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Ich sage Tschüß. Die Episode 200 wird die letzte sein, die ich spreche. Und wer weiß, vielleicht starte ich in der Zukunft mit einer neuen Serie. Bleib einfach mit mir verbunden. Aus vollem Herzen bedanke ich mich, dass du meinen Soul & Business Podcast so lange begleitet und angehört hast. Ich hoffe, ich konnte dich vielfach inspirieren. Es heißt, wenn es am schönsten ist, soll man gehen. Ich habe dir viele Facetten in Hinblick auf Business, Umsatz, Persönlichkeitsentwicklung, Psychologie und Spiritualität aufgezeigt. Du findest mich auf LinkedIn. Und natürlich kannst du meinen Soul-Letter auf meiner https://renate-schmidt.com/soul-letter/ abonnieren. So bleiben wir in Kontakt. Alles Liebe, deine Renate
Manchmal ist es an der Zeit, Altes loszulassen, um Platz, Raum und Energie für Neues zu schaffen. Dies ist die vorerst letzte Folge von WageMutig. Danke, dass du Teil dieser Community warst und ich meinen Weg mit dir teilen durfte. Es ist Zeit für mich, mir Zeit für neue Projekte, Inspirationen und Wege zu nehmen. Warum das so ist und wieso ich es wichtig finde, nicht sofort etwas Neues anzufangen, darum geht es in der heutigen Abschlussfolge. Von Herzen, Danke an dich! Ich hoffe, wir bleiben über meinen Soul-Letter verbunden - du kannst dich einfach über meine Webseite eintragen. Den Link findest du auch unten in den Shownotes. Liebste Grüße, fühl dich umarmt. Deine Anika **** Anmeldung für den Presse-Workshop mit Journalistin Claudia Minner über hello@anika-seidenfaden.com. Es gibt nur noch sehr wenige Plätze. Schnell sein lohnt sich. Wie du mit mir arbeiten kannst: Magic Mountain Mission (Leadership Mentoring & Besteigung des Kilimandscharo): https://www.anika-seidenfaden.com/magic-mountain-mission Oh yes, my business! 8 Module wie du erfolgreich als Coach, Beraterin oder Mentorin durchstartest. (Mit Förderung vom Bundesministerium) https://www.anika-seidenfaden.com/oh-yes-my-business CONNECTION - 1:1 Business Coaching für visionäre Unternehmerinnen https://www.anika-seidenfaden.com/businesscoaching Jetzt Kennenlern-Gespräch buchen https://www.anika-seidenfaden.com/booking-calendar Anmeldung zum Newsletter https://www.anika-seidenfaden.com/meditation Instagram: www.instagram.com/anika.seidenfaden
Heute geht's um das Thema Female Leadership. Ich habe dazu auszugsweise ein Buch gelesen und war zugegeben sehr schockiert über die Aussagen, die da getroffen wurden. Die Kernaussage war, dass Frauen die krasseren Männer sein müssen und Spiele der Macht spielen müssen, um Erfolg zu haben und das Buch ist nicht aus den 80ern, sondern von 2019! Ich glaube, dass es anders geht und genau darum geht es in der heutigen Folge. Eine neue Art von Leadership. In a feminine way voller Klarheit, Stärke und Selbstvertrauen. Es ist Zeit, dass wir uns die Leaderin in uns erlauben und nicht (mehr) darauf warten, dass uns jemand diese Rolle gibt und zutraut. Ich bin so gespannt, was du sagst. Viel Freude mit der Folge. Alles Liebe Anika Und es geht auch um die Magic Mountain Mission, denn ich kenne kein anderes Coaching Programm, bei dem du Leadership so sehr erleben und spüren kannst, wie dort. Die Zeit für 2024 steht fest! Du findest alle Infos auf der Magic Mountain MIssion Seite auf meiner Webseite! Wie du mit mir arbeiten kannst: Magic Mountain Mission 2024 (Leadership Coaching & Besteigung des Kilimandscharo): https://www.anika-seidenfaden.com/magic-mountain-mission Dein 6-stelliges Business mit Leichtigkeit: https://www.anika-seidenfaden.com/soul-business-mastery Anmeldung zum Soul-Letter (kostenlos) https://www.anika-seidenfaden.com/meditation Instagram: www.instagram.com/anika.seidenfaden
Offer the soul poetically hoping an ear can and will hear... --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/poet-4lyfe/message
Heute gibt es eine absolute Neuheit bei WageMutig, nämlich meinen ersten männlichen Interview-Gast! Ich habe Andreas zu Gast im Interview. Andreas hat “Podcast Service” gegründet und begleitet mich von Anfang an mit WageMutig. Wir sprechen heute über die Do's and Dont's beim Launch eines Podcasts Worauf du generell achten solltest, wenn du einen Podcast hast und worum es vielleicht auch nicht so sehr geht. Wie du deine Hörer begeisterst Freu dich auf ganz viele Insights von einem absoluten Profi und vielen Erfahrungsberichten. Tools, die ich für den Podcast nutze: Ich nutze den Service von Andreas für das Schneiden und bespielen der verschiedenen Podcast-Plattformen. Den Podcast selbst nehme ich über GarageBand auf. Mein Mikro ist von Roede. Es ist ein reguläres Aufstell-Mikro, das ich über USB mit meinem Laptop verbinde. Meine Musik habe ich bei Audiojungle gekauft. Da gibt es wirklich unendlich viel Musik zur Auswahl. Alles Liebe und auf deinen Erfolg Anika Wie du mit mir arbeiten kannst: EXPRESSION für die Unternehmerin, die etwas Neues kreieren möchte, die keine Lust hat auf 08/15 Business. Die Unternehmerin, die bereit ist, neue Wege zu gehen und dadurch ihren Soul Clients neue Möglichkeiten zeigt. Ein Raum für Leaderinnen, die mehr wollen. Alle Infos findest du in den Highlights auf Instagram. Dein 6-stelliges Business mit Leichtigkeit: https://www.anika-seidenfaden.com/soul-business-mastery Magic Mountain Mission (Coaching & Besteigung des Kilimandscharo): https://www.anika-seidenfaden.com/magic-mountain-mission Social Media:Instagram: www.instagram.com/anika.seidenfaden Soul-Letter: https://www.anika-seidenfaden.com/meditation
It is a bitter sweet thing to come to the end of such a long journey - a long and sometimes arduous journey but one that has brought such joy and hope. Tonight we finished the final two letters of Saint Theophan to Anastasia. They are perhaps the two finest letters of the collection. Saint Theophan speaks with a great directness and honesty about the anxieties that Anastasia experiences and how she has to deal with him. He sees how clearly they can be temptations from the Evil One to pull her away from God, from trusting Him, and from the practice of prayer. It was with great gentleness and tenderness that he guided her through this in order that Anastasia might understand that if she but makes an irrevocable gift of herself to God she will be ever under His protection. She need have fear of nothing and no one. In the final letter (80) he speaks to her about the extraordinary grace she has received through having endured the storm. Satan sought to sift her like wheat. Yet God used all of this to perfect her faith and to teach her. The Enemy through his tricks sought to create hurry and to alarm her and confuse matters. Yet Anastasia has learned that Godly things are peaceful and quiet. She must only wait. Everything comes in its own time. In the years to come, Theophan tells her, she must gravitate towards solitude; not necessarily the solitude of the desert but of her heart. There she must wait for God and allow herself to be nourished upon His love. Indeed, there is nothing more beautiful. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:15:51 Andreea Gallagher: Where are we? 00:16:21 Carol Nypaver: 302 00:17:02 Andreea and Anthony: Thanks! 00:17:15 Carol Nypaver:
Tonight we concluded letter 77 and went on to read letter 78. As we have seen in past weeks, Theophan is much more direct with Anastasia now that she has made her decision to enter into the religious life. In multiple ways, she has been tempted either by those who have no faith, by her fear of injustice and false accusation, or her desire to express and pursue her own freedom. Theophan warns her against all these things and the kind of false freedom especially that we cling to that offers no hope. In fact, Theophan refers to it as an “evil impulse that is evil”. We are called to walk the path of the cross; to die to self and to self-will and to live for Christ. We have not been promised the love of the world. Rather, we have been promised just the opposite - its hatred. Why would she want to flee her parents house when in reality it is a protective environment for her? It is there that she can learn the life of a obedience at the hand of those who love her the most. What greater opportunity is there to be formed for the religious life than this? Don't chase false freedoms, he warns her. The impulse to freedom is like chasing rainbows or desiring to catch shadows. When we look at the world we see unhappy people desperately seeking to assert themselves - often at the cost of others. She must learn to look at her life in the light of Christ and her freedom in light of the communion of love in which she exists with God. Anything else is an illusion. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:06:03 Art: Posting a follow up to Eric C's question from last week. While he was asking I was reminded of one possible answer to the dilemma whether to obey the Church 10 years ago or the Church one month ago. Rather than butcher the response, I've included the actual source. It begins around 15:28 and ends around 20:50 Two points I found helpful were the comments that in a crisis there is an objectively right thing to do. “You hold on to what was always believed everywhere by everybody.” “What has the Church always believed? That is what I must continue to believe.” And “The faith does not change. What was once true is still true. Either it was false then, in which case it is false now. Or else it was true then and it's true now.” The speaker is Fr. David Sherry SSPX. Hopefully you find it helpful. http://sspxpodcast.com/2021/12/crisis-series-49-father-what-can-i-do-about-the-crisis-in-the-church/ 00:32:13 Anthony: I've wondered if this applies to legal processes such as the cases for freedom to act according to a well formed conscience. OK, suppose you lose the case....would that change your acting according to a well formed conscience? We are called to accept persecutions. 00:35:35 Anthony: Would the truth of the cross apply to suffering under the English "Reformation," the French Revolution and the Vendee, the American Revolution....and current events like in Eastern Europe? 00:40:30 John Clark: I once had to confront an office bully…It was a good outcome 00:43:00 Lyle: Today, some of us were meditating on the Office of Readings regarding St. Polycarp's martyrdom. His last words brought tears to my eyes. “I praise you for all things, I bless you, I glorify you through the eternal priest of heaven, Jesus Christ, your beloved Son. Through him be glory to you, together with him and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen”. 00:43:21 Lyle: Surrounded by the fire, his body was like bread that is baked, or gold and silver white-hot in a furnace, not like flesh that has been burnt. So sweet a fragrance came to us that it was like that of burning incense or some other costly and sweet-smelling gum. 00:44:18 Carol Nypaver: Amen! St. Polycarp, pray for us! 00:46:48 Erick Chastain: you get an academic department at a major public university 00:47:22 Erick Chastain:
Tonight we began with Letter 76 where Theophan again takes up the temptations that are coming to Anastasia from unbelievers. They have begun to call into question the reality of God and the dignity of the human person; making absurd arguments and trying to twist her up within them. With clarity, he tells Anastasia simply to stay focused upon the dignity of the human person. No matter how diminished we are physically, emotionally, or spiritually, we always bear within us the grace of God who created us in His image and likeness. Even if that reality seems to be lost altogether and personhood is called into question, each individual has an inherent value and dignity in Christ. Within the Divine Economy God is always working through the circumstances of our lives in order to bring about our salvation. Life in this world may seem unreasonable or harsh but none of it prevents God from manifesting himself in our lives and bringing us to a share in His Eternal Life. In Letter 77, Theophan focuses upon another temptation rooted in domestic unpleasantness. Anastasia is frustrated by having to live in obedience to her parents and postponing her entrance into the monastery. This is the Evil One's doing, Theophan tells her, and he has muddled her brain, confusing her mind with uncertainty. It is all deception, Theophan warns her and she must cross herself and drive out the temptation. It is tantamount to making mountains out of mole hills. We tend to do that with so many things in our life. Rather than fighting the good fight of faith against the evil one we will direct our frustration outward on to other people and circumstances. We must embrace those circumstances in a spirit of humility and obedience, always seeking to conform ourselves to Christ and to see our lives in light of the mystery of the Cross. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:04:47 FrDavid Abernethy, CO: No Whining. St. Theophan 00:16:14 Eric Williams: If I'm not mistaken, "idiot" formerly had a clinical definition before entering the vernacular. 00:17:48 Anthony: Like Dostoevsky's book "The Idiot," which referred to an epileptic. 00:19:43 Anthony: Herman the Lame was a hymnist and scholar and had terrible afflictions. 00:20:45 Eric Williams: https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/idiot 00:27:44 Anthony: Sometimes stark contrast helps us understand the point better; sometimes it gets in the way. 00:28:58 Rachel: When I was a child, there was a girl my same age who our family knew that was mentally retarded. My Dad told us children, that people that are born this way go straight to Heaven. That they cannot speak or they would tell all of the secrets of Heaven. Every once in a while we were all supposed to volunteer to take Stephanie out and keep her company and give her care givers a break. One Sunday, I jumped on the opportunity to be with her. I already did like to be with her but now that I thought she knew the secrets of Heaven I could not wait for my turn. She never said anything but she just grabbed my face and smile when I asked her. As I child I felt happy but jealous of her being able to go straight to Heaven. 00:37:22 Edward Kleinguetl: 21 00:38:01 Anthony: He was not even Coptic, but, i think, Ghanian 00:38:43 Rachel: Oh my goodness. They are martyrs! 00:38:46 Luiz Eduardo Lawall: This is very frustrating 00:45:56 carolediclaudio: Hahahaha love it 00:51:35 Erick Chastain: sorry my dog unmuted the mic 00:52:01 Eric Williams: Did he eat your homework, too? ;) 00:52:04 carolediclaudio: :) 00:57:16 Rafael Patrignani: very interesting! thank you. I have to leave, 00:57:31 Anthony: Evil one said "I will not sevre" 00:57:50 carolediclaudio: Bye Rafael! 00:59:18 Rachel: Wow 00:59:41 Anthony: Dom Scupoli was another who obeyed and apparently was vindicated later. 01:00:11 Rachel: Please give me the name of the other holy brother? 01:00:52 Anthony: Savonarola in Florence; Dom Scupoli was the other 01:00:56 Ben Miralles Jr.: Girolamo Savonarola 01:01:22 Rachel: Thank you 01:04:39 Rachel: lol 01:13:18 Anthony: We have been formed mentally to be like a scholastic....but without the mysticism the scholastics (like St. Thomas!) should have had. (and St. Thomas did have) 01:16:41 Jk: so true anthony 01:22:37 Eric Williams: "Everyone argues too much!" "No we don't!" ;) 01:22:59 carolediclaudio: :):) 01:30:31 Erick Chastain: Paisios also says that this age has a rampant spirit of impudence 01:30:51 Erick Chastain: Too many rebels everywhere. 01:32:04 Kmec: Thank you 01:32:17 Eric Williams: Rebels without a clue!
