come to this pier – by repentance. And when we reach love, then we have attained God, and our way is perfect, and we have come to the island of the world there, where the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
There is knowledge that precedes faith, and there is knowledge, generated by faith. Knowledge that precedes faith is Knowledge is natural, and that which is engendered by faith is knowledge spiritual.Natural knowledge distinguishes good from evil, and it is called natural prudence, which Naturally, without science, we distinguish good from evil.This prudence God put into the rational nature; with with the help of science, it receives an increase and replenishment.There is no person who does not have it. This is power natural guidance in the rational soul, which (power) is constantly being brought into action in it (the soul).The honor of rational nature is prudence, Who distinguishes good from evil, and the Prophet who has lost it He justly likened them to senseless beasts (Psalm 48:13).
Natural knowledge, which precedes faith, is the way to faith and to God. Being placed in our nature by God, it itself convinces us that we must believe God, Who brought all things into being.This faith produces fear in us, but fear compels us for repentance and work (i.e. for doing) is given to a person spiritual knowledge, or the sense of mysteries that gives birth to faith true contemplation.It is not just from bare faith that spiritual things are born Maintenance; but faith begets the fear of God, and with the fear of God, when we begin to act in it, from the action of this fear spiritual knowledge is born, as St. Chrysostom said:”When a man shall acquire a will corresponding to the fear of God and the right way of thinking, then he soon accepts the revelation of the unseen.” By the revelation of the unseen He calls spiritual knowledge.
But it is not the fear of God that gives birth to this spiritual knowledge; a this knowledge is given as a gift to the practice of the fear of God. A matter of fear God’s is repentance; repentance, having gone through its entire course and when completed, it leads to where spiritual knowledge is given.Spiritual knowledge is a sense of the unseen. And when if someone senses this invisible thing, then in the sensation of it is born another faith, not contrary to the first faith, but affirming that faith. They call it contemplative faith. Until then there was a rumor, and now contemplation, contemplation is more certain than hearing.
All this is born of this natural knowledge, distinguishing between good and evil. It is the good seed of virtue.This natural knowledge in man will be followed by – the constant wounding of conscience – unceasing remembrance of death and a kind of painful care, continuing until its very end, and after that sorrow, despondency, fear of God, natural modesty, – sorrow for one’s former sins, proper diligence, remembrance of the common path, care for the parting words to him – tearful enquiries from the God of good entry into these gates, by which it should be to pass through every nature – contempt for the world and a strong struggle for virtue.All this is acquired by natural knowledge, and with by this let everyone compare his deeds.When it turns out that a person has acquired it, then it means that that he walks the natural path; and when he surpasses this, and enters into love, then becomes above nature, and For him, the struggle, fear, labor and fatigue end in everything.These are the consequences of natural conduct. “And this we find it within ourselves when we do not darken this knowledge by his voluptuous will. “And we’ll stay on this one until we come into love, which liberates us from all this.Let everyone, on the basis of all that we have said, compares and tests himself, where his procession is: is it in the what is unnatural, or in what is natural, or in that which is supernatural.
A good thought sinks into the heart only from Divine grace; The evil thought is approaching man only for temptation and trial.A person who has reached the point of knowing the measure of his weakness, He has attained the perfection of humility.The gifts of God are attracted by the heart, which is stirred up to unceasing thanksgiving.The Lord endures all human infirmities, but He does not tolerate it a person who always murmurs and does not leave without admonition.Grace is preceded by humility; but punishment is preceded by self-conceit.The proud one is allowed to fall into blasphemy, exalted by active virtue is allowed to to fall into fornication, but to him who exalts himself in his wisdom one is allowed to fall into the dark nets of ignorance.
