Noetic Vision Beyond The Jesus Prayer With The Help Of The Prayer Rope

The sweetness of prayer is one thing, and the divine vision of prayer is another; and the second is more honorable than the first, as a mature man is more perfect than an immature child. For prayer is the seed, and the divine vision is the harvesting of the sheaves, whence the reaper stands in ecstasy before the unutterable sight. And according to Saint Isaac, one man among thousands has been accounted worthy to attain pure prayer; and even fewer noetic vision.

The Perils Of Food, Comfort And Riches

The five senses (touch, taste, smell, sight, hearing) are a window for the devil to flick bad thoughts into the soul. In a negligent person, the passions of gluttony, cupidity, pride, vanity, lust, anger, despair, despondency, and others allow sly and cunning demons free reign to ruin the disposition of the soul. But with restraint of food, modest attire and behavior, and with repentant appeal to the Jesus Prayer (i.e. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me), the disposition of the soul, intellect and heart can be healed.

Saint Athanasius Teaches Marcellinus On How To Use The Book Of Psalms In Any Occasion

Athanasius “…from the Psalms he who wants to do so can learn the emotions and dispositions of the souls, finding in them also the therapy and correction suited for each emotion. Let us say that the entire Holy Scripture is a teacher of virtues and the truths of faith, while the Book of Psalms possesses somehow the perfect image for the soul’s course of life.” A Letter of Athanasius, Our Holy Father, Archbishop of Alexandria, to Marcellinus on the Interpretation of the Psalms (ISBN 0-8091-2295-2); published by Paulist Press. Translation by Robert C. Gregg. All credit belongs to Paulist Press for the writings herein.

Saint John Climacus The Ladder of Divine Ascent – The 30 Steps

This letter highlights the 30 discourses (Greek. λόγοι) of instruction by Saint John Climacus in The Ladder of Divine Ascent; or as those in the West call it “30 Steps.” It’s important to note the ancient church fathers did not teach a systematized rule or technique. Rather they expounded on ‘what’ monasticism consisted of; not ‘how’ it’s accomplished. For the Fathers of the Church, the ‘how’ is a mystery accomplished in us by the Holy Spirit. Source: The Ladder of Divine Ascent (ISBN 978-0-943405-03-2) Holy Transfiguration Monastery – Brookline, Massachusetts. All credit belongs to Holy Transfiguration Monastery for the writings herein.