Tonight we concluded letter 75. This letter and those that follow all focus on particular temptations that Anastasia is facing as she approaches her decision to enter into the religious life. Theophan in Letter 75 focuses on the tricks of the enemy to dissuade her or throw her into despair because of the weaknesses, sins, and poverty that she sees within herself. His counsel to her is to allow these things to humble her but not to throw her into despair. Her endurance of the struggle is for the sake of crowns, he tells her; that is, the growth and perfection of the virtues. In letter 76, Theophan begins to focus on the temptations that come from unbelievers. These are much more subtle, he warns her, and those who engage her will seek to cram a lot of worthless garbage into her head. They might be wise and clever in the ways of the world but underneath their words can be a malicious spirit that poses a threat to her faith. She must be willing to let what they say go in one ear and out the other and not purposely expose herself to the narrow mindedness and hard heartedness of those opposed to the faith. She must examine her own bewilderment and leave no trace of it within her mind and heart. Faith is a gift of God instilled within us by our very creation. It is older and greater than education and society. These things pass on knowledge to a new generation. However, we must understand that religious belief is part of every race because it is also the part of every man. In fact, “man is not man”, Theophan says, without it. To cast away our faith, to undermine it through neglect, is to distort and mutilate ourselves. He who does not have faith departs from the fundamental reality of who we are as human beings and in the process can make himself freakish on both a moral and psychological level. The perception and experience of reality is undermined by cutting oneself off from He who is Reality itself. Our response to this must be to embrace our faith fully and to allow it to transform us without any opposition; to allow the grace of God to inflame and purify our hearts. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:05:42 FrDavid Abernethy, CO: bottom of page 289 00:14:16 Rachel:
We began this evening with letter 75 entitled “The tricks of the enemy.” Anastasia has fallen into sadness inexplicably. Her heart is overcome with heaviness and darkness. Theophan, therefore, wants her to understand exactly what is going on: she is engaged in spiritual warfare and these are the attacks of the enemy. However, he exhorts her, “the power of the cross is with us! Take heart and stand fast.”She need not fear the enemy that is attacking her and approaching her from every side, creating such a disturbance that her world seems to be turned upside down. She must simply cope as well as she can and be long-suffering in the battle knowing that it will pass. She need only “not consent” to anything that is not necessary. Similar to Job, Anastasia must thank the Lord both for the times that are peaceful as well as the times of difficulty. She must simply throw herself before the Lord with her whole being as well as call upon the Mother of God to intercede on her behalf. Theophan does not deny that she is suffering attack. However, he wants her to be like a soldier; steeling herself against the enemy's attacks, unwilling to change her intention or decision one iota. She must struggle and renounce his suggestions and curse them. The more that the evil one murmurs in her ears the more she must call out to Christ and simply express her belief even when all seems shrouded in darkness. She must state clearly “I do not want any of this, anything the enemy suggest.” Rather, he tells her, she must want one thing; to “speak solemnly before the Lord in her heart.” Fight the good fight of faith even when you find yourself thrown down and seemingly overcome. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:22:47 Lyle: Do NOT consent! Each of us KNOWS, yes KNOWS, where we are spiritually weak. If you can not do anything else, pray - "Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner! Cleanse my thoughts! Cleanse my heart! MAKE my thoughts, YOUR thoughts!" 00:23:20 Edward Kleinguetl: Amen! 00:33:51 Lyle: Even the Archangels do NOT battle the demons directly. Michael on behalf of God Almighty, as a representative of His kingdom said "The Lord rebuke thee." 00:40:12 Lyle: Deuteronomy 31:6. Be strong AND courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them (distractions, demons, etc.) , for the LORD your God goes WITH you; he will NEVER leave you nor forsake you.” 00:49:52 renwitter: “The Asceticism of Joy” 00:55:05 Rafael Patrignani: we know and live the perfection of love in the trials. are we with God or not? 00:57:00 Sharon: Reading and praying over “Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence, the secret of peace and happiness” has helped me, Anthony. 00:57:13 Lyle: John 14:27. Our Lord, HIMSELF said, “Peace I leave with you, MY peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let NOT your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” 01:17:45 Cathy: Very well said Erick 01:22:38 Miron Kerul Kmec: Thank you Father
Thank you to everyone who participated in tonight's group on St. Theophan's Letters on the Spiritual Life to Anastasia. Great conversation as always. Synopsis: Tonight we read letter 74 entitled “Yearning for the monastic life”. Anastasia has made a decision to enter the monastery; she has decided to give herself over completely to God in mind and body. And yet, Theophan senses within her a kind of urgency that is pressing her forward and making her want to rush the moment of her entrance. He wants her, however, to pray and wait with patience. He does not want her to enter the religious life in a willful fashion precisely because she's entering in order to set aside her will in the spirit of obedience. Thus, she should strive to let God act in her life and open the door for her to enter in the time He desires. For the moment she is to focus upon embracing the life of a monastic at home; deepening her spiritual life, living in obedience to her parents, making herself a novice in relationship to all of her siblings. She is to be, as it were, a soldier in training; humbling herself and preparing herself for the rigors of the religious life. Such waiting takes nothing from her. In fact it serves her by allowing her to mature emotionally and spiritually precisely that she might endure in her vocation. He reminds her of the history behind such a vocation. In the beginning monasteries did not exist - nor vows. What existed were men and women filled with a desire and yearning for God and it is this spirit that she must foster. She must enflame the desire for God within her own heart by being faithful in the moment. She must wait and adapt her life and her habits to those in the monastery. But most of all she must wait upon the Lord who says “Come follow Me”! --- Text of chat during the group: 00:06:26 Rachel: How do I get a snazzy picture like that?? 00:19:23 Anthony: And some people had her religious desire, but God (I suppose) chose them never to enter a community, such as Benedict Labre or the Pilgrim of the Russian classic. 00:28:05 Edward Kleinguetl: "Gentle, organic approach" -- love it! 00:31:20 Anthony: FYI under the Lombard Laws of the 600's to about 800s or so, Vowed and nonvowed persons living a religious life were both recognized as having special protection against violation by criminals. One living the life but not vowed as treated as or just about as at the state of a religious person. 00:38:09 Anthony: "The Ancient Path" is Talbot's book about his community 01:14:26 Wayne Mackenzie: got to go see you monday 01:16:24 Anthony: We in the West are sometimes formed by a relatively small cadre of Western Catholics, too....and that is magnified by the psychologies of certain persons who choose messages to magnify to the rest of us. 01:17:11 Rachel: I do have to say that put here in California, I am blessed with a wonderful grace filled parish.
Tonight we concluded letter 73 to Anastasia. Once again St. Theophan is seeking to help prepare her for the path that God has called her to take. Even though she is still living at home she is not to remove her hand, as it were, from the plow or look back. She must keep her focus intently upon Christ and not lose that gaze even for a moment. Walk circumspectly, he tells her. Guard your heart in all the ways that you have been shown - for God is a jealous God and would have your heart completely. In the rarest of ways she is to be the spouse of Christ, giving herself to him in mind and body and with an undivided heart. She must even admonish herself at times - knowing that she cannot rely upon her zeal or constancy. A life that is lived in half measures is destined for great sadness. This is true and whatever station in life or vocation we find ourselves. The consecrated virgin becomes for us the eschatological sign par excellence; we are destined to share in the fullness of the life of the holy Trinity and to be wrapped in an eternal love that would have us completely. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:32:38 Mark Cummings: The Carmelites describe our union with Christ as a mystical union that is vastly superior to whatever bonds of union may be found in a physical or moral body...a real union, so real that it surpasses all the others "as the grace surpasses nature, and immortal realities surpass perishable realities" 00:36:16 Anthony: A family ideally is a little "monastery," in my opinion, exercising humility, and caring for each other to bring each other to Heaven....and when children grow up and marry, they establish "daughter monasteries" of their initial family. 00:37:13 Mitchell Hunt: Important topic, I think the even the married can be internally chaste (withdrawn from lust and the sexual spasm). Similarly a "celebate" can be not chaste behind closed doors 00:46:17 Mark Cummings: As many know, Saint JPII has some great writing on sexuality and love. https://www.jp2.info/JP2_on_Love-Responsibility.pdf 00:49:14 Anthony: 1 Cor 7:14....the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the believing wife. 00:49:37 Anthony: If wifehood is not holiness, she cannot make him holy. 00:52:49 Anthony: 1 Cor 7:7 "but everyone has his proper gift from God" 00:56:23 renwitter: I've always loved the term grindstone for the people in our lives who help make us holy. Sandpaper is a good one too though :-D 01:00:26 Anthony: Grindstone - I make my own tools for chasing and repousse. Grindstones and sandpaper are _indispensable_ to getting a polished tool face. If your tools are good, you can make a thing of beauty. 01:02:09 Mark Cummings: We must embrace our crosses. 01:15:28 Miron Kerul Kmec: Thank you 01:15:47 Anthony: OK PAdre
This evening we picked up with the letter 72 where is Saint Theophan begins to engage Anastasia about the decision that she has made to become a religious. More than ever it is necessary to become closer to God, he tells her. She must fix her mind on the remembrance of God in every circumstance. Likewise she is to hold onto the remembrance of death in order that she might lose fear of everything within this world and also to order everything to its ultimate end and the final judgment. In other words, she must work harder than ever to clarify her vision and her desire. She must set about her life a little more decisively and await the fulfillment of her calling with patience. In Letter 73, Theophan begins to focus with Anastasia upon what is at the heart of this vocation: chastity or consecrated virginity to be more specific in her case. God has called her to Himself with a kind of jealous love, desiring that she give herself over to him in mind and body. Although never having set out to lead her upon such a path, Theophan is overjoyed for her and gives thanks to God for the calling. The decision has been made but she is so far from the actual deed. Therefore, she must not fall into naïveté but rather realize that the enemy will seek to beguile her through his subtlety. She must remain sober and awake, vigilant and prayerful. The enemy can attack at any moment. She has been especially blessed by God to walk along this path that has existed from apostolic times; and so she must seek to treat it as the most precious of gifts. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:29:47 Carol Nypaver: For how long was she under the spiritual direction of St. Theophan? 00:32:13 Lyle: And it is never, never, NEVER too late to desire that CHANGE. 00:35:01 Lyle: In spite of those "barriers", God's Spirit has led and WILL lead "seekers" to Him. 00:38:22 Mitchell Hunt: Every Apprentice needs a Master/Masters to learn from 00:48:04 Mark Cummings: I believe it will be a worthwhile exercise to review the Letters again and write down the things that will help me to map out the way to a deeper relationship with Jesus. Off the top of my head, simplifying, asceticism, memorizing key scripture/psalms, mortification, prayer (prayer rule, the Jesus prayer,etc), guarding against sin and avoiding the near occasion of sin by avoiding spending time with those that may contribute to my corruption., recognizing and embracing the Grace of God, the list seems to go on and on. If someone has already gone through the exercise of creating this map of the Letters then please let me know if you will share it. 01:17:39 Anthony: In Dante's Paradiso, the soul is drawn upward to God by the gravity of love. 01:19:34 Ashley Kaschl: A book that gives greater clarity on the charism of celibacy and speaks more on virginity is “And You are Christ's” by Thomas Dubay, if anyone wanted to dive a little deeper into that topic. 01:22:35 Mark Cummings: Saint JP IIs Five loves, according to Jason Evert's book Saint John Paul the Great: His Five Loves, includes Human Love and does a great job of providing a synopsis of Theology of the Body and puts it in to the context of loving God by loving others. 01:27:49 Mark Cummings: Thank you, Father! 01:28:04 Eric Williams: Have a blessed Theophany tomorrow! 01:28:09 Rachel: Thank you Father, and thank you everyone. Great questuons! 01:28:24 Ann Grimak: Thank you
After a brief hiatus we picked up with our reading of St. Theophan's letters to Anastasia. We concluded Letter 71 with Theophan's discussion with Anastasia about the struggle with coldness and prayer. Once again he reminds her of the value of memorizing prayers - in particular the psalms. Yet what is essential is not simply the memorization but rather that she would embrace each word and pray it with a depth of feeling. It is essential that she approach the prayer life not as a task oriented behavior but rather as a spirit guided response to love. There are times when a certain word or prayer will speak to the depths of the heart and she may remain with that prayer for the entire period that she has set aside. The more that she cultivates prayer, the more that she comes to love it, the less need there will be for rules. One thing needs to be understand: prayer is the root of everything! In letter 72, Theophan is filled with great joy. Anastasia has made a decision to embrace the religious life. He begins by telling her to hold fast to the decision now that it has be made and let it form her thoughts and to further mover her away from worldly desires and pleasures. She is going to live as one completely given over to the Lord. Therefore, she is to kindle that very spirit in which she voiced her decision. Theophan's initial counsel is to wait patiently. God will test and deepen her desire for this vocation. He will show her how to carry it out. For now, she has to wait and pray in a spirit of obedience and love. Everything that she set out to do in her pursuit of holiness she is to do a little more decisively now. The foundation has been laid; now she must construct the building. Set aside worldly amusements and distractions, Theophan tells her. Become ever more attentive to God's call. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:14:31 Rachel Pineda: Wow, hello! Good to see everyone. 01:13:09 Anthony: I really appreciate this point....the flip side is the pressure to be a religious / priest if you really want to do something good.' 01:14:53 Anthony: Good point Joanne on our unawareness of lay saints 01:18:31 Anthony: There are lots of lay saints in Lives of the Saints Vol 2, by Catholic Book Publishing Co. 01:18:55 renwitter: As usual, compelled to point out that though she is depicted as if she was, Saint Catherine of Siena was not a religious. Nor was Saint Gemma Galgani, or Saint Kateri, Saint Margaret of Cortona, Saint Monica, Joan of Arc, and so many more. An equally long list on the men's side. It is very common for Saints to be depicted in the habit of a religious order they were closely associated with, and it came make is seem like they were religious, but they weren't! I always love finding new lay saints :-) 01:20:14 Ashley Kaschl: Yes! Thank you, Ren. We aren't taught that as clearly, if at all. 01:21:12 Cathy: Happy New Year Blessing to all!