Who, in remembrance of God, honors every man, he, at the beckoning of God in secret, receives help from the every person.Whoever defends the offended finds himself a champion God; Whoever stretches out his hand to help his neighbor he accepts the help of God’s arm.Whoever accuses his brother of his iniquity is an accuser finds it in God.Whoever corrects his brother in his cage heals one’s own vice; but whosoever accuses any man before the assembly; he increases the pain of his own ulcers.A friend who denounces secretly is a wise physician, and he who heals before the eyes of many there is a scoffers.
God admonishes with love, and does not take vengeance (but not will be)! He seeks only to heal His image, and does not keep anger.Whoever does good for the sake of recompense soon changes.No matter how much a person is perfected in this life, in their striving for God, everything goes behind Him; in the future God shows him His face, but not that It exists.The righteous here enter into the contemplation of God, contemplate only the image as in a mirror, and there they see the manifestation of truth.
A fire lit in dry wood with difficulty is extinguished: and if in the heart of the renounced – from the world God’s warmth sinks, then its ignition is not quenched, – and it is faster than fire.When the power of wine enters the limbs, the mind forgets the severity of the And the remembrance of God, when it has taken possession of the pasture in the soul, destroys in the heart the remembrance of all that is visible.The feeling of the future age in this world is the same as the small one an island in the sea; and he who approaches him does not trouble himself in the the waves of the visions of this world.A monk, for the time being, sees the need for time, in order to labor, grieves over separation from the body; And when he feels in To his soul, which hath redeemed his time, and hath received his pledge; longs for the age to come.As long as the merchant is at sea, his limbs are afraid lest The waves rose up against him, and the hope of his work was not drowned: As long as a monk is in the world, fear takes possession of his life, lest a storm awoke in him, and his work did not perish, over which he worked from his youth to his old age.
The sailor, while swimming in the sea, looks at the stars, and by the stars corrects the ship until it reaches the piers: and the monk looks at the prayer, because it corrects himself, and directs his procession to that to which his life is directed in hourly prayer.A swimmer without clothes dives into the sea to find pearl; and the monk, having put off everything, passes through his life, to find in yourself the beads – Jesus Christ – and when he finds Him, he no longer seeks anything from Him existing.
It is harmful for Virgo to be in public assemblies and at the crowds, and the mind of the monk in conversation with many.The bird, wherever it is, strives to its nest, to lead there are children: and the prudent monk hastens to his place, to create in himself the fruit of life.Clouds block the sun; but polyphony darkens a soul that began to be enlightened by prayerful contemplation.It is said of a bird called a siren, that every one, Hearing the sweet sound of her voice, he is so captivated that following her in the wilderness, from the sweetness of singing, he forgets his very life, falls and dies. This is similar to what happens to the soul. When the heavenly sweetness falls into it, then from the sweetness words of God, imprinted on the mind with feeling, it is all rushes after him, so that he forgets his bodily life; and the body is deprived of its desires, and the soul is exalted from this life to God.
A tree, if it does not first throw off its former leaves, does not grow new branches; and a monk, until will pour out from his heart the remembrance of his former deeds, does not bring forth new fruits and branches in Christ Jesus.In the shell in which the pearl is born, both It is said that lightning produces a semblance of a spark, and from of air it takes in matter, and until then it remains simple flesh: and the heart of a monk, until he receives into himself understanding of celestial substance, his work is something ordinary, and in its shells does not contain the fruit of consolation.A dog that licks its nostrils drinks its own blood; and because of the sweetness of his blood, he feels no harm and a monk who is inclined to get drunk vanity, drinks his life, and from the sweetness felt at the He is not aware of his own harm.
To the words of the mysteries contained in the Divine Do not approach without prayer and asking for help from But say: “Grant me, Lord, to receive the sensation of the power contained in them.” Consider prayer to be the key to the true meaning of what is said in the Divine Scriptures.When you wish to draw near to God with your heart, prove First of all, his love is through bodily labors. They are supposed to The beginning of the life. “And the Lord laid them in the foundation perfection.Consider idleness to be the beginning of the darkening of the soul, and the darkening of the soul for obscuration – gatherings for conversations. If useful speech, when there is no measure to them, produce obscuration, then how many more vain speech. The soul becomes insignificant from the multitude of long conversations.
