The Liberation
22. He who forsakes all worldly desires sets himself above all worldly distress.
St. Maximus the Confessor Four Hundred Centuries on Love: #22
Imagine, if you will, a vast desert stretching endlessly in every direction. The burning sands ripple with illusions—mirages of shimmering oases filled with sweet waters and lush trees bearing fruits. Travelers, parched and weary, chase after these visions, hoping to quench their insatiable thirsts and sate their unending hungers. Yet, each time they approach, the mirage vanishes, leaving them emptier than before.
Such is the realm of worldly desires. Like those illusory oases, they promise contentment, joy, and satisfaction. Yet, as we chase them, they often prove elusive, shifting further away and sometimes revealing themselves as mere illusions.
Saying 22 of Maximus the Confessor presents a profound insight: "He who forsakes all worldly desires sets himself above all worldly distress."
In contrast to the desert, picture now a grand mountain, its peak cutting through the clouds, untouched by the searing heat and the shifting sands below. This mountain represents the state of those who forsake worldly desires. They find themselves elevated, above the chaos and confusion of the desert, enjoying a panoramic view of the world, and basking in the cool, pure air of detachment.
By forgoing the relentless chase after mirages, these enlightened souls no longer suffer the anguish of constant longing and the repeated disillusionment of unmet desires. They understand the transient nature of worldly allurements and choose to find solace in the eternal and the unchanging.
Atop this mountain lies a tranquil lake, its waters still and deep. This lake symbolizes the inner peace that comes with detachment from worldly desires. Without the constant ripples and disturbances caused by chasing after fleeting pleasures, the water remains calm, reflecting the truth of the universe with clarity.
Those who reach this state find a serenity that eludes many. They are no longer tormented by the 'what ifs' and 'if onlys' of life. They understand that the key to true contentment lies not in having more, but in desiring less.
Maximus the Confessor's wisdom serves as a guiding star, beckoning us to journey to this higher ground. To forsake worldly desires does not mean to abandon the world, but rather to engage with it from a place of understanding and wisdom. It is to recognize the mirages for what they are and to find the true oases that nourish the soul.
In this elevated state, we become impervious to the storms of disappointment, envy, and dissatisfaction. We become like the mountain—steadfast, serene, and above all, free from the distress that engulfs those still lost in the desert of desires.
In forsaking the chase after the ever-shifting mirages, we find the true oasis of contentment within ourselves, allowing us to drink deeply from its waters and find the nourishment we've always sought.