Tonight we continued with Letter 71 to Anastasia on “Coldness in Prayer”. St. Theophan is very direct with Anastasia about the causes of this coldness. Typically, it is because we are carrying out our prayer rule hurriedly and haphazardly. Therefore, he tells Anastasia that she must never carry out any spiritual activity as if it were perfectly established, especially prayer. She must to go about her prayer as if she is doing it for the first time; with the zeal of someone who has come to see the beauty of what God has given them. In fact, Theophan tells her that nothing offends God more than praying hurriedly. It is His gift of love and intimacy and if she treats it lightly, he tells her, she should scold herself for such carelessness. Prayer always will bear fruit within our lives. However, we cannot approach it in a utilitarian fashion, simply to accomplish a task. It is God's greatest gift to us and so we must approach any discipline surrounding it with devotion and love. Even if we create a prayer rule for ourselves, we must understand that it is God who calls us to prayer and it is God who gives it shape and perfects the gift through his own Spirit of Love. When we begin to see prayer in this way, we will long for it and eventually we will find our greatest delight in it. --- 00:28:54 Ann Grimak: I am very agree with you Father 00:30:34 Lyle: P. 277: “Acquire prayer from the beginning again, and ask for it from the Lord yourself.” [Jhn 14:RSV] 13 Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glori-fied in the Son; 14 if you ask anything in my name, I will do it. Entreat our Lord to help us. He will “do it”, that the Father may be glorified. 00:42:49 Lyle: Thank you, for such valuable COUNSEL. 00:43:06 Anthony: Amen 00:45:45 George: I've noticed that the parishes with the most confession hours have lines for yards on Sunday 00:47:38 Carol Nypaver: That is true. It encourages parishioners to properly prepare for Holy Communion. 00:50:19 Edward Kleinguetl: A number of the Eastern Fathers see Eucharist being an essential part of repentance. Confession removes the worms from the wounds and Eucharist is the healing ointment. They also see it as strengthening us for keeping our commitment to avoid the occasions of sin. 00:50:57 Carol Nypaver: So true. 00:51:15 Anthony: Our economics (in our case, Capitalism) begins in materialism with a deist god (invisible hand) and treats us as commodities (human resources) for large national or international entities (GDPs, our corporate bosses). But this is inhuman. It goes against our created nature. We have to be the men and women we were created and "recreated" to be. 00:54:36 Lyle: I am not a Catholic and I have wrestled with what is really "essential" in my life. Thank you, Deacon Ed. 00:55:42 Rachel Pineda: This can be the whole Christian life. From communion to communion... 00:56:21 Edward Kleinguetl: Spot on, Ren! 00:56:47 Rachel Pineda: LOL 00:56:49 Rachel Pineda: LOL 00:56:52 Edward Kleinguetl: TMI 00:57:19 Rachel Pineda: It's okay Ren, good points btw. 00:59:39 Edward Kleinguetl: We need to desire God above all else. Doubts are all demons that want to pull us away from God. 01:00:34 Edward Kleinguetl: And there will be times when prayer is a struggle -- we are tested relative our fidelity. 01:00:49 Edward Kleinguetl: *relative to our fidelity 01:00:56 Lyle: Amen, Deacon Ed. 01:06:07 renwitter: We need to install a quiet little bell system in the chapel to facilitate this kind of prayer. 01:07:37 Lyle: “An Instantaneous prayer life is impossible. Prayer does not come about as you expect—by just wishing for it, and, suddenly, there it is. This does not happen.” - St. Theophan the Recluse 01:10:56 Edward Kleinguetl: There will be times where we are distracted, sometimes badly. The demons want to pull us out of the prayer. The key, at least to me, is to persist and refuse to give in to the temptation to stop praying because it is not going well. God does not expect perfection in prayer -- St. Paul told us it was impossible. Rather, God wants us to know that we are faithful to him, desiring him above all else. 01:11:33 Edward Kleinguetl: Plus, the Jesus Prayer itself is meant is an aid to create stillness 01:13:16 Rachel Pineda: God bless everyone. Going I to Mass. Happy and Blessed feast! 01:14:11 George:
Tonight we concluded Letter 70 of Saint Theophan to Anastasia. He speaks to her about the kind of books that she can read, both religious and secular. As with everything, she must be discriminating and cautious about the things to which she exposes herself; acknowledging that not everything is of equal value and some things can be destructive. She is to be discerning and keep her emphasis on the spiritual life. If she reads other things they should reveal to her the wisdom of God as seen in the world that he has created. Moving on to Letter 71, St. Theophan begins to address Anastasia‘s experience of coldness in prayer. He knows that in her youthfulness her experience of prayer has been limited and has been driven mostly by positive emotional experience. This has led her unfortunately to be less vigilant and disciplined. One can become careless and pray hurriedly without guarding the thoughts or embracing the wisdom of the Fathers. She must humbly acknowledge this carelessness or negligence and ask God specifically to help her to begin again. How true this is often for us as well. Like Anastasia we must often humbly acknowledge before God the ways that we have turned away from him and ask him for forgiveness and the grace to start again. --- 00:12:56 renwitter:
How I cherish these opportunities to read St. Theophan and to share in the rich of the discussion and joy of the members of the group. St. Theophan clearly loves his directee, Anastasia, and this transmits to her and all of us what it is to be in love with Christ and to subordinate all things to Him. Theophan is a true elder if there ever was one! Synopsis: Tonight we concluded Letter 69 with St. Theophan‘s discussion of an evangelical preacher that Anastasia had encountered. Again, he warns her to be discriminating in giving this individual any attention. Despite his stressing the importance of the Holy Spirit, which is indeed true, everything else this man says reveals that he knows absolutely nothing about the Spirit or how the Spirit is received. He lacks a sense of the importance of the experience of God, especially in and through the sacramental life. It is through the holy mysteries that God draws us into his life and enlivens us with his Spirit. To lack these realities, failing to participate in them, is to lack that which is essential. In letter 70, Theophan continues to discuss with Anastasia the importance of discrimination in regards to reading spiritual books and secular books. He begins with two examples - Saint Anthony the Great and Saint Seraphim of Sarov. Neither man was well educated in worldly terms but each had a deep experiential knowledge of God. Pursuing only worldly knowledge, Theophan warns Anastasia, can be detrimental. If it pushes out the life of faith and the primacy of the spiritual life, then it is to be removed for it as a threat to our very salvation. If we are “backwards” in the ways of the world what does that matter to us so long as we have Christ? If we lack many things in this world, including worldly knowledge, but have Christ - we lack nothing! --- Text of chat during the group: 00:09:25 Ashley Kaschl: I have to go
Wow! What a wonderful and spirited discussion tonight! We certainly approached some topics - both personal and cultural - that were weighty and deserving of extra time and attention. Thank you all for you great questions and comments as always! Synopsis: Tonight we continued with Letter 69 on depression and fear. Theophan‘s focus, however, shifts to speaking about things that could possibly draw Anastasia away from the fullness of the faith, make her question her practice of the faith, or the path that she has been set upon. An old friendship had been broken off. Yet Theophan would not have her try to preserve the relationship at the cost of something greater. Certain relationships falter over time or become toxic. Anastasia should simply be at peace and act charitably towards this past friend, but not seek to immerse herself once again in a relationship that could not bear good fruit. Likewise, Theophan then began to express his concerns about someone who saw himself as an apostle; one who was evangelical in spirit and who had inserted himself into the Russian culture proclaiming a gospel and a faith of his own; creating something that was disconnected from the lived reality of the Church. For similar reasons, then, Theophan would have her avoid this man at all costs. She had the fullness of the faith as well as the participation in the Holy Mysteries. She should not substitute this for the particular charisms of a single man. Throughout the centuries the church has been attacked by various heresies and she must see her personal spiritual struggle in light of that broader context. --- 00:07:29 FrDavid Abernethy, CO: Starting on page 270 with “That you broke off” 00:11:29 Lyle: Hope everyone had a good week. I'll be right back. A stray dog showed up. 00:54:28 Eric Williams: Regarding Christians of separated and deficient sects, perhaps these lines from St John's gospel apply: “And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.” 01:03:13 Ann Grimak: I am very agree Father 01:15:24 Wayne Mackenzie: gotta go 01:17:46 Ann Grimak: Love is not emotional,love is very deep 01:20:20 renwitter: Also, just want to put out there, for anyone who has not heard of him or read him: If there is interest in reading something that witnesses to, as Father says, a great integration of life in the spirit, as understood in recent times, and faithfulness to the Church, check out Raniero Cantalamessa. He is quite extraordinary, and has been the Preacher to the Papal Household chosen personally by Saint John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. My favorites of his are St. Francis and the Cross, Virginity (not really about virginity, per se, but rather the celibate vocations), and, most relevant to this discussion, Sober Intoxication of the Spirit. 01:21:50 Lyle: Thanks, Ren. 01:23:06 Rachel: Wonderful class! Thank you, God bless everyone.
Tonight we began by reading the last few paragraphs of Letter 68 to Anastasia. Here Saint Theophan tells her that she is to avoid secretiveness in the spiritual life. While privacy is certainly to be valued, in the spiritual life the revelation of one's thoughts to one's Confessor or Spiritual Director becomes essential. The evil one through illusory qualities leads us into deception and confuses our affairs. He watches and examines all that we think and do and, at times, even seeks to use suggestions that are good to disguise his provocations. Theophan tells Anastasia that reason alone will ultimately fail her and the evil one will seek to insert his own advice to muddy the waters and to lead her down a path that is not from God. Mistakes, he tells her, will surely come; but they will also show her how to act correctly the next time. Moving forward to Letter 69, we find Theophan addressing a ubiquitous reality for us as human beings; the struggle with depression and fear. Surprised that Anastasia is experiencing such things, Theophan asks her to examine her life. Is she living close to God, is she seeking to please him in every way? It is in doing so that she will root herself in enduring peace. He goes on to discuss some of the causes of depression. Amusements, while they may be a gift from God and innocent can be destructive if they are not embraced in moderation. Furthermore, if they are too pleasant they will be unable to content the heart or we will be tempted to seek fulfillment within them. We must be very clear about the goal of life that we have chosen for ourselves and that it always remains in force. God is asking for our hearts and the heart desires God. We are made for Him and can only find true peace by living within Him. Without God our hearts are never satisfied; they are always bored and so we must examine ourselves from this aspect. When we do so, perhaps then we will find the door to peace. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:17:17 Rachel:
Tonight we began letter 68, entitled “The Need for a Good Counselor. However, as we noted, this is something of a misnomer. The bulk of the letter is actually about idle talk and the discussions of men and women. Anastasia mentions that “a rumor went around”. St. Theophan is deeply worried about this. He is worried that Anastasia might see this is a small thing or that she might get caught up in the mindset of those around her that make use of words and their meaning in a hurtful or sinful fashion. Anastasia must allow conscience to guide and direct her and give her the courage that she needs to avoid such conversations. She is always to be prudent in her use of words and never provoke others by her speech or by her demeanor. And even if she becomes the focal point of others' gossip about the way that she lives her life, again conscience should be her source of comfort and courage. She must not allow herself to be baited into responding by what people say or think about her. Rather she had to be patient until the moment passes and seek to respond equably to everyone that she encounters. Not surprisingly, much discussion ensued about this matter. Sins of speech are often taken lightly. We are all too willing to judge people by what they do or what they say and to be driven by emotion. Our ego must have no place in our response. Rather, we must put on the mind of Christ and seek to engage all with a humble and loving heart. Meekness is perhaps one of the greatest of virtues. It allows anger in the face of injustice to be shaped by love and by grace. We must withhold judgment when it comes to the other person. Our greatest desire must be to understand, to show loving concern, or to help bring healing and comfort. This is something our world desperately needs and should be a distinctive quality of Christian behavior. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:31:29 Anthony: I think there is a difference between the mode of interpersonal relations and political relations. For prudence, I think we need to modify "charity never judges," for sometimes we need to be ware to protect ourselves. The danger may never come, but maybe it's better to prepare for a possible danger than to be caught flatfooted because you always try to give benefit of doubt. 00:38:28 Wayne Mackenzie: guilty 00:39:13 Cathy: I do this - I think its 00:39:33 Cathy: I think it's impatience 00:43:27 Anthony: Gadfly: Socrates and Kierkegaard 01:01:23 Anthony: In a way, what St. Theophan is encouraging is a spiritual chivalry. The tales of chivalry do include knights with sharp words, but in the best form, chivalry is self control and at the service of love. 01:06:40 renwitter: It is always a powerful thing to hear Jesus describe his own heart with only two virtues: humility and meakness. 01:07:48 renwitter: Maybe as an illumination of the world views meakness…every time I type it, my computer autocorrects it to weakness
Tonight we concluded Letter 67. As we have seen in previous letters and as Theophan progresses in his teaching of Anastasia, he draws her ever deeper into the wisdom of the fathers. He picks up this evening speaking with her again about the importance of confessing all of one's sins; not judging those that seem small or great but rather confessing everything that is contrary to the will and the love of God. No sin is ever to be deliberately omitted. If omitted - in essence it is unresolved. If ignored it will not be fully uprooted. Theophan then moves on to address the importance of unceasing prayer. This little prayer that he taught her, the Jesus Prayer, he tells Anastasia, is a great treasure. In fact, it has no equal among spiritual activities. This is an extraordinary statement. He is telling Anastasia that the constant remembrance of God is not simply a spiritual practice or a discipline; it is seeking to “become” prayer. It is to live and move and breathe as one who seeks to and truly lives in constant communion with God. It is so important, he tells her, that she must exclude herself from any of the group who may be inattentive. She must never forget to turn the mind's eye to the Lord or at least maintain the feeling that He is near. Turning mentally to God with reverence in the heart is already prayer. Whatever our struggles might be, whatever temptations we might experience against this practice, we must understand that God sees the desire and love within the heart. Furthermore, we must start the morning in the right way for it will set the tone for the entire day. We must read the gospel and other spiritual books the confirm ideas within us about what is truly worthwhile. Above all we must hear the voice of conscience; the voice of the omnipresent God in the soul. Theophan writes: “He who is in the world with the conscience is also in the world with God.” --- Text of chat during the group: 00:08:21 Ashley Kaschl: I'm not on video right now cause I'm jump-starting my car
I love St. Theophan. The reason I say this is because one can see so clearly how deep his love is for the young Anastasia. He is a true spiritual father. At this point in their correspondence, Anastasia has come to a deeper understanding of the spiritual life and Theophan has shared with her the great riches of the spiritual tradition. Yet, his love for her makes him at times speak the truth to her with a kind of sternness. Not anger, but rather with a clarity about the weightiness of the matter they are discussing and its importance for her spiritual life and future. Tonight we began Letter 67 on “Diligent Confession”. Theophan rejoices with Anastasia over the fruits of her pilgrimage to the monastery of Saint Sergius. However, he rebukes her for something that she told him about the nature of her confession. Despite having made the pilgrimage with its physical and emotional rigors and having embraced the practice of unceasing prayer throughout the journey, when the moment came for her to experience the full fruit of the spiritual practice she held back. She did not confess all of her sins; she did not open her mind and her heart fully to God in order that she might also reap the benefits and all the grace that the sacrament offers. Theophan tells her that the essence of the mystery of repentance consists in the resolution of the sin one has confessed. Her preparation should have illuminated her heart fully enough that she would leave no sin unconfessed because she would see no sin is “small”. Every sin has the capacity of growing and taking hold of one's life and leading one away from God. She must avoid the craftiness of the worldly mind that seeks to rationalize certain behaviors and to minimize their effects. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:12:29 Eric Williams: I would very much be interested in a desert father society or similar. The Catholic men's groups I've seen are either mostly social or have an Evangelical vibe. 00:24:09 Art: I'm in! 00:31:00 Joseph Muir: What page number? 00:31:09 Carol Nypaver: 265 00:31:19 Joseph Muir: Spacibo 00:38:34 Rachel: The quote from St. Climacus, about striking the final blow and still having hope...which chapter is that from? 00:49:41 Rachel: lol yep 00:50:32 Rachel: @ the quirkiness...yet there is hope 00:54:57 Erick Chastain: the horologion and the pre-Vatican II breviary pray the entirety of that psalm, but it was deemed too difficult for moderns to include in the new breviary 00:55:19 Erick Chastain: (as far as I know, the horologion does, but I'm not sure) 00:56:08 Erick Chastain: that is, I think it does, since the byzantine psalters all include it in ther prayer rule 01:02:29 Joseph Muir: Speaking to Sue's last point, one very real issue is how little time the average parish assigns each week for confession. In my hometown, most of the Roman Catholic churches had an hour each week; in the various places where I've lived, I've never seen a Byzantine church that has actual confession times, always seeking to leave it up to penitents to ask the priest. While a penitent must obviously take initiative, I assure you that there are far fewer Byzantine Catholics who make a regular confession than would if there were set times throughout any given week (on the latter point, the nearly total absence of daily vespers or matins at these Byzantine churches is also a shame) 01:04:03 Eric Williams: Confession has become juridical - we go to seek removal of criminal guilt at the price of some symbolic atonement in penance. It should be medicinal, though, such that we seek healing from skilled physicians, who work methodically, patiently, and compassionately. Too few priests were taught or bother to use good bedside manners. 01:05:37 Joseph Muir: This is also why there is value in having a regular confessor, particularly one who knows one well enough so as to call them out on their BS
Thank you again to all who participated in the group tonight. It was a great blessing as always and joyful. Tonight we concluded Letter 66 of Saint Theophan to the young Anastasia. Anastasia had decided to make a pilgrimage to the monastery of Saint Sergius. Theophan offers her counsel as to how not to turn this into an act of curiosity or to reduce it to a mere stroll. Pilgrimages involve the full self; specific sacrifices and hardships - all of which form and shape the heart. It is a reflection of our journey toward God. She can count upon the blessings and the prayers of Sergius in this journey. However, she must continue to embrace the practices Theophan has taught her. She must pray unceasingly along the journey; the short prayers that he taught her. Above all he encourages her to memorize the Psalms or those that speak to her heart in order that she might be reciting them along the way and meditating upon them. This journey is to be spent reflecting upon her relationship with God and the state of her heart. When she reaches her destination, she is to make a good confession and receive holy communion. The labor of her travel is meant to help sensitize her conscience in order that she might not overlook the most important thing, tears of contrition. It is such tears, rooted in the spirit of repentance, that will open the gates of heaven to her and the flood of God‘s mercy. One tear is like the renewal of baptism, cleansing the heart and restoring one's relationship with God. She must remind herself that the most trustworthy path in this life is one of repentance and that all of heaven rejoices over someone who weeps and is contrite, feeling his sinfulness. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:23:48 Mark Cummings: I am not sure if I should feel bad that I have far less than 50,000 thoughts a day or if I should feel good that I potentially have less bad thoughts to fend off. I wonder when I lose my train of thought if those would be included in the total count for the day. 00:44:38 Ann Grimak: Thank you Father great explanation 00:44:40 Ashley Kaschl: We've kinda moved on but as a sidenote to what Father was talking about earlier...I was told, once, that BUSY is really just an acronym for “Bound Under Satan's Yolk” when it comes to daily Mass, prayer, and the spiritual life, which was definitely a gut check for me
Tonight we concluded Letter 65 wherein St. Theophan quotes St. Poemen on the nature of the God-pleasing life. Theophan emphasize here the importance of being unyielding in dealing with our thoughts. We must give them no room for growth and not nourish thoughts that are contrary to God‘s will and to the life of virtue. Closely tied to this struggle with the thoughts is the cultivation of virtue. He tells us that one must at the same time do good and cultivate every sort of virtue within oneself in order that both of these things will bring about the purification of the heart. Theophan concludes the letter with multiple quotes from Saint Poemen on the fundamental virtues to be cultivated. We find in the Fathers a surprising consistency in their thought. What we must desire above all is to foster an enthusiasm for the Spirit of God. The hotter that this flame burns the less sinful thoughts have any access to the human heart. In turning to Letter 66, we find Theophan speaking with Anastasia about making a pilgrimage to the monastery of Saint Sergius. Theophan is obviously very pleased with this decision. However, he wants Anastasia to understand that this will not simply be a pleasant stroll or satisfy her curiosity. It is a spiritual pilgrimage and she will find in it great labor of mind and body. This is part of what she offers to God and to the particular saint whose intercession she seeks. There will be great fruit, he tells her, that comes from this - both perceptible and imperceptible. God gives the Saints the ability to see what believers do for them and hear what they ask of them. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:06:13 renwitter: https://www.ctosonline.org/patristic/EvCT.html 00:23:00 Carole DiClaudio: What page are we on? 00:23:13 Carol Nypaver: 259 00:23:22 Carole DiClaudio: Thank you :) 01:00:59 renwitter: Probably a boyfriend - taking her on one of those monastery road trips you are always suggesting to couples ;-) He came along to impress Elder Theophan :-D 01:02:24 Carol Nypaver: About 33 miles 01:02:56 renwitter: hahahaahahahha 01:03:13 Carol Nypaver: lol 01:21:58 Carol Nypaver: Thank you! It was a wonderful interview. Good job, Father! 01:22:54 renwitter: https://www.ctosonline.org/patristic/EvCT.html 01:23:17 Ashley Kaschl: Thanks, Father! 01:24:10 Carole DiClaudio: Thanks Father!!