Measure and a certain rule in life enlighten the mind and do not allowed to embarrassment.Confusion of the mind from disorder (from the lack of constant rules) produces obscuration in the soul, and by obscuration Again confusion is produced.Peace (spiritual peace) is the result of a good order, and from the light of the world is born; but from light and peace shines in the mind Clean air.
The selfish soul is deprived of wisdom, and the soul the merciful will be made wise by the Spirit.The key to the heart’s Divine gifts is given by love for the neighbor, and, to the extent that the heart detaches itself from the bonds of the body, the door of knowledge is also opened before him.How beautiful and praiseworthy is love for one’s neighbor, if only her care does not distract us from the love of God!
How pleasant is the conversation with our spiritual brethren, if only it is possible to preserve with her the conversation with God!It is also good to take care of conversations with the brethren spiritual, as long as proportionality is observed in this, i.e. as long as Under this pretext, one can not lose one’s secret work and life, and unceasing communion with God.This last one is embarrassed at the very beginning first; for the mind is not sufficient to lead two interviews.Immoderate conversation with spiritual brethren is also harmful; and it is harmful to look at the people of the world only from afar; Even And without vision, the very sound of their voice throws them into confusion peace of heart.
As the soul is by nature better than the body, so is the body of the soul better than the body.But as originally the creation of the body preceded inspiration of life in him, so do bodily deeds precede a spiritual matter.And not a lofty life, invariably continued, great power. A weak drop, constantly dripping, pierces hard stone.When the time draws near for the spiritual resurrection in thee, then joy is kindled in your soul, and Your thoughts are contained within you with that sweetness which in your heart. And while the world is trying to rise again in you, then the soaring of thoughts increases in you.I call the world the passions that are generated from soaring mind.When they are born and reach maturity, they are made sins and kill a person.As children are not born without a mother, so passions do not are born without soaring thoughts, and there is no sin without a conversation with the passions.
If patience grows in our souls, it is a sign that that we have secretly received the grace of consolation.When the soul is intoxicated with the joy of its hope and joy Then the body does not feel sorrows, although it is weak. Then it is able to bear a great burden without manifesting impoverishment in strength.This happens when the soul enters into this spiritual joy.If you keep your tongue, then God will give you the grace of heartfelt tenderness, so that you may see in it their souls, and they will enter into spiritual joy.To what extent one has entered into a feat for the sake of God, to such an extent his heart accepts boldness in his prayer; and in what a person is entertained by many things, in such a way he is deprived of God assistance.
The first thought, which, according to God’s love for mankind, enters into a person and guides the soul to life, is the thought sinking into the heart about the outcome of this nature. This thought is naturally followed by contempt for the world; and This is the beginning of every good movement in man, which leads to him to life. It is also the Divine power that accompanies man, when he wants to discover in the life. “And if a man thinks this thought we have said will not quench in himself with worldly cares and superstitions, but will be to grow it in silence, and dwell on it by contemplation, and will take care of it; then it will lead him to deep contemplation, which no one is able to depict in words. Satan hates this thought, and attacks with all his might, so that to destroy it in man. And if it were possible, I would give it away the kingdom of the whole world, if only by amusement he might be blotted out in the to the mind of man, such is the thought. For the cunning one knows that if this thought abides in a person, then his mind no longer consists of In this land there is deception, and his snares against man are not are approaching.
After this there is another work, when a person goes well through a good life, and draws near to taste the contemplation and practice of it, when from above he will receive the grace to taste the sweetness of spiritual knowledge.The beginning of this work is as follows: man is assured of God’s providence for man; is enlightened by his love for the Creator, and is amazed at the same time the constitution of rational beings and the great care of God for them.From this begins in him the Divine sweetness and ignition of love for God, which is kindled in the heart and burning the passions of the soul and body.This love, with strong diligence and a good conscience, then begins to ignite suddenly, and the man he is drunk with it as with wine, and his heart is taken captive to God.According to the extent to which a person strives for a good life, about spending time in reading and in prayers, in the same way this power is affirmed and strengthened in him.
