Unpurified Soul
14. A soul filled with thoughts of sensual desire and hatred is unpurified.
St. Maximus the Confessor Four Hundred Centuries on Love: #14
At the very core of spiritual progression lies the concept of purification. To understand the depth of this saying by St. Maximus, we need to delve into the realms of what constitutes a soul’s purity and why thoughts of sensual desire and hatred are seen as impurities.
First, let’s consider the nature of the soul. Traditional spiritual teachings tell us that the soul is a fragment of the divine, inherently pure and unblemished. Our earthly experiences, however, introduce us to a myriad of emotions, desires, and passions. While these experiences are crucial for growth and evolution, they also have the potential to cloud our soul’s inherent purity, especially when they become obsessive or unchecked.
Sensual desires, in their essence, aren’t negative. They are natural human inclinations towards pleasure and experiences of the senses. Yet, when these desires become the primary driving force of our actions, when they are pursued without restraint or mindfulness, they tether the soul to the transient and ephemeral. The issue isn't the desire itself, but the unbridled attachment to it. This attachment often blinds us to the deeper, spiritual desires of our soul, causing a sort of spiritual myopia.
Hatred, on the other hand, is a powerful and consuming emotion. It's like a dark shroud, obscuring light, vision, and clarity. At its core, hatred stems from ignorance, misunderstanding, or fear. It causes division, breeds more negativity, and firmly anchors the soul in a state of unrest and turbulence. While sensual desires bind the soul to fleeting pleasures, hatred binds it to perpetual pain.
Describing the soul filled with such desires and emotions as "unpurified" isn't a judgment but an observation. It suggests that the soul is not in its natural state; it's like clear water muddied by sediments. The water isn't inherently dirty; it's just not in its clearest state.
Personal introspection and reflection on this saying compel us to ask: How often do unchecked desires or negative emotions influence our decisions? Do they enhance our spiritual growth, or do they hinder it? Are they pulling us towards our true nature, or are they pushing us further away?
Understanding this saying is not about suppressing desires or emotions – it’s about awareness and balance. It's about recognizing when our soul is clouded and taking conscious steps towards purification. This purification process might involve prayer, meditation, acts of kindness, or seeking spiritual guidance. It's a journey back to our soul's natural state – a state of love, peace, and divine clarity.
In the tapestry of life, where desires and emotions are interwoven threads, this saying serves as a gentle reminder. It nudges us to frequently check the state of our soul, to clear away the impurities, and to journey towards our inherent luminosity and purity.