Tonight we continued with Letter 65 on Saint Poemen‘s thoughts on the God-pleasing life. Once again St. Theophan is drawing Anastasia into a deeper understanding of what takes place within the mind and the heart. We constantly have to strive to maintain sobriety; that is, a steady attentiveness and attitude of mind where we simplify the thoughts and keep them focused upon Christ. We do not allow or want to allow ourselves to be formed simply by the world around us and in an indiscriminate fashion. At the earliest age, parents should begin to introduce their children into the things that heighten one's awareness of God; to teach them the love of silence, to show them what commitment to prayer looks like, to help them see how the beauty of the world around them allows them to transcend the self and turn the mind and the heart to God. Beyond this, Theophan encourages Anastasia to tie the struggle with the thoughts to the development of virtue. Forming and shaping the mind and the heart by that which is good strengthens us in order that we can engage in the battle with the thoughts more effectively and eventually overcome them. In this sense, we must take personal responsibility for what goes on in our minds and hearts. We may get to a point where they have put down deep roots within us and our thoughts and actions have become habitual and seem to be out of our control. In reality, however, the responsibility lies with us who at one time or another willed to be negligent or lazy or simply inattentive to God and the spiritual warfare that He calls us to at every moment of our lives. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:13:09 Wayne Mackenzie: page # again? 00:13:23 Ashley Kaschl: 257 00:13:46 Wayne Mackenzie: thnz 00:13:48 Ashley Kaschl: 3rd paragraph, I think
This evening we began Letter 64 where St. Theophan discusses with Anastasia solitude as well as how to avoid boredom and idleness. Theophan is very direct and one might even say stern about this subject. The feeling of loneliness or boredom should be out of place for us if we understand our true identity. We are in reality never alone. The Lord is always close by as well as our Guardian Angel. Therefore, each time we find ourselves alone we must renew as quickly as possible the conviction that the Lord and our Guardian Angel are with us and, in fact, we must rush to take advantage of these moments. Solitude, Theophan tells her, in this spirit is sweet and he prays that she will one day desire it as Paradise on earth. He goes on to tell her that she should avoid idleness at all costs. She should keep the mind focused when her tasks of the day are complete. There are many things that we can do to help us in this regard. Best of all, however, is reading spiritual books. This is the sphere of the most serious subject of all. In it everything is new and never becomes obsolete. The more you learn, the more you will discover subjects that are yet unfamiliar. Moving on to Letter 65, Theophan begins to share with Anastasia the writings of Saint Poemen that relate to what he has been explaining to her for a long time. Repentance and grieving over one's sins is the beginning of the divine path. “Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” A person who repents and grieves over his sins will naturally shun evil and do good. Just as a woman who grieves over the loss of her husband and weeps bitterly can think of nothing else, so a soul that weeps over the loss brought by its sin can't think of anything else but restoring their relationship with God and weeping over their fall. ---- Text of chat during the group: 00:01:58 Sheila Applegate: Hi! I can't unmute. 00:04:07 Carol Nypaver: Also, my son'd birthday (on Padre Pio's Feast). 00:19:27 Mark Cummings: a rent, typically a small one, paid by a freeholder or copyholder in lieu of services which might be required of them. 00:20:06 Mark Cummings: Idle hands are the devil's workshop 00:20:17 Eric Williams: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quit-rent 00:41:30 Fr. Miron Kerul-Kmec Jr.: St. Basil - "Do not submit your souls to corrupt melodies that come to us through the ears. Many passions that enslave us have been caused to grow in our natures by this sort of music." 00:42:01 Cathy: i agree 00:43:15 renwitter: I'm guessing this person he “knows” is himself :-D 01:21:01 renwitter: “For while all things were in quiet silence, and that night was in the midst of her swift course, 15Thine Almighty word leaped down from heaven out of thy royal throne.” One of my favorite passages. The Father communicating His Word to us in the depth of silence. 01:21:43 Carol Nypaver:
Tonight we concluded Letters 63. St. Theophan began to speak with Anastasia about something that was near and dear to her heart - singing and playing the piano. Theophan does not demonize music; but he does understand the impact that it has upon the soul, either to elevate it or to drag it down. Its beauty can make us transcend ourselves, while its coarseness can make us insensitive to that which is beautiful. Therefore, Theophan counsels Anastasia to acknowledge the fact that her abilities are a gift from God. Part of her gratitude for these gifts is to use them in the way that He would intend them to be used and that she would turn them to the praise of God. At this moment, Theophan sees that she had only used them to amuse herself and others and has made no mention of God whatsoever. His words are rather sober and stern, but he wants her to understand that her music can speak to the human heart and do the same thing that a good preacher does in church. The fruit of her gift is to edify others as well as herself. However, sensitive to the fact that her taste in music has developed over the course of years, he counsels her to take things slowly and not to make sudden changes. In closing, Theophan warns Anastasia not to make herself eccentric in the eyes of others and to avoid idiosyncrasies. Rather she has to focus on being good humored and cheerful. Even her laughter must be such that it is not done at the expense of the others but rather is sensitive to the tenderness of the human heart. Likewise she is not to be gloomy in anyway. Her focus upon Christ and his presence in others should foster a joyfulness in her heart. She must never lose sight of the good things the God has created and the good things that exists in others. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:28:38 renwitter: My alarm is Agni Parthene! 00:54:13 Eric Williams: Striving to be a saintly parent for our kids is HARD. 00:56:09 Eric Williams: Imagine what love and holiness could be brought to the world if it were full of living saints! 00:59:16 Eric Williams: Even better than battleships: arks to rescue humanity from the floods of sin and evil in the world! Catholic coast guard! 01:01:42 Eric Williams: Could you share a PDF of “The Ascetic Heart”, Father? 01:02:21 renwitter: It is on the website, Eric! At www.thepittsburghoratory.org/philokalia-ministries, scroll down to “documents.” You can download it right from there. 01:04:09 Carol Nypaver: Thanks, Ren! I was trying to find it too! 01:04:44 renwitter: Oh! Its not there! I will add it tomorrow :-) Check back around noon. 01:05:01 Carol Nypaver: Will do! 01:05:13 Art: On Dancing, St. John Vianney Is it not there, my dear brethren, that the boys and the girls drink at the fountain of crime, which very soon, like a torrent or a river bursting its banks, will inundate, ruin, and poison all its surroundings? Go on, shameless fathers and mothers, go on into Hell, where the fury of God awaits you, you and all the good actions you have done in letting your children run such risks. Go on, they will not be long in joining you, for you have outlined the road plainly for them. Go and count the number of years that your boys and girls have lost, go before your Judge to give an account of your lives, and you will see that your pastor had reason to forbid these kinds of diabolical pleasures! . . .Ah, you say, you are making more of it than there really is! 01:06:24 Carol Nypaver: Wow, Art! Thank you. 01:06:24 Eric Williams: We're drowning in data, but there's precious little information, even less knowledge, and wisdom is rarer than hens' teeth! 01:08:32 Eric Williams: news motto: “If it bleeds, it leads.” 01:11:16 Cathy: i agree Ren! 01:20:14 Eric Williams: I teach my kids that a good joke is one that all parties enjoy, not one that makes us laugh at the expense of someone else.
We began Letter 63 this evening entitled “Singing and Music.”However, St. Theophan begins first by discussing with Anastasia how she engages in the tasks of the day and fulfilling her duties. His counsel to her speaks directly to us as well in our own day. The work that we engage in is to be free from trouble and cares. Otherwise the heart becomes agitated. We must strive to work calmly; for if we do not everyday life becomes a hindrance to the spiritual life and our activity and occupations are done in vain. A hubbub always results in the spiritual life getting nowhere at all. Thus, we must distinguish proper zeal from improper care and worries. Theophan then moves on to address some specific concerns of Anastasia about what is near and dear to her heart; singing and playing the piano. As with everything else, Theophan warns Anastasia that she must be discriminating. We are in a constant state of receptivity and music more than most things has an incredible power over the soul; either in elevating it or dragging it down. Theophan does not demonize music for he sees its true value. He tells her that it is impossible for her to change everything at once. However, she must give due attention to the content of the music that she sings and plays. She must become more discerning and so choosing songs that have a more tolerable content; gradually setting aside and forgetting others that become a mere distraction. Admittedly, this may be very difficult for the modern mind to accept. The norm is to be completely immersed in the noise of the world and to surround ourselves with music in almost every setting. Yet, for the person who desires to please God in all things, nothing must escape the scrutiny of love and the desire for intimacy. Music may be enticing and stimulating but it may also be an obstacle to our relationship with God. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:09:27 renwitter: pghco.org/evergetinos 00:09:30 renwitter: pghco.org/theophan 00:54:46 Samuel + Christina: Harmonium is a reed organ 00:55:01 D Fraley: A harmonium is like an accordion. 01:10:19 Karl MacMillan: I still will argue that Appetite for Destruction by Guns n Roses is just about the perfect rock album - even if I can't really listen to it anymore. 01:11:28 renwitter: What about Valaam chant? 01:11:41 Erick Chastain: I love valaam chant! 01:12:32 Alexander Pearson: Valaam? 01:12:56 Carol Nypaver: They have the most beautiful YouTube videos. 01:13:12 Karl MacMillan: I think everyting has been downhill since the introduction of polyphony :) 01:13:31 Rachel (30): Thank you 01:14:34 renwitter: PSA. These are the links for the Monday and Wednesdays: 01:14:35 renwitter: pghco.org/evergetinos pghco.org/theophan 01:14:56 Rachel (30): Thank you a thousand times. God bless. 01:15:38 Cathy: What a wonderful way to end mt day. Blessings! 01:15:51 D Fraley: Thank you Fr David.
Tonight we concluded Letter 62 on Active Warfare with the passions. Increasingly, Theophan offers more and more practical counsel to Anastasia. Active warfare against the passions includes specific ascetical practices such as fasting, the ordering of sleep and other appetites, avoiding certain forms of entertainment; basically anything that is formative and helps one to be more attentive to God and is conducive to cleansing the passions from the heart. This requires arranging our life and the course of the events in such a way that make us responsive to the action of God‘s grace and providence. God will often bring things together in such a way that events coalesce in order for Him to cleanse us of the passions and grind to dust the squalid and selfishness and stubborn egoism which maintain the passions and destroy the person. Theophan is very much part of a tradition that tells us to kill the passions both inwardly and externally, while cultivating good behavior and giving for range and exercise to the disciplines that cleanse the heart. Theophan reminds her of all the things that she must be attentive to; such as, engaging in spiritual reading, daily scripture readings, self-mortification, and renouncing oneself when necessary. All of these things he has taught Anastasia and simply leaves her with the thought - “May God speed.” Indeed, may God swiftly cleanse our hearts and draws us to His own.
St. Theophan continues to nourish the young Anastasia with solid food. He guides her deeper and deeper into the spiritual life and warfare. We began this evening with Letter 61 where Theophan teaches Anastasia about guarding the senses of hearing and sight. Often the present generation neglects the constant state of receptivity that we find ourselves in as human beings; the intense amount stimuli that the mind and the heart have to engage. We must learn to discriminate between those things that are destructive to our relationship with God or those things that help to elevate it. In Letter 62 Theophan begins to make a distinction between active warfare with the passions and spiritual warfare. The spiritual warfare is everything that he has been speaking to her about; guarding the thoughts, feelings, and the desires that give rise to the Passions. To progress in this arena is the larger part of the spiritual life and leads to holiness. However, active warfare with the passions consist in the deliberate undertaking and carrying out of actions that are directly opposed to the Passions. This, to combat pride a person might embrace a humble occupation or to combat carousing one might stay at home more frequently. When the inner spiritual warfare is tied to this active combat, the passions will soon be defeated. This makes Theophan‘s counsel priceless. --- Text of chat during the group: 01:08:33 Eric Williams: Tiny homes would be wonderful blessings for the homeless, if only so many cities didn't ban them for violating building codes (for minimum square footage). :( 01:17:48 Natalia Wohar: Watch the movie “1917” 01:17:57 Eric Williams: You're a Theophan…fan ;) 01:18:40 Rachel: Thank you.