Let us not be dismayed when we are in darkness. I mean that special obscuration, in which at other times the soul languishes, and it happens as if in the midst of waves; and whether he reads A man Scriptures, or performs a service, in every matter, for whatever he takes, he has defilement after defilement.Such a person leaves the work, and often is not even allowed to do so to approach it. This hour is full of despair and fear; hope in God and the consolation of faith in Him will be completely abolished – and it is completely filled with doubt and fear.But God does not leave the soul in this state for a long time, but soon creates abundance (1 Cor. 10:13).And I will note to you, and give you advice: if you do not have strength to control oneself, and to fall on one’s face in prayer; then clothe thy head with a mantle, and sleep till it is gone for thee this hour of darkness, but do not leave your cell.This temptation is especially experienced by those who wish to carry out the life of the mind, and in their march seeking the consolation of faith. Therefore, this hour torments and tires them most of all hesitation of the mind; This is often followed by blasphemy, and sometimes a doubt comes upon a person in the resurrection, and something else, which should not be told to us.Those who are engaged in bodily affairs are completely free from these temptations. A different kind of despondency comes upon them, known to everyone, which in its mode of action differs from these and similar temptations.Blessed is he who endures these things without going out of the door. However this struggle does not end in one hour; And grace is not sudden comes again and enters the soul, but gradually. And one thing is replaced by another, a time of temptation, and a time of consolation.
A jealous man never comes to the the world of the mind; but he who is a stranger to the world is a stranger to joy. If the world of mind is called perfect health, and zeal is not according to reason is contrary to the world, it means that he suffers from a serious illness the one in whom there is evil jealousy.A heart filled with sorrow for weakness and powerlessness in deeds bodily manifest, replaces all these bodily deeds. Cases bodily without the sorrow of the mind is the same as the body that is not animate.Whoever grieves with his heart and gives freedom to his feelings, is like a man who suffers bodily, and whose his mouth is open to any food harmful to him, or to that which is Who is the only begotten Son, and who little by little He stabs him with his own hands.
Chastity and conversation with a woman are the same as a lioness and a sheep in the same house.Works without mercy before God are the same as a man, who slays the son in the presence of his father.Like a handful of sand thrown into the sea, it is the same – the fall of all flesh in comparison with God’s Providence, and By the grace of God. And as a spring of abundant water is not is blocked by a handful of dust, so the mercy of the Creator is not is overcome by the vices of creatures.To be vindictive and to pray is the same as to sow in sea and wait for the harvest.As the flame of fire cannot but ascend upwards, so prayers the merciful, to ascend to heaven.Like the flow of water on a sloping place, such is the force irritability, when it finds its way into our hearts.
There is humility out of the fear of God, there is humility out of love for God, and it happens through joy.He accompanies the humble in the fear of God at all times modesty in all members, decorum of feelings, and a broken heart.The assembly of the humble is loved by God as a cathedral Seraphim.Precious before God is a chaste body more than a pure one victims.These two virtues are humility and chastity prepare in the soul for the Holy Trinity a wedding pledge.
Watch the womb, but not as the sight; because domestic scolding, without a doubt, is easier than external swearing.Do not believe, brother, that inner thoughts can be stopped without bringing the body into a good and orderly state.Fear habits more than enemies. Nourishing in himself habit is the same as a person who gives food to fire.If the habit demands something once, and the demand for it is not will be fulfilled, then another time you will find her weak. A if you do her will once, you will find her a second time attacking you with much greater force.
