In the rich tapestry of spiritual life, there are many threads that one must weave with care and precision. There is such a fine and insidious thread of the allure of self-esteem: the kind that puffs up, not with a real sense of worth, but with the vanity of one's own accomplishments and spiritual standing. An insidious enemy, who can easily spoil the cloth of our spiritual progress, with his oily mutterings, and false promises of glory.
Read MoreIt is at that moment when every day stands on the very verge of close; it is in the silence of the world, in the time between the whispering day and the hushing of the night. Here in these silent, solitary hours, one can go on a deep journey within, seeking a communion beyond the words. It's time for hunger and vigils, for psalmody and prayer—a time in which, longing for purity, the soul readily embraces the discipline of self-restraint.
Read MoreImagine the soul as a clear, blank canvas, still to be colored by the tints of our thoughts and actions. Every stroke, every hue in this canvas of a personality signifies the ideas entertained, the choices, and the actions. When our actions are ignoble and our thoughts are unclean, it is as though we take a brush dipped in muddied colours and soil the canvas with every careless swathe.
Read MoreWithin the lore of adventures and dreams of seekers, often exists a legend about a treasure that is by no means alike—a jewel so enormously valuable that it would eclipse all earthly riches. It is said to lie in wait at the end of a formidable journey, through treacherous lands and across daunting seas. Seekers of this jewel, through an insatiable desire, dedicate their very lives to the pursuit, for they know that to have this gem is to be content beyond measure.
Read MoreImagine a world in which the boundary between celestial and terrestrial was but a whisper and the echo of angelic harmonies resided in daily living within this walk upon the earth. Yonder in this heavenly rhythm stands a soul—a soul that loves God—a life that moves amidst the peace, the devotion of angels.
Read Moreake a trip back with me to an ancient, bustling marketplace where the heady combination of spice aromas and barter voices can be inhaled in the very air. Here, traders and travelers haggle over goods—silks, silver, and sundries—each item a temporary treasure, coveted today and forgotten tomorrow. In this buzzing mosaic of human endeavor, there's one soul untouched by the fervor of acquisition, a soul that threads through the stalls and stands with a serenity that seems out of place amongst all the noise.
Read MoreIn this sense, the power of a call to the expression of love in deeds is reflected in the rich tapestry of spiritual wisdom of Saying 40 of St. Maximus the Confessor "One Hundred Chapters on Love”. This is sage advice that lights the way toward a deeper, more compassionate engagement with our neighbors and the world.
Read MoreConsider the soul as a holy temple, sanctuary within which divine presence may dwell. St. Maximus appeals to the prophet Jeremiah, warning us from saying of ourselves as temples of the Lord inconsiderately. The imagery reminds us that spiritual purity and the indwelling of God do require a radical transformation, a sanctification of the inner sanctuary by our actions and intentions.
Read MoreIn the heart of Christian spirituality, as echoed in the profound writings of the Philokalia, lies a gem of wisdom: "Theology is taught us by the incarnate Logos of God since He reveals in Himself the Father and the Holy Spirit." This statement encapsulates a fundamental truth about the Christian journey and the pursuit of understanding God.
Read MoreIn the profound depths of the Gospel of John, we encounter a translation that speaks to the heart of our spiritual journey: "At the outset, there existed the dialogue, and this dialogue was alongside God, and indeed, the dialogue was divine." This passage invites us into a mesmerizing world of divine discourse, a realm where contemplation and action intertwine, guiding us towards a deeper understanding of our relationship with the Divine.
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