Tonight we began Letter 61. St. Theophan begins to teach Anastasia about the necessity of guarding the senses, in particular hearing and sight. This is especially challenging in modern times when there are so many sources of stimuli. Nonetheless, Theophan tells her they all hold their influence on the person and guide them either toward the good or toward the evil. Therefore, one must not give free reign to the senses. Do not allow yourself to see everything and hear everything but rather be extremely discriminating. A person who opens up a window and lets in bad air is doing wrong and likewise the person who fills a cup of dirty water from a puddle and pours it over himself is stupid. We do the same when opening ourselves to evil feelings and desires. We act without prudence and responsibility and we subject ourselves to stimuli through the things that we see in hear throughout the course of the day. It is necessary instead for us to rush immediately to blot out the stimulus and to suppress the thoughts by taking them captive through turning the mind and the heart to God in prayer. By leaving evil within ourselves for a long time we give it the opportunity to become more deeply implanted and opposed to expulsion and cleansing. It can take possession of the mind. Theophan, in a very stark way, tells Anastasia that a person who has experienced harm from a stimulus and willingly allows himself to encounter the objects again shows that in reality he delights in the evil; and so is impure to the bottom of the heart. Again, to modern sensibilities this seems harsh or unyielding. But we hold something precious within us - the very love and grace of God and we are to protect it. And so as Jesus says: if your hand causes you to sin cut it off or if your eye causes you to sin pluck it out. There will be certain things that we have to do without in the course of our life in order to protect that which has greater value. In the struggle with temptations the coward is the victor - he who flees or rather runs toward God. --- Text of chat during group: 00:17:09 Joseph Muir: My wife is pretty spotty, so we'll see if I make it through the whole group 00:17:15 Joseph Muir: WIFI*
Sometimes a great question can lead a group in exactly the right direction! That was true this evening in our discussion of Letter 60 of Saint Theophan‘s correspondence with Anastasia. So often the spiritual life can seem amorphous. Yet, how is it lived practically? How is it that we direct anger at the passions and what does that look like? Sometimes the spiritual life and the warfare that Theophan describes can seem frightening - let alone confusing. Understanding this leads us right where we need to be. The Fathers of the Church understood that our faith is not simply a set of beliefs or an ideology. It is essentially ascetical; that is, a response to God‘s revelation of Himself to us and His revelation of what the Paschal Mystery has made possible for us. Our destiny in Christ is to share in the life of the most Holy Trinity. But this involves a response to the grace that God has given to us. That response is repentance; a constant turning toward God and away from the passions. The nature of the passions make this a Warfare. We must invest ourselves with a kind of aggression to kill the passions. They are like serpents seeking to reach the surface from within a pit. The Saints tell us we must strike each one of them down until we have killed them. We must not nourish them through a kind of sympathy towards their presence in our lives. In fact, we must poison them with a holy anger that would strike down anything within the human heart that becomes an impediment to our sharing in the love of God. This is, Theophan tells us, the “shortest path” to purifying the heart and there is no other. We may develop our natural virtues to a high extent but without engaging in this battle we will remain passionate and we will become like the foolish virgins described in the gospel who run out of oil. We cannot borrow virtue, faith, or love from another. Our hearts must burn with desire for the Heavenly Bridegroom. -- Text of chat during the group: 00:20:16 Ashley Kaschl: Don't know how long I'll be able to stay/have service but hopefully I'll get to stay the whole time. 00:44:28 Ashley Kaschl: I think the problem, at least that I've confronted, is that people are afraid to start in earnest in any spiritual warfare in their lives because they have a preconceived notion or image from the culture that they're scared off. 00:56:14 Ashley Kaschl: Gotta go, everyone. Taking off again
When reading the Fathers, one has to be prepared to be challenged; and at in times in ways that are discomfiting. Letter 60 of Theophan's correspondence with Anastasia presents us with such a challenge. The title of the Letter is “Cleansing the Heart.” Theophan focuses on the eruption of passions that come with great force; feelings, desires, thoughts come upon us like a wave or erupt like a volcano. Our response to such circumstances is to be consistent with all that he has taught her. We are to turn these thoughts and feelings out again and to do so repeatedly until they cease. However, Theophan warns Anastasia that despite how these thoughts and feelings come upon us, that is, seemingly unintended, they are in reality a reflection of impurity still present within our hearts. Although at the moment we may not have given an assent to such thoughts, feelings, and desires, the presence of such passions bear witness to the fact that there is still impurity within our heart; that is, at some point, we were guilty through negligence, a lack of prayer, or laziness in the ascetical life. And in all of this we must not conceal ourselves or cover our nakedness, as it were. Rather, we are to humbly blame ourselves and acknowledge our sin and our participation in the sin and its emergence. To do so is to fail to embrace the truth in the sight of God and to ignore the voice of our conscience. It is to hold on falsely to our self-esteem and vainglory. Humility means “truthful living” and acknowledging the truth in an unvarnished way before God. In this and in this alone will we find healing. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:28:30 renwitter: As Mother Mectilde de Bar would tell us, our practice of virtue is not just for the sake of securing our salvation and moving on. We ought always to be seeking to bring greater and greater glory to God. 00:33:16 renwitter: Ya'll are gonna think I'm crazy, but the image that just came to mind is me telling myself that I can watch a certain tv show, or engage in idle conversation without being in danger, and suddenly Miracle Max's wife from The Princess Bride runs in shouting “Liar, Liar!!” 00:33:37 Ashley Kaschl:
“Know that in this is the entire essence of the labor over the attainment of salvation.“ These are bold words from Saint Theophan at the end of Letter 59. However, they do not arise simply from his own experience but from the entire spiritual tradition. Part of the problem in modern times is that we have lost the clarity that is necessary for those in the spiritual battle and the weapons that we have been provided in abundance. Purity of heart, the struggle with a Passions, unceasing prayer, the invocation of the name of Christ; all of these things are part of the arsenal of the Christian and allow him to enter into the spiritual battle without fear. This lack of fear is not a natural virtue but rather comes from our awareness that we are not on the battlefield alone. We have been given access to an inexhaustible source of grace; the Holy Spirit dwells within us and not only elevates our prayer but raises us up to a radical intimacy with the Triune God. What is it that we could possibly lose in this life that is not regained immeasurably in Christ? Perfect love cast out all fear. We dare not tolerate a worldly wisdom that would convince us that the spiritual battle presented before us is for monks alone. All who desire Christ, all who desire the love of the heavenly bridegroom, will be willing to engage in this battle regardless of the costs. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:11:22 Andrea Boring: hi! 00:11:35 Andrea Boring: it says the video was disabled by host! 00:11:47 Edward Kleinguetl: Hi! 00:14:13 The Pittsburgh Oratory: Welcome Andrea 00:14:57 Mark Cummings: Father has a lot of power 00:15:37 Andrea Boring: no :( no worries. it's ok. 00:47:20 renwitter: To this day he will suddenly appear from around a corner in his Judo pose with Judo hands :-D 00:47:41 Ashley Kaschl:
Tonight, in Letter 59, St. Theophan continued to guide Anastasia through the writings of Saint Hesychius of Jerusalem. Again we see how deeply connected Theophan is to the spiritual tradition as a whole. The spiritual battle is very simple, albeit not easy. We must show great attentiveness to what is going on internally and with our thoughts. When we see the enemy advance a thought, we must strike it down with anger in the heart and do so swiftly. Most of all we must pray against it, calling upon the name of Jesus Christ in the heart. The fruit of such an exercise is that we begin to walk upon that path of holy contemplation belong to the Saints, immersing ourselves more more deeply into the mysteries of Christ. It is His Spirit that dwells within us and guides us most of all and that should free us from fear in the battle. When we call upon Christ in that Spirit we lack no power to overcome the attacks of the demons. Theophan also warns Anastasia not to ignore the secret thoughts that can approach the heart. The evil one often begins with what the fathers called “provocation”; thoughts immediately rush in and, if they are met with our thoughts willingly, the passions are stirred. Rather we must seek unceasing silence of any thought in the heart and allow that Spirit to breathe so deeply within us that we are constantly calling upon the Lord. A certain sobriety must guide our actions; we must situate ourselves at the doors of the heart in order that we might see the thoughts creeping up and understand what form the demons are attempting to inscribe and how they are seeking to entice the imagination. --- 00:11:14 Lilly: Hi Nick and Natalia! Happy to see you guys made it! 00:11:28 Nicholas Koeppel: Thank you for the invite Lilly! 01:02:32 renwitter: "Stand at the brink of the abyss of despair, and when you see that you cannot bear it anymore, draw back a little and have a cup of tea" ~Elder Sophrony of Essex 01:02:39 renwitter: Or in Fr. David's case, an espresso 01:02:42 renwitter: Or five 01:03:15 Ashley Kaschl:
Tonight we concluded Letter 58 with another wonderful story from Abba John the Dwarf. We are reminded through it that no matter how far we distance ourselves from the passions, they will always seek us out. They will try to lure us back to a position where we will welcome them into our hearts. At that moment, it is most important to run to the inner chamber, the depths of the heart, and embrace the “Ruler“, that is Christ and allow him to restore peace and calm. When we do this, we are told, it will be as if those passions never existed. In Letter 59, Saint Theophan tells Anastasia that he has told her almost everything about spiritual warfare. There are many passions that approach us in many different ways. But the general method for combating them is the same. What he has set before her is nothing novel. St. Theophan is not an innovator. To show Anastasia this, he begins to quote at length St. Hesychius the priest. In his writings we see the essence of everything that Theophan has taught. There are four fundamental things that we must have in the spiritual battle: humility, extreme attentiveness, refutation of the thoughts, and prayer. Through these, the ascetic will see the enemy bound or chased away by the honorable name of Jesus like dust in the wind. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:29:44 renwitter: Ashley is going to catch on fire pretty soon :-D 00:52:28 renwitter: Same Anthony. Same. 00:53:39 Ashley Kaschl: Just saw this lol definitely had to blow one out
Our thoughts this evening and discussion revolved around a mere two paragraphs of Letter 58. Yet it is here that Saint Theophan draws Anastasia into the heart of the spiritual life; he teaches her about spiritual warfare and the prayer that is needed to engage in the battle. Through the attention of the mind moving into the heart through unceasing prayer one is not only united to God but protected from passionate thoughts, feelings, or desires as they arise. This is an unending battle while we are on this earth. Theophan would have Anastasia understand that she cannot enter into this half-heartedly. One is all whole Saint or no saint at all. One cannot live with one foot in the world and one foot in the kingdom or with a heart divided. We must give our hearts to Christ alone. Anastasia, therefore, must not let her thoughts wander indiscriminately. For if one does it will often trigger memories, the imagination and the recollection of past sins and so trigger new ones or make us more vulnerable. When she sees such things arise she must rush to seek shelter once again in the heart before the Lord. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:06:43 Lilly: Welcome Kevin, another Canadian! :) 00:22:06 Lilly: I was told the prayer rope's tassel is meant for wiping tears, so I think emotion is good during prayer? Just a thought 00:57:40 renwitter: Talk them over with your guardian angel every night :-D 00:59:55 Lilly: @ren yes!! :) 01:01:29 Mary McLeod: Padre Pio had all his spiritual children go at least once a week 01:01:29 John Clark: The Way Of The Pilgrim can be found on kindle for $3.99. 01:07:28 Jim Milholland: Great stuff! So grateful!
Tonight we began Letter 58. St. Theophan begins to teach Anastasia about importance of prayer in the spiritual battle. He has already shown her the various stages of temptation that lead to the development of a passion. However, he acknowledges that such understanding serves little use when one is in the midst of warfare. What is most important is rejecting the thoughts, feelings, and desires that lead to a passion and to do so with extreme prejudice. This is the one instance where wrath is allowed. We must strike down a sinful thought immediately. However, in the face of the relentless activity of the demons this may not be fully effective. In fact, most often it is not. Rather, what is most important in the spiritual life is the constant turning of the mind and the heart toward God through brief aspirations; especially the Jesus Prayer. We must not let our thoughts wander. Nor, must we simply seek to expose the obscenity of the passion. We must not enter a verbal altercation. It is only in turning the mind and the heart to God swiftly that prevent the temptations from penetrating. When the eye of the heart is fixed upon God we rest upon the everlasting rock. We find our security in the spiritual battle in God alone. Thus, we must flee to Him. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:05:26 Art: Fr. David I'll be listening online. With things going back to normal I'm back doing the “soccer mom” thing but in my case it's the Jiu Jitsu dad. 00:05:55 Art: glad to be here 00:06:09 Art: nope sitting in the dojo 00:17:42 renwitter: Reservations for The Ladder of Divine Ascent books are now open! If you would like a book, please text me (Ren) at 603-341-4974 or email me at info@pittsburghoratory.org. Books can be picked up at the Oratory, or shipped (at cost) to any of the States or Canada. Please use the following link to pay for your copy once your reservation is confirmed: www.pghco.org/books . There are three price points: $26 for the book, $34ish for the book + shipping in the US, and $46 for the book and shipping to Canada. We have 46 copies, so we should be able to accommodate everyone who would like one, at least at first. God bless! 00:18:22 renwitter: pghco.org/books 00:18:41 Lisa Weidner: Thank you, Ren 00:20:44 renwitter: Also, for anyone wondering. The edition Father David will be using will be the blue, hardcover edition currently being published by Holy Transfiguration Monastery Press 00:55:19 Andrew Ewell: Thanks Ren that's great 00:57:08 sue and mark: yes, thank you ren 00:58:24 renwitter: Jesus Prayers all the time!! 01:04:29 Andrew Ewell: Beautiful story 01:05:32 Andrew Ewell: Yes!! 01:15:42 Art: Welcome Ashley. Glad to see someone else from The Valley (Phx)
Tonight St. Theophan continues to take Anastasia through the various stages where one gradually gives oneself over to the passion. There is no obligation to commit a sin; there is only a kind of inner self-delusion taking place. We might not commit a sin but nonetheless we are giving ourselves over to the inclination and by considering the thoughts that lead to the passion they become written upon our hearts. This being so, we inevitably become more vulnerable to future attacks. It is for this reason that we must prevent ourselves from getting to the point where we begin to pre-meditate on how to commit an act of sin. Theophan warns Anastasia that the fear of God as easily set aside as is our conscience. Both are dismissed and we move swiftly away from them in order to feel uninhibited in the committing of a sin. Having reached this stage we are unable to strike it out of our hearts easily simply through a kind of verbal denial. The inclination to the sin attaches itself to us and we begin to taste its unpleasant fruits. Grace then deserts us and we feel the weight of the sin crush us. We expect paradise from the satisfaction of the passion. We mimic Adam and Eve who gave themselves over to the delusion - “For ye shall be as gods.” However, when the delusion fails, we find ourselves simply diminished and our hearts filled with anguish and emptiness. And so, Theophan tells Anastasia that she must act quickly to banish such thoughts, desires, and feelings as soon as they manifest themselves. Procrastination is our enemy. Drive away the thought, the feeling, the desire, and the inclination toward the passion disappears. ---- Text of chat during the group: 00:23:06 Mark Cummings: This book should be required reading in Catholic high schools 00:23:53 Joseph Muir: Sadly, I imagine that it wouldn't readily be considered, due to the author be a saint of the Orthodox Church, and not Catholic 00:24:57 Mark Cummings: sadly, probably true 00:32:46 Joseph Muir: To be fair, I do think that, in a very real sense, Eastern Christianity (including Catholicism) is Christianity's best kept secret. Point being, many simply never come in contact with some of these great writers, and some even know the Greek fathers of the church do the degree that they're commemorated on the western calendar. The difference with an Eastern Christian is that the theology of these saints is lived and breathed in the daily Byzantine prayers 00:33:50 Joseph Muir: One is far more likely to come in contact with non-Catholic luminaries like CS Lewis than St Theophane the Recluse 00:37:56 Mark Cummings: It took me 55 years to find Saint Theophan. I read 7 or so CS Lewis books by the time I was 18 00:37:58 John Clark: I think the nuns that taught at my school missed the memo on the anger passion..We were criminally assaulted numerous times....personally 20 times ....mostly beat with boards.....the last time for me was a round house sucker punch closed fist by a beefy nun in the 7th grade.. 00:39:02 Wayne Mackenzie: Agreed, including the Divine Liturgy, the hours and other prayers have the theme of repentance and purity of heart. 00:39:03 Andrew Ewell: Would Cassian's list of passions be a straightforward list across the board of the passions which the Father's have in mind? 00:40:24 Andrew Ewell: Ok 00:45:07 Joseph Muir: I'm sorry that you had to go through that, John Clark
Tonight we picked up with Letter 57 where St. Theophan is discussing with Anastasia the various stages of the development of the passions; the movement from feelings, the provocation of desire, aided by a multitude of thoughts, that then gives over to concrete resolution to commit to sin. There is a kind of premeditation that is fostered by giving ourselves over to these realities and stages that Theophan describes. If unchecked we begin to plot even in a half-conscious way how we are going to act and complete the sin. It is then that the conscience is violated and the commands of God are disregarded. In this struggle we are ever so capable of rationalizing sin and the path to sin. Yet, what we are called to is to put on the mind of Christ. It cannot be our own ego or our reason that becomes the standard of judgment. Rather, we must allow ourselves to be drawn into the Paschal mystery; we must put on the mind of Christ in such a profound way that it is Christ acting within us. Only then will we begin to love as he loves, to forgive as he forgives; willing to be obedient to the Father and to His commands even when cannot see things clearly. Our love for Christ must be so great that our asceticism takes on the shape described by Theophan and the fathers; that is, we become willing to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ - bringing every thought before Him for His blessing or judgment. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:18:21 Gilmar Siqueira: And Brazil. :) 00:18:34 carolnypaver: Awesome! 00:18:47 Mark Cummings: Thank you for doing this remotely! 00:28:12 Gilmar Siqueira: Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: the Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica 00:28:33 Jim Milholland: Thank you! 00:45:37 Eric Williams: Turn the other cheek, love your enemy, do not resist an evil man - but in parking lot after mass, all bets are off. ;) #roadrage 00:56:04 Wayne Mackenzie: When you get this point it can be to late.. and the sin is committed 01:08:04 Eric Williams: Categories of sins too often allow us to find the minimum we must do or how much can get away with. Instead, they should be used to help us better see what to avoid and how to seek after the will of God. We should seek maximal holiness, rather than just minimal sinfulness. 01:09:03 iPhone: Venial or mortal. Sin is sin. It separates us from God. 100% agree with Father. 01:10:07 Erick Chastain: Ambroise de Lombez says that the pride to have an "orderly mind" in one's thoughts leads to scrupulosity 01:10:58 iPhone: ^ Exactly. OCD (me lol) 01:12:49 Eric Williams: Despairing that all sin damns us because God is just is the Christless cross, and rationalizing all sin as acceptable because God is merciful is the crossless Christ. 01:23:49 Eric Williams: This discussion of aggression and retaliation is very timely as I struggle to respond in a Christlike way to a very difficult and infuriating neighbor. Deo gratias! 01:24:00 Erick Chastain: anger according to st Thomas Aquinas is any kind of desire to take action to set something right 01:24:34 Erick Chastain: ...it's not necessarily the emotion which leads to violent action 01:24:52 Erick Chastain: ...for example, just calling the cops is already an act of anger 01:24:53 iPhone: Amen!