Who loves laughter and likes to put themselves on display people, do not be a friend to him; otherwise he will teach you the habit indulge in relaxation.When someone begins to talk about his brother in front of you, Lower your face. As soon as thou hast done this, both before God and before you will be cautious before him.If you give something to the needy, then let the cheerfulness of the face Thy giving precedes thy gift, and with a kind word thou soothest sorrow him. When you do this, then your affection will be in your mind More precious than Thy gift, which would exceed even his needs.In all thy deeds let them precede thee the bodily chastity and purity of conscience; for without them it is vain before God any business.
Let them persecute you, do not persecute them; Let them crucify you, thou shalt not crucify; let them offend you, do not offend them; let You are slandered, you are not slandered.To judge is not a Christian life; There is no such thing and hint in the teaching of Christ.Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep; for this is a sign of cleanliness.Be sick with the sick; shed tears with sinners; c Rejoice in the penitent.Be friendly with all people, and remain in your thoughts one.
Do not rebuke anyone, do not revile anyone, even the extremely thin of his life. Spread out your garment over him who falls, and cover him.Know that for this we must not go out of the door cells, so as not to know the evil deeds of men; And then in in the ignorance of our minds we shall see in all holy and good people.If you cannot labor with your body, at least grieve mentally.If you cannot fast for two days, fast at least until evening; but if you can’t do it evening, beware of satiety.If you are not a peacemaker, then do not be a lover of rebellion.If you are not able to shut the mouth of a friend who condemns your own, then at least beware of entering into communion with him.
Know this, that if fire come out of you, it will burn others, God will seek from your hand the souls that are burned by fire yours. And if you do not cast the fire, but agree with the And you delight in this, then in judgment you will be numbered his accomplices.On all the paths that people walk in the world, they do not find peace; until they draw near to the hope of God.The heart is not pacified by labor and stumbling until hope will come into him, nor will he pacify him, nor will it pour out upon him joy. It is of this that the venerable lips have spoken: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I am give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).The light of the mind begets faith; Faith breeds consolation hope; but hope strengthens the heart.
The Son of God endured the cross; Therefore we sinners boldly We rely on repentance.Sorrow of the mind is enough to replace any bodily work.St. Gregory says: “He is the temple of grace who is in the unity with God, and is always concerned with the thought of His judgment.”Blessed Basil said: “Unceasing prayer produces in the soul a clear thought about God; and our installation in the remembrance of God is the indwelling of God in us.” So we become the temple of God. A broken heart serves preparation for repose in God.
What we gain in the time of our negligence, He puts us to shame during our prayer.Sobriety helps a person more than a deed; a Permission (dissolution of thoughts) harms him more than rest (bodily).From peace arise and disturb man domestic strife, but he has the opportunity to stop them. For how soon man will leave rest, and return to the place of work and battle these shall be taken away from him, and departed. But not like that generated by permission, as is generated by rest. For now Man in the time of rest dwells in the realm of his freedom, he can return again and rule himself according to the the establishment of one’s own rule; because he is still in the region freedom. But giving himself permission (to think with pleasure) goes out of the realm of its freedom. If only a person has not completely rejected the observation of himself, then he does not would be violently and involuntarily forced to submit to what does not give him peace.
Do not give freedom, man, to whom either from feelings so as not to reach the point of impossibility of returning to the freedom. Peace harms only the young, and permission – and old and perfect. As a result of rest, reaching the thin thoughts can again return to the observation of oneself and to affirm himself in his lofty life. And who, in the hope of In fact, they neglected to observe themselves, from the high the lives are led captive into a dissolute life.
Not only then will we be sad when we crawl in something, but especially when we are ossified in the same thing; Therefore, that the encroachment often happens to the perfect, and to become rigid in the same is a complete obscuration.The sorrow that we feel during our encroachments, is imputed to us by grace instead of pure work.Who, in the hope of repentance, will deliberately crawl secondly, he does evil to God; Unknown attacking death is upon him, and he does not reach the time in which he hoped to perform works of virtue.