We began this evening with Letter 56. St. Theophan again takes up the subject of the passions. If we can capture in one word what he is trying to foster within Anastasia it is this: “fierceness”. The spiritual battle is something that takes place at every single moment and we have to learn to act swiftly in acknowledging who the enemy is and where he is seeking to lead us. We cannot ignore the fact there is a kind of duplicity that exists within us. We can hate sin and love it at the same time. We can be engaged in the spiritual battle but in the deeper recesses of our hearts we can be attracted and delighted by the approach of thoughts that would later lead us into sin. We must lose our sympathy for such things. We are to become angry with sin and drive it out from the human heart as Christ drove out the money-changers from the temple. What has been entrusted to us is precious. It is the very life and love of God and we have been made sons and daughters of God. We must not be willing to sacrifice that identity. This means that we approach the passions with unrestrained and antagonistic action. There is no room for self-indulgence. In letter 57, St. Theophan tells her that guilt begins at the point when we favorably incline ourselves toward a passion. The passion itself is at enmity with God. Therefore, we must interrogate and examine it very quickly and then treat it in a hostile manner. We must treat it as we would treat anything that is an enemy of God - with scornful rejection. -- Text of chat during the group: 00:35:06 Joseph Muir: “[E]ach person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown brings forth death.” James 1:14-15 00:43:31 renwitter: Anyone else having an amazing flash back to Aragorn cutting off the head of the Lord of the Black Gate? Best. Moment. Ever. 00:44:39 carolnypaver: ; ) 00:49:13 Eric Ash: I like from that image it also demonstrates to us that there's times we have to trust in others instead of taking on every battle we are offered. To be aware of where were called to be, and also where we aren't called to be. 00:55:03 Lilly Crystal: What quote is that from? 01:09:58 Eric Ash: It's sounds like in discerning guilt from shame here is that guilt motivates us to reaffirm ourselves to back to God, and shame tells us fall away and quit trying. And that anger towards passion versus anger towards self is similar.
We began with Letter 55 about Warfare with the Passions. Once again Theophan shows himself to be a magnificent teacher. He knows Anastasia well; her strengths, her background, her desire for God and - - her weaknesses, which are few, namely inexperience. She desires above all to embrace the full dignity of the Christian. And it is this goal that Theophan wants to help her achieve. He begins to reveal to her the nature of the warfare with the passions. Often they are very attractive and so we can suddenly be drawn into them and linger in conversation with them. It is for this reason that Theophan gradually begins to teach her that she must not act with pity when it comes to dealing with her own thoughts. No matter how trivial or insignificant they appear, she must immediately call upon God and drive them out of her mind. If she inadvertently falls or is overtaken by one of the passions, she should not be anxious. Rather Anastasia should humbly repent at the passion that has slipped in and then adopt measures for the future in order that she might be more guarded. One method that she must embrace is to avoid self-indulgence. It is the Traitor. Self-indulgence is to blame for all the troubles in the spiritual life. It leads us into the kind of self-pity that inclines us to give sway to our thoughts without examining them and bringing them before God for his blessing or judgment. In Letter 56 he begins to show Anastasia the slightest movements of the passions. He tells her that she has made great strides in her life and can see good and evil. But in reality she has not been tested. Again, one of her weaknesses is that she could regard stronger passions with indifference; thinking that they are no great thing or that they are not dangerous. When this happens they go from being small things to becoming large things. She will no longer be able to drive them away with a single unfavorable glance. If she wants to maintain Christian dignity, he tells her, she must become a more fierce warrior. ---- Text of chat during the group: 00:12:46 Joseph Muir: I got to see Queen + Adam Lambert in Central Park, in September 2019, Eric
It was an extremely powerful group this evening; as one might expect in a discussion about the passions. In letter 54, Saint Theophan begins to instruct Anastasia about the nature of the passions and where they spring from in our lives. Theophan tells her that they are not part of who we are as human beings. They can be removed without destroying the soul. In fact, he instructs her that unless we drive them out they will leave a person in ruins. When they control a human being - in many respects they become more like an animal. Their will and their consciousness are driven and controlled by what is not in accord with nature and with how God has created us. The passions, according to Theophan, arise out of the desire to please one's self, selfishness and pride. The passions are sustained by these. When we give ourselves over to them we are dragged along like a young ass on a cord behind its owner. Therefore, the Saint tells Anastasia that she must not be sparing with herself. She has been controlled by these passions even though that they have not dominated her life. He would have her understand our capacity for self-pity and so also our capacity for self-deceit. The passions can seem and make themselves seem attractive. Thus, we must, in accordance with the Scriptures, be sober and vigilant. We must watch and pray. It is this radical alertness the keeps us from falling victim to the relentless attack of the evil one which can be direct or very subtle. When you look inside of yourself you will see all the many subtle attachments that keep you from embracing the will of the Lord. This is the first thing in the struggle with the passions and she must learn this lesson well. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:17:12 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: the best modern day book on the passions is: Therapy of Spiritual Illness: An Introduction to the Ascetic Tradition of the Orthodox Church (Therapy of Spiritual Illness, I,II,III boxed set) Paperback – January 1, 2012 by Dr Jean-Claude Larchet 00:17:23 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: you can get it in paperback 00:17:44 Erick Chastain: I love those books! 00:38:03 Eric Williams: How, then, do we avoid the heresy of quietism? 00:45:18 Eric Williams: Sorry for being generic. ;) 00:54:23 Eric Williams: Fair point :) 00:57:10 Erick Chastain: LOL I really didn't intend to sidetrack us big time like this 00:57:29 Lilly Crystal: All amazing points :) 00:59:31 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: It is to be remembered that there is a secular definition of “passion”, for example: “Passion is a feeling of intense enthusiasm towards or compelling desire for someone or something. Passion can range from eager interest in or admiration for an idea, proposal, or cause; to enthusiastic enjoyment of an interest or activity; to strong attraction, excitement, or emotion towards a person” (Wikipedia). Thus, we have the Western Christian definition in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, § 1767, 1773, where a “passion” is a morally neutral concept. 00:59:50 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: In the Eastern Christian definition, used here, and in the official catechism of the UGCC: Christ Our Pascha § 795, “passion” is always a vice, one of the eight capital sins. In the East, a “passion” (from pathos in Greek) is any deadly obsession that seems to be beyond our ability to control, let alone to recognize, in ourselves. “Passions” arise from “logismoi”, literally “thoughts”, that act on and overcome people, becoming habits of thinking, feeling-willing, and desiring over which we have little or no control. Thus, a passion is any spiritual “cancer”, poetically described as a “death-bearing” or “soul-corrupting” sin. 01:00:09 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: Those Eastern Church Fathers, whose works were written between the 4th and 15th centuries and collected and published in the Philokalia-Добротолюбіє, list “by name a total of 248 passions and 228 virtues” (see English language edition, page 205, Volume 3). The Greek word “pathos” can also mean and be translated as “sufferings, desires, energies, zealous activities, cravings” depending on its context. 01:01:33 Lisa Weidner: Thank you, Fr John 01:02:19 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: In 375 AD, Archdeacon Evagrius of Pontus (c. 346-399) developed a com¬pre¬hen¬sive list of eight evil assaulting “thoughts” (Greek: logismoi, Ukrain¬ian: помисли). Through the centuries this was systematized in the East by various saints, mostly St. Maximos the Confessor (590-662). The assaulting “thoughts” act on and over¬come people, becoming habits or compulsions of thinking, feeling-willing, and desiring over which we end up having little or no control. At this point, the “thoughts” are said to have become “passions” (Greek: pathеа, Ukrainian: пристрасті). 01:02:49 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: In the East, the passions are a distortion, deprivation or misdirection of the intellective, appetitive and incensive powers of the soul. See Tables at: http://ocampr.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/the-christian-ascetic-tradition-on-dejection-and-despondency-david-holden-2004.pdf. The “passions” enslave us and thereby are the chief cause of our sufferings. In liberating us from sin and the effects of sin, our Lord delivers us from our passions as well as the pain which they cause. St. Gregory the Dialogist (Pope of Rome from 590-604) would revise Evagrius' list to form what, in the West, is today more commonly known as “the Seven Deadly Vices”, or Sins. 01:03:14 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: St. John “of the Ladder” (Climacus, 579-649) was of the opinion that although the passions (пристрасті) were not directly created by God, they are still naturally good, except for akedia-listlessness, despondency. In Step 26, 156, of his Ladder of Divine Ascent, he writes: “Nature gives us the seed for childbearing, but we have perverted this into fornication. Nature provides us with the means of showing anger against the serpent, but we have used this against our neighbour. Na¬ture inspires us with zeal to make us compete for the virtues, but we compete in evil. It is natural for the soul to desire glory, but the glory on high. It is natural to be over¬bearing, but against the demons. Joy is also natural to us, but a joy on account of the Lord and the welfare of our neighbour. Nature has also given us resentment, but to be used against the enemies of the soul. We have received a desire for food, but not for profligacy.” 01:03:29 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: It is when we use our free will to misdirect the passions from the good towards the evil, that we allow the passions to gain control over us. This, in turn, is how the thieves, or demons, are empowered by us to rob us of eternal life. A helpful passage on this latter point regarding what demons do, is to be found in the homily at: https://www.holycross-hermitage.com/blogs/articles-sermons/sermon-for-the-sunday-of-st-john-climacus-2017 01:13:51 Mark Cummings: I hope he was talking to a do 01:13:53 Mark Cummings: dog 01:15:22 renwitter: Mark! :-D Hahhaha. LOL 01:19:19 Lilly Crystal: Pray, Hope and Don't Worry! -Padre Pio
We began this evening with letter 52. St. Theophan continues to discuss with Anastasia the importance of warming the heart. Our passions have so dampened the wood that it can no longer be enkindled. We must go out in search of dry wood. We must protect that part of ourselves that have perhaps not been permeated by the passions. More importantly we must draw close to God that it might inflame our hearts and free our spirit. All of this is a preparation for letter 53. St. Theophan begins to discuss with Anastasia the passions and how they are an obstacle to the spirit that burns with the love for God. They must be expelled. The passions are not a part of us as human beings. They arise out of our fallen state and our sin and they permeate every aspect of who we are as human beings. The are alien to us and parasitic. These passions, then, acting in collusion with the demons take control of the person even if he thinks that he is in control of himself. It is the spirit that must first escape their grip. And this only comes when the grace of God pulls it free. The spirit, then, filled with the fear of God and the action of grace develops a resoluteness. However, the emergence of this resoluteness in the pursuit of God must be accompanied by the willingness to labor for many years. We are to engage in a spiritual warfare against the passions. Theophan describes thrashing them; driving them out of the temple of our hearts as Christ drove out the money-changers from the temple in Jerusalem. The remembrance of God is the foothold for life in the spirit. It is for this reason the Theophan has spent so much time speaking with Anastasia about it. She has only come to acknowledge and recognize the passions within her. She has of yet, and perhaps we have as yet, not entered fully into the spiritual battle. She must not, he tells her, be bashful but prepare herself to enter fully and vigorously into the battle and to expose her passions and sins to the light. Text of chat during the group: 00:19:04 Joseph Muir: What's the name of the biography on St Philip Neri? 00:42:33 Lilly Crystal: Hi Father, Sorry for being late! ❤️
Tonight we picked up with Letter 51, entitled “Turning the burdens of life to spiritual profit”. Saint Theophan gives Anastasia some of the best and most practical advice and counsel here. He begins to teach her a method of reinterpreting everything that comes before her eyes in a spiritual sense. She had been struggling, as we often do, with distractions in her day-to-day work and so finding it very difficult to maintain the constant remembrance of God. Therefore, gradually, Theophan teaches her how reinterpret every day activities, extraordinary and ordinary, into a means of actually drawing the mind and the heart to God. Far from being an obstacle, when spiritually reinterpreted they become the most beneficial means of moving the thoughts and imagination toward God. Theophan tells Anastasia to begin with home and the people that she knows in her every day activities; and then to do it with everything that she sees within the world and every circumstance she encounters. Gradually it will become very natural for her. At the close of the letter, however, he warns her not to spare herself. There's a certain wrongful activity that is afflicts everyone. We spare no labor on any matter except when it comes to that of salvation. This she must remove from her heart. The most important matter is our salvation and consequently it will be the most difficult labor of our life. But it is worth it. In Letter 52, Theophan brings Anastasia back once again to the remembrance of God. He knows that he is repeating himself and that she is probably becoming fatigued. Yet he tells her that his repetition is rooted in the fact that this remembrance of God is the most important thing of all and all power is in it. What he explains to her in this letter is that she must do all in her power to warm her heart with ever deeper devotion and reverence for God. It cannot simply be a barren remembrance but that which is guided by the deepest feelings of love and urgency. She must pray and read until she begins to notice this warmth developing within the heart. Only when she sees this happening can she be confident that it will continue to influence her throughout the course of the day. This is what the Lord himself desires: “I came to set fire on the earth of human hearts, and I could not wish for more other than that it inflame everyone as soon as possible!” --- Text of chat during the group: 00:29:07 Lilly Crystal: Gracias hermana @Ren 00:30:37 Eric Williams: I am still disappointed and saddened that the Church did not use closed churches as an opportunity to promote the Divine Office. :( 00:30:54 renwitter: De nada mija @Lilly! 00:33:35 Eric Ash: Mother Theresa once said, "the most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved." And she is someone who saw the ravages of what we traditionally call poverty. 00:35:00 Lilly Crystal: Toronto is back under severe lockdowns. 10 people max at Church. I was turned away from confession yesterday. Please keep us Canadians in your prayers 00:35:42 carolnypaver: Heartbreaking…..We'll keep praying for an end… 00:36:12 Wayne Mackenzie: in Edmonton back in major lockdown 15 people allowed in church 00:37:12 carolnypaver: *gasp*. And I complained that AAA made me put on a mask today to get some documents notarized. :( 00:37:24 Lilly Crystal: It's truly heart breaking @Wayne 00:37:55 Eric Williams: Better to pray in the bathroom than to doomscroll through Facebook, right? ;) 00:38:07 Joseph Muir: We have it good here in the States, Carolyn 00:38:16 Joseph Muir: PREACH, Eric!!!!!! 00:38:37 Erick Chastain: it is a canticle 00:39:02 Lilly Crystal: @Eric Me and my chotcki