Everyone who gave free rein to the senses gave free rein to the heart: for the work of the heart serves as a bond for the external senses.If anyone is judiciously engaged in this work, then This is evident from the following three phenomena in it, namely: he is not bound by bodily gains, he does not love gluttony, and does not allow irritability at all. Where do these things take place? three; There is no real dispensation within, even if it is outward It was impeccable.A judicious disregard for the bodily gives rise to nothing Disconnection, disregard for peace and human commitment.If someone willingly, rejoicing, accepts damage for the sake of He is inwardly pure.Who does not look with pleasure at him who has done him honor, and is not indignant at the one who dishonors him in this life He became dead to the world.
Do not hate the sinner; because we are all We are subject to liability. If you rise up against him for God’s sake, then weep for him.And why should you hate him? Hate his sin, and pray for him, that you may become like Christ, Who was not angry on sinners, but prayed for them.Be a preacher of God’s goodness; because God he rules over thee, unworthy; for thou owest much to Him, and His punishment is not seen on you, and for small deeds you He recompenses you with great things.
Fear God out of love for Him, and not by a terrible name, His dowry.Love Him, as you are obliged to love Him, and not because He will give you in the future, but for what we have received in present, and for this one world that He created for us.Who persuaded Him to bring us into existence in the first place?Who beseeches Him for us when we do not remember Him?When we were not yet there, who brought this body to life ours?Whence does the thought of knowledge sink into dust?What immeasurable goodness is our nature in us sinners leads to recreation again!Come, you who are judicious, and be amazed. Who, having a mind wise and wonderful, will worthily marvel at the mercy of the Creator ours?
To what extent will man despise this world and zealous for the fear of God, in such a way he approaches him God’s providence, and in secret a person feels help Providence, and pure thoughts are given to him to understand it.If anyone voluntarily deprives himself of worldly goods, then in to the extent that he is deprived of them, to the same extent accompanies him God’s mercy, and sustains God’s love for mankind.But the souls of those who are not strong enough to gain life for themselves true by voluntary renunciation of everything, involuntary through sorrows He leads to virtue, as we see in the poor Lazarus.God is close to the sorrowful heart of the one who cries out to Him in sorrows. If he sometimes subjects him to bodily deprivation and other sorrows; but the Lord shows great things to the soul of the sorrowful love for mankind, commensurate with the cruelty of suffering in his sorrow.
When the desire for the love of Christ does not prevail in unto thee, that thou mayest be for joy in Christ passionless in all his sorrow; then know that the world lives there is more in you than Christ.When illness, poverty, exhaustion of the body, fear of harmful things Your body is disturbed by your thought to the point that it rejects you from the the joy of thy hope, and from the care of pleasing to the Lord; then know that the body lives in you, and not Christ.Just to say – what is the commitment to in you prevails over everything, and lives in you.If you do not lack what you need, the body well, and you are not afraid of anything contrary – and you say that you can walk to Christ purely; then know that you are sick in mind, and are deprived of the taste of the glory of God.
Lest you say that there was no man who had the mind would be completely elevated above weakness when the body endured ruin in temptations and sorrows, and whose love for Christ would overcome the sorrow of the mind, – I will bring to you the memory of the martyrs, and see how their patience, strengthened by by the power of Christ’s love, overcame the great sorrow and bodily illness.And they were not the only ones who showed such firmness; there were philosophers, the pagans, who did not know the true God, who showed amazing strength of courage. One of them put for himself to remain silent, and did not depart from it decision, despite the obvious danger of death. Others they have completely trampled on natural lust; Others Easily they endured backbiting; others endured cruel cruelties without sorrow diseases; and others have shown their patience in sorrows and great disasters.If they endured it for the sake of vain glory and hope; then not How much more should we, monks, who have been called to communion with God?

Pray

Залишити коментар Cancel reply

Пошук по сайту

Add Pray to your Homescreen!