The simplicity and the clarity of St. Theophan‘s thought often keeps us perhaps from seeing the holy genius and the beauty that is expressed in these letters. This was particularly evident tonight as we concluded letter 49 and began letter 50. St. Theophan begins by talking to Anastasia about a particular infirmity that we all struggle with as human beings - worry. Anxiety is a disease that is rooted in our separation from God. We experience within our very depths a kind of disintegration; sometimes a very specific form of anxiety and sometimes a very diffuse kind of uneasiness about life, love, and work. Theophan's simple advice is that she should not to let it take root in her heart. She must engage in her work with enthusiasm and clarity and her focus must be upon God and remembrance of him. In letter 50 he returns to this very subject with Anastasia. The remembrance of God is necessary. Indeed, it is to be the labor of our life. If we do not achieve it we will come to nothing. We will have no success in the spiritual life and in fact we will have no spiritual life at all. The remembrance of God is the very essence of the spiritual life. It is vitally important! In this sense he tells her that the remembrance of God cannot even be treated as ordinary thought. Every concept of God, every attribute of God, everything that he has revealed of himself to us, all of his redemptive work is to be caught up in and permeate our remembrance of him. It is this that energizes the heart and the spirit. Furthermore she must remember the mercies of God and thank Him for them. All the good things that God has given her - her family, her piety, her recent conversion and desire for God - all of these things she must hold in her mind. Above all she must remember all of the secret mercies the God has shown her, all the many ways that he has protected her in unseen and hidden ways. Love ignites love he tells her. She must hold to her heart the knowledge of God‘s love for her at every single moment. This must be the source of her resolve. Soon the flame of that love will burn so hotly that she will not have to labor to pray or to remember God - her heart will take her there with the urgent longings. ---- Text of chat during the group: 00:34:16 Lilly Crystal: I am totally anxious if I don't have a daily prayer routine! “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17 00:37:57 Eric Ash: The psalms weren't written by someone who was a stranger to anxiety and feelings of hopelessness. 00:42:29 Lilly Crystal: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” Peter 5:7 00:45:47 Eric Williams: Scientist solidarity, Erick. Balancing intellect and faith is very challenging. 00:46:04 Erick Chastain: yeah for sure 00:47:37 Eric Ash: Must be an Eric/k thing 00:48:29 Eric Williams: Yeah, we're a bunch of troublemakers. ;) 00:48:52 Erick Chastain: LOL 01:03:25 Eric Williams: Already sent it to my oldest godchild. :) 01:10:59 Art: No mind 01:24:35 Lilly Crystal: Thank you Father. God bless 01:24:38 Nicole's iPhone: Thank you! 01:26:51 Lilly Crystal: I would come all the way from Canada
Tonight we began letter 49 on facing the burdens and responsibilities of life. These realities, St. Theophan tells Anastasia, are not to be seen as obstacles to a holy life or doing God's will. In fact, it is by God's providence that we are presented with the work and station in life that we have embraced. It is the disposition of the mind and heart that is most important. The meanest and smallest of tasks of life or the most demanding of duties must be done as if received from God's hand and with the constant remembrance of Him. We cannot allow what we do become abstracted from that relationship as if it could exists independently from God and outside of the action of His grace. God is everywhere and in every occupation. It is He that we should be looking for in ever set of circumstances and we must receive every person as if we were receiving Him. Worldly standards must not direct our actions. Rather we must put on the mind of Christ in order that we might approach all things with a selfless love and absolute desire to do the Father's will. Any occupation that makes that impossible or threatens it in some fashion should be avoided. ---- Text of chat during the group: 00:16:29 carolnypaver: Different translation from the one we did before? 00:16:38 renwitter: Yes 00:17:11 carolnypaver: Will you let us know when we can pick up? 00:17:26 renwitter: Yep! Absolutely 00:17:53 carolnypaver: Awesome! 00:42:31 Miron: “Be careful that when you say ‘I'm too busy' that you don't really mean that ‘I don't believe in the possibility of my own transformation' (in Christ)” Archimandrite Maximos 00:54:13 Eric Williams: “Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.” 00:55:21 Erick Chastain: I think the mic should work now if there's time 01:06:16 renwitter: The beautiful thing about accepting our work as something given to us by the Lord, and done for his sake, is that that reality is not dependent on the nature of the work, right? The Politician's job is as much God-given as that of the Father in the home. 01:15:20 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: It is also liberating to realize that the Lord is the one who will appreciate, thank or reward us; and this, in a way that ia always perfectly sinless and just. 01:15:53 Eric Williams: I found the proper attribution for what I said earlier. Greek lyric poet Archilocus (c. 680–645 BC) wrote, “We don't rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.” It seems to have gained modern attention after being partially misquoted by a Navy SEAL. 01:28:47 renwitter: Down with cell phones!! (But seriously, can texting be obliterated from the face of the earth. Those little dings. . . . its like audio water torture) 01:29:18 Daniel Allen: agreed haha 01:29:22 Joseph Muir: Turn off the sound-effects
Tonight we picked up with Letter 48. St. Theophan begins to instruct Anastasia about how to attain Undistracted Prayer. One of the most difficult labors in the spiritual life is to settle one's thoughts. As we seek to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ we are confronted with the multiplicity of our thoughts and their unruliness. Theophan tells Anastasia that she must have firm resolve and hold on to her anxiety about this and intensify her efforts in correcting the fault of allowing her mind to wander. To pacify one's thoughts is a gift of God but nonetheless we must labor with our whole being. We must force ourselves in every good thing but especially in prayer. Theophan is very stark in his language. He does not hesitate to tell Anastasia that prayer is the most important thing in our life as human beings. In fact our whole being must become Prayer; we must be directed toward God in all that we do say and especially in how we pray. Therefore we cannot enter into prayer as a by-the-way activity or in a haphazard fashion. To do so, Theophan tells Anastasia, is a criminal offense. This language seems harsh but what he's trying to communicate to her is that prayer is fundamentally an act of justice toward God, giving Him what is His do. We have been created for Him and to share in the fullness of eternal life. There is nothing more important in this world than to live for God. ---- Text of chat during the group 00:37:24 Eric Williams: Sometimes maintaining a prayer rule feels more like a sysyphean task than herculean. ;) 00:39:28 Sheila Applegate: Add Cerbwrys 00:39:35 Sheila Applegate: Adce 00:39:57 Sheila Applegate: Cereberus spitting fire from the base. 00:40:24 Sheila Applegate: My phone is glitchy, sorry. 00:42:15 Miron: metropolitan 00:47:38 Mark Cummings: It is my dream to live next door to church 00:48:10 Eric Williams: Often it's not just a matter of how close a church is, but more whether/when it's open for prayer. :( 00:49:11 Wayne Mackenzie: There was a time when the churches were open all day 00:50:56 Mark Cummings: Not long ago I could go to adoration any time 24/7 00:51:02 Mark Cummings: pre-covid 00:51:15 Mark Cummings: I miss that 00:51:41 Wayne Mackenzie: I am talking about the 60s 00:52:26 Mark Cummings: lol- it is not often that I get to say that was before my time 00:53:07 Wayne Mackenzie: yes I am giving my age away 00:58:15 Eric Williams: “Grasp” is an interesting choice of word. The origin of the modern “comprehend”, meaning “understand”, is from Latin for “grasp”. It's as though we wrap our minds around an idea, enveloping and seizing it. It's very material, “earthy”. 01:13:45 Eric Williams: Isn't hyperbole a prominent part of ancient rabbinic teaching styles? 01:28:06 Nicole: Thank you! 01:28:12 Scott: What if we end with the Sienfeld bass instead? More positive! 01:28:59 Eric Williams: Instead of the Law and Order “bong”, just say “Pray, criminal!” for an appropriate level of jarring. ;)
Tonight we came to the conclusion of Letter 47 on developing a prayer rule. St. Theophan begins by warning Anastasia that she must be even more diligent and concentrated in the evening. It is then that we often become sluggish and inattentive as we become more and more fatigued or after we have had the evening meal. It is at times like this that we can be subject to particular temptations. Therefore, Theophan tells Anastasia that she should increase her prostrations and petitions to God and that she should even seek to fall asleep with the Jesus prayer on her lips or reciting some psalm. Along these lines Theophan encourages her to memorize a certain number of the psalms; in particular those that speak to her heart. She should allow herself to read through the Psalter and then select those that mean the most to her. And this way she will be fully armed for the spiritual battle. Most important of all, however, is that Anastasia sees herself standing before God with her “mind in the heart with devotion and heartfelt prostration to him.” All of his other suggestions are mere aids in the practice. What is going on in the heart is most important. He then tells her that in her prayer rule she should set a distinct number of short prayers that she says as well as a set number of prostrations that are done. This will keep her from falling into laziness and help her to stretch herself in the development of her prayer. She should not speed through these and if she does she should add additional prostrations to her practice. Thus, she must have a certain spiritual maturity; not trying to cheat God. As a brief conclusion Theophan tells her that he is sending her a prayer rope that he wants her to use. This is not a monastic thing, he emphasizes. In fact, Theophan received and heard about the prayer rope from a lay person. It is simply an aid to allow one's love and devotion to be directed to God; one that adds a bodily element to that effort. For this reason it is invaluable. ---- Text of chat during the group: 00:28:58 Eric Ash: I'm reminded of a study that showed artist renditions of the last supper have been showing an increased portion size over the centuries as society's view of what a modest portion is has grown. 00:37:14 Scott: https://www.amazon.com/Psalms-New-Translation-Singing-Version/dp/0809116693/ref=sr_1_5 This Psalter is the same translation as the breviary commonly used in the US, which is a pleasant translation. 01:00:50 renwitter: Hey folks! Sorry this is off topic, but since you are here :-) If you are not already, but would like to be on the mailing list for Philokalia Ministries, please fill out this form! Thank you! https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fapp.etapestry.com%2Fonlineforms%2FThePittsburghOratory%2Fphilokaliacontact.html%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0_S8CqCO7SYILbW8mLPQfACza8728Y7UDGDMFZopqoZ-ytgi0GumyQoRA&h=AT0XPibbprPPvay0ZxKcKhkPmFtot0lrrjJjmurma0VgE9HNjqGO9WQ5tD-pVT2rRAEZiQF-1Nvf03RY3uXkfVIIFbB8OlI_WFtjktNqJ_-zQFRX6DyT8QLToXEV9qquNMQfnG7e6w&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT3qqUcjHbbsDV6cRbNPgatZ405PY07aOV1kg-XwstnyFNKsYKofNczkMTzIAH5VjlLdTDbZHPu75Rani-bux_zi0Nm6eOSUhEw5e1CmF1nQFyuHskX2YVkRjsdulqrZ5WtJ4N8b1s4F-oVpMEWATX-FSxCWDmVvjvPHjtqECCOCA1bsALdKdM-yeDfeJJq1du-jI4Ne
Tonight we picked up with Letter 46 to Anastasia including general rules about staying on the spiritual path. St. Theophan's guidance is very sensible. He begins by encouraging her to pray, read and meditate in order to engage her mind, body and memory in every aspect of her prayer. He does not want it simply to be a discipline for her but rather a relationship. She must labor with all of her strength trusting in God and that He will provide things in His own time and in accord with His Providence. In Letter 47 St. Theophan begins to lay out for her the foundations of a prayer rule. He begins by telling her that this has been the practice of great practitioners of prayer from the beginning. It helps us to avoid laziness but it also helps us to restrain our enthusiasm so that it is always measured. She must not be overly concerned about the number of prayers she is doing but rather the manner in which she is engaging God. One of the great pieces of advice that he offers her goes back to the earliest of the Fathers. He wants her to begin to memorize her prayers and not always be reading from a book. He wants her to have access from her own heart the longings and desires expressed in the prayers that she has memorized. In particular, he encourages her to memorize the Psalms that speak to her soul in a particular way. We will pick up there next time.
Tonight we began Letter 46 wherein Saint Theophan gives Anastasia general rules for staying on the true path. He begins by praising her for her great love of the Lord and her zeal in the spiritual life. Yet, he wants to give her a number of rules to help her persevere. The first is to fear doubt and to see it as the primary enemy. The demons will instill in us a false sense of security or a prideful view of our spiritual gains. When we fall into sin they then drag us down into doubt and make us question our commitment. Secondly, Theophan tells her that fear and apprehension will not abandon her. In fact, she must hold onto them because they will make her vigilant in avoiding the snares of the evil one. No matter how proficient she becomes in the spiritual life she must remain ever vigilant. Thirdly, she must always hold on to the fear of death and judgment. This is not meant to lead Anastasia into anxiety but rather to open her eyes to the brevity of her life and to see that every action and deed is freighted with destiny. It is meant simply to make her take her life seriously. Fourthly, she is to avoid undesirable company. While not distancing herself completely from the world she must understand that as human beings we are in a constant state of receptivity. Because of our sin we must then guard our hearts and be discerning about what we receive into them. Finally, Theophan tells Anastasia not to avoid people or become gloomy. In her spiritual struggles she must not make herself an oddity in the eyes of others nor should she put on a gloomy appearance which betrays a lack of hope and trust in the grace of God. She must rather practice the asceticism of joy and always bear witness to her hope in Christ. ---- Text of chat during group 00:18:05 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: In case anyone needs it, to understand St Theophan better, my brother wrote a three page summary: A Brief Primer on Patristic Greek Anthropology with an Emphasis on the Process of Contemplation and Obstacles to It Very Rev. Andriy Chirovsky, SThD September, 2003 http://tho3306.sheptytskyinstitute.ca/2013/11/27/a-chirovsky-brief-primer-in-theological-anthropology/ 00:36:40 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: Great Vespers in UGCC http://archeparchy.ca/wcm-docs/docs/order_of_great_vespers_pdf.pdf Daily Vespers http://archeparchy.ca/wcm-docs/docs/order_of_dailyt_vespers_pdf.pdf Propers for Saturday and Feastday evenings https://lit.royaldoors.net/ I also email texts for Matins and Divine Liturgy to anyone who ask for it. 00:59:42 Eric Williams: “Acquire a peaceful spirit and then thousands of others around you will be saved.” - St. Seraphim of Sarov 01:04:56 Eric Williams: It seems to me that data are plentiful, actual information is uncommmon, edifying information that increases knowledge is rare, and finding knowledge that leads to wisdom is like being struck by lightning or winning the lottery. 01:05:42 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: Amen, Eric. 01:16:01 Eric Williams: I was thinking that, Father, so I'm glad you said it! ;) 01:23:02 Mark Cummings: Thank you!
It is often a few paragraphs that turn into a beautiful blessing; suddenly one's vision is cleared and our understanding of the spiritual life opens up. This is exactly what St. Theophan does for Anastasia in letter 45. He speaks to her once again about not allowing her thoughts to wander. In fact he speaks very sternly with her here not out of anger but rather as a matter of emphasis. This is at the very heart of the spiritual life - the remembrance of God. And so, he offers her a number of conditions for success. 1). uninterrupted continuity and persistence. Anastasia must not let off of the prayer rule that he will provide her or in this exercise of taking her thoughts captive. 2). To practice patience and self-discipline. Anastasia will inevitably experience doubt and a weakening of her desire and will. All of these she must drive away and continue in her labors. 3). To be inspired with hope in the Lord. When God sees her labor and her commitment he will add grace to grace until she begins to experience the fruitfulness of her labors. One of these fruits is calmness of heart. The more one lives within the depths, even when the waters on the surface are choppy and life seems chaotic, one can still experience the peace of the kingdom. Theophan‘s final reminder to Anastasia is that this work of the spirit within her is what she set out to embrace. If she follows it faithfully, she will become a real person; a daughter of God created in His image and likeness and living in constant communion with Him. --- 00:27:30 Eric Williams: *idle* curiosity 00:28:18 Eric Williams: clickbait! 00:43:38 Eric Williams: We got distracted and our thoughts wandered. ;) *rimshot* 00:47:41 Eric Williams: Getting up at 3 AM to pray was even harder than the silence! 01:00:26 renwitter: I am quitting tomorrow!!! 01:00:41 Erick Chastain: lol yeah me too 01:02:47 renwitter: Yay!! No work, no work. You guys want to form a commune? Saint Theophan's Skete? 01:10:01 carolnypaver: My husband has a computer-intensive job. He sets an alarm on his computer to go off every hour to redirect/consecrate his work to God.
St. Theophan continued to talk with Anastasia about the dangers that arise as one draws to the end of Lent and the beginning of Spring. Both have particular and subtle dangers tied to them. The first is seeing Lent as an end in itself. Rather, Lent is a springboard into greater intimacy with the Lord and commitment to him in the life of prayer. If we see it as a period of endurance for 40 days then we are gradually going to slide back into past behaviors and ways of thought. Similarly springtime brings new life and birth and the excitement of all that is going on around us and stimulating the senses. There is nothing, of course, that is evil about this; but if we do not see it within the context of God who is our creator and who has made all these things, our attention can be directed in a disordered way toward them and away from God and from the spiritual life. That which is good, then, can be used as a temptation to pull us away from our discipline. Theophan warns her about suspicious thoughts that seek to interject themselves into the mind; in particular, the thought “why did I begin“. We will often question ourselves as to why we started along the path that we were on and in the process we question God and the movement of His grace. This Anastasia must fight against and pray that God would preserve her from its effects. In letter 45, St. Theophan emphasizes for her again the importance of undistracted prayer. It is the barometer of the spiritual life and reveals to her how high or low or spirit has gone in seeking God. He reminds her that in essence prayer is the remembrance of God and the raising of the heart and mind to Him in love. This she already sees and understands and must simply hold onto it as the greatest truth of life. ---- 00:17:47 Mary McLeod: we're both here :) 00:31:25 Mark Cummings: Hello- several weeks ago someone referenced a good youtube video of the Jesus Prayer chant. Do you happen to know what the youtube video was? 00:37:26 Sheila Applegate: Well said, Andreea. 00:56:16 Mark Cummings: Doing vs Being, lol 00:56:20 Eric Williams: Telling people I'm a stay-at-home dad has led to a lot of awkward conversations. According to some, I'm perverting God's created order! To others, a man is somehow worth less if he does not materially provide for his family. 01:02:27 Mark Cummings: Sorry to hear that Eric. 01:18:41 Mark Cummings: Thank you!
Once again St. Theophan expresses a kind of a holy genius as he speaks to Anastasia. We began the evening by discussing his final simple rule to follow in order to progress in the spiritual life. Patience, he tells Anastasia, will help her to endure and see through the trials and tribulations of life. It will allow her to remain steadfast her discipline. She is not always going to see the fruit of her labor and perhaps not for many years. So she must hold on to the wisdom of the fathers and of the Church; trusting that God will make all things work for the good of those who seek Him. In Letter 44, St. Theophan offers Anastasia three precautions to take so that she might avoid some of the pitfalls involved in walking along the spiritual path. The first is never to think that you've already succeeded in doing something. The thought that “I've done it!” easily slips into our mind in such a way that we lose our energy in the pursuit of the spiritual life. Secondly we must not allow ourselves to relax under any condition. By this, he does not mean that we do not allow ourselves time to rest and to be restored physically. What is warning against is that the Evil One can tell us that we've been working very hard and that we should ease up on self-constraint and self-observation. When this happens we begin to indulge ourselves indiscriminately. It is like a hole in a dam; it eventually wears away the earth until the water floods through. The evil enemy will speak these words of sweetness to us to give us false encouragement. And finally, Theophan begins to offer a word a special caution that is tied to the celebration of Easter as well as the coming of spring. As we come to the end of the penitential season and as we see new life emerge in our world and its beauty, we can find ourselves overcome by the senses. Simply put, the new life that emerges in spring time can be enough to arouse all the senses and unless we are vigilant as to what's going on within we can be led astray even by what is good. The devil often takes the form of an angel of light or uses that which is good in order to distract us - ultimately leading to our fall.
This evening we moved on to letter 43. St. Theophan had been teaching Anastasia about reining in the thoughts; in particular, through the use of the Jesus prayer. We are not simply to allow our thoughts to draw us where they will but rather redirect them toward God. Here Theophan becomes more specific in his teaching and gives Anastasia three rules to follow. However, before this he begins by describing for her the inner movements of the thoughts, the heart, and the desires. Thoughts multiply and they hang within the mind like fog. But more than that - they swarm like mosquitoes. Thus, there is a constant movement among the thoughts. Beneath this is the heart and within the heart the thoughts constantly strike the heart and afflicted it. The passions are stirred and there is no order to be found. Emotions shake the heart like a leaf blowing in the wind. Emotion always engenders desire. And with this comes inner confusion and uncertainty. We can have contradictory desires at the same time. Out of this confusion grows kind of gloom and in the gloom the demons will enter to afflict us and whip up things even more. Anastasia then must recommit herself to work for the Lord and belong to Him alone. She must seek with all of her strength to destroy this inner disorder. The first rule is to engender that unceasing remembrance of God. The constant thought of God decreases the confusion and embracing this habit conscientiously within a few months time will help still things in great measure. The second rule is always to obey the conscience which must be well formed. When obedient to it we will seek the things of God and seek to please Him. As one would expect much discussion ensued about the spiritual life. Theophan draws Anastasia forward and in doing so he takes us with her and shows us the path into the depths of the heart where God dwells - and where peace alone is found.
Now that Anastasia has gone to confession and received holy communion, St. Theophan begins to guide her along the path of salvation in order that her joy might be complete. He begins by clarifying for her that our hope for life and for love and for salvation is to be found in Christ alone. No earthly power or reality can save us. Her confidence should come from the fact that it is this God who dwells within the very depths of her being. It is He who lifts her up and allows her to say, “Though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.“ At this point he introduces Anastasia to what is at heart of the spiritual life- prayer. He describes it as the unknown “unceasing remembrance of God.” We are never to allow God to slip out to the margins of our minds and hearts, never allow him to be overshadowed by anxieties and fears. Rather, we are to call upon him and bring Him to mind habitually, until we begin to experience this as God looking at us and we looking at Him. It is the gaze of Divine Love. To this purpose he begins to teach her the Jesus prayer. “Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me a sinner” or “Lord have mercy.” To cry out these two or three words with devotion and reverence allows us to take hold of the Spirit of Love that groans within us - love that is eternal and beyond words. Therefore, if she has never heard of this then she must listen and if she has never done it, he tells her, she must begin doing it from this moment on. Whether she is walking or working or eating or going to bed these words must be repeated within the mind and the heart. With reverence and love one must be constantly reaching out toward God. This is her genuine service to the Lord - giving Him the love, praise and worship He deserves.
Tonight we concluded letter 41 where St. Theophan is discussing with Anastasia the practice of confession. First and foremost she must let go of all childish fear and anxiety and remember that it is God himself who provides the grace of repentance and like the father in the story of the prodigal son, God draws close to her with arms outstretched in order to embrace her. The more her conscience is sensitized and the more frequently she practices Confession the anguish of heart that she will experience will be transformed into compunction - a mourning over love lost and the desire to see it restored. She will become more cognizant of the ways that she is incorrigible and so will begin to struggle more fully with the sins that often remain hidden. The most important thing that he would have her remember is that she establish a true intention and the decide to be diligent about everything before God. She must not complicate things but rather allow her approach to God be simple and humble. It is best to confess the evening before communion in order that the next morning should be filled only with the thought of receiving her Lord. And when she prepares herself to receive that day she should come with a simple desire that the Lord provide her through the his grace with the strength that she needs for every kind of good so that her life will be acceptable to him. That is all! --- Text of the chat during the group: 00:30:16 Anthony Joyce: similarly we'd never tell our spouses to only say sorry for non-venial sins against us 00:42:17 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: One must remember that the distinction (philosophically speaking) between venial and mortal sins belongs to western spirituality which is not used in the Christian East. The East is more sensitive to Semitic ways of thinking about sin as "missing the mark" in the way that a marksman would miss the bull's eye of a target. This is what St Paul means when he says in Romans that all have sinned. From this flow the idea that our Lord is the New Adam or the perfect Adam because he does not miss the mark of what it means to be human. Discussions about mortal and venial are superfluous here since it makes no difference whether you miss the mark by a few inches or by many feet. When we speak of venial and mortal we are talking in the realm of relationship, rather than being human. Here of course one can sin in such a way that the relationship may be disturbed but not destroyed. to use the spousal example, sometimes "I'm sorry" is enough but other times a card, a box of chocolates, etc. 00:44:11 Sheila Applegate: Great point. I like this way of thinking about sin better. 00:45:46 Eric Williams: I've been wondering about this ever since becoming Byzantine. How does the East distinguish sins that *must* be confessed before receiving the Eucharist from those that are not necessary but still helpful to confess? 00:45:49 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: I simply point this out because St Theophan's advice is steeped in Eastern Christian spirituality, so that is how he needs to be read. 00:46:36 carolnypaver: Thank you so much, Fr. Ivan. 00:47:46 Sheila Applegate: Of course. In this context. But it still brings out the point you said of, what does it matter if you miss the mark by an inch or a mile. Interesting. 00:48:13 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: The way you phrase the question is western since it is asking for a system. In the East, all sins are confessed as soon as they are unmasked... Ephesians 5:8-14 00:50:30 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: so you confess everything even if it mean repeating from the last confession; see also Ephesians 4:13-17 00:52:52 Fr. John (Ivan) Chirovsky: in the East, we prefer to confess attitudes and directions of the soul (feelings-willings, thoughts, desires) which underly any particular breakings of the laws.... 01:27:33 Sharon: Thank you, Fr. David
Tonight we picked up with Letter 40 - considering again the various causes of spiritual cooling. Theophan begins by discussing a rather chilling thought - the willful falling away from the divine will, in full consciousness and in defiance. We can be overcome by anger, frustration and disappointment in our life to such a degree that we begin to turn away from God; perhaps subtly at first but then in greater measure. If we are not careful we can fall under complete darkness. Therefore, Theophan tells her to avoid this at all cost. She must fear it like fire, like death. He instructs her instead to hold on to her zeal and keep fast to her rule of prayer. She may need to alter it given the circumstances, such as illness. But she is never to let go of her routine even if she receives no consolation. In letter 41, Theophan begins to discuss with her some final considerations before she goes to confession. He begins by dealing with the most familiar of problems - fear. It is this that she must let go of and trusts above all in the mercy in the gentleness of God who waits for her with open arms. The priest is but the witness and the vehicle for healing and forgiveness. Thus, Theophan tells Anastasia to confess more frequently. With this anxiety will diminish. To aid in this process she should write down every one of her sins in order that she is truly confessing what is in her heart and on her conscience. “Don't make the priest ask you”, he tells her. He wants her confession to be as genuine as possible - a reflection of what's going on within her and not prompted by the questions of the priest. Over time she will come to see the deep and grand beauty of the sacrament. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:22:28 Mark Cummings: Not related but Divine Office 2nd reading today is awesome...from On Spiritual Perfection by Diadochus 00:39:55 Mark Cummings: From today's 2nd reading in office of readings...Therefore, we must maintain great stillness of mind, even in the midst of our struggles. We shall then be able to distinguish between the different types of thoughts that come to us: those that are good, those sent by God, we will treasure in memory; those that are evil and inspired by the devil we will reject... 00:45:05 Eric Ash: I also see a greater emphasis in the east on having a spiritual director. It doesn't just fall on an individual's discernment to decide if they are altering their prayer routine to benefit or delude themselves. They take it to their spiritual father that knows their strengths/weaknesses/problems/potential. 00:49:27 Eric Williams: I think St. Philip Neri and others like him in the West would wish that we all would make such faithful, consistent, and humble use of a spiritual director and regular confessor. 01:07:14 Ren Witter: I find that if I do not write things down I am so anxious about remembering everything that I am not really present. Writing it down also allows for much more extensive reflection. 01:16:39 Eric Williams: Who's on first?! 01:17:19 Eric Williams: Talk about being slain in the Spirit! 01:31:03 carolnypaver: At certain times (Jubilee Year) there is a plenary indulgence attached to making a general confession. 01:34:13 Eric Williams: Perhaps scrupulosity was more common when Jansenism was a serious problem. 01:36:29 Eric Williams: Sometimes priests imply or suggest scrupulosity by giving overly simplistic penances. 01:41:40 Mark Cummings: Thank you!
We continued reading Letter 40 on the various causes of spiritual cooling. St. Theophan tells Anastasia that above all she must have an anguished prostration before God acknowledging her weakness of will and her lack of zeal. In fact, she must make this persistent and it will help her walk the straight path in the spiritual life. She should strive never to let her desire for God weaken. Theophan tells her that she must never even let that become an option for her. Rather, Anastasia must hold on to her diligence in the spiritual life and she must come to see prayer as the beating of the heart and breathing keep a person alive. Lacking prayer, the spiritual life ceases to exist. The spirit either dies or it comes to a standstill. This, she must maintain and kind in every possible way - willingness, zeal and diligence. This is the foundation of the spiritual life and it protects it and is its bulwark. The cooling of the spirit is the most bitter of things! ---- Text of chat during the group: 00:48:04 Lisa Weidner: Sister Theres Aletheia Noble 00:48:44 Lisa Weidner: speaks of the precise of remembering one's death- Momento Mori - her web site is https://pursuedbytruth.com/ 01:22:13 Eric Williams: AWESOME book!
Everyday Soul Wellness. Der Podcast für perfektionistische Erfolgsfrauen.
Kennst du das Gefühl, dass du ständig alles "zerdenkst"? Du bist permanent am Grübeln und machst dir Gedanken darüber, ob du gut genug bist? Oder aber du hast Angst davor, was alles passieren könnte in der Zukunft und es fällt dir schwer, Entscheidungen zu treffen? Wie du weniger an dir zweifelst und was dir dabei hilft, lockerer durch den Tag zu gehen erfährst du in dieser Episode! P.S.: Hol dir jetzt den 5-Schritte-Guide "Lass die Grüblern und Zweiflerin hinter dir!" Klicke hier, trag dich meinen Soul-Letter ein und bekomm den Guide als Begrüßung mit dazu: https://bit.ly/30jtgI7 P.P.S.: Bist du schon Mitglied in unserer Facebook-Gruppe "Tschüß Perfektionismus! Hallo ausgeglichenes Leben!"? Falls nein, klicke hier und komm in unsere Gruppe: https://bit.ly/3jfrK13
In this episode I share the steps I took to resign from a job I was no longer happy in to pursue and support my passions.Give this episode a listen to also hear about how I stopped seeking validation from others, and realised what I had to do to make myself happy.Join the Soul Letter mailing list https://thoughtful-teacher-3120.ck.page/592892a17fFind me on the socials:Follow me on instagram https://www.instagram.com/joelynekaranFollow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/joelynekaranDownload your FREE Connect & Trust Affirmations http://www.joelynekaran.com/connect-trust-meditation/
In this episode I talk about a journal entry from November 2017 - 2 years ago!!!⠀⠀I was unhappy and living a life that wasn’t aligned. Waking up each day not looking forward to the day ahead. I was ready to take the much needed steps to reach for my dreams!⠀⠀Listen to this episode to find out what steps I took, and which steps you can take to move towards YOUR dreams!Join the Soul Letter mailing list https://thoughtful-teacher-3120.ck.page/592892a17fFind me on the socials:Follow me on instagram https://www.instagram.com/joelynekaranFollow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/joelynekaranDownload your FREE Connect & Trust Affirmations http://www.joelynekaran.com/connect-trust-meditation/
10 years ago I was feeling deep depression and anxiety. I was stuck in a negative mindset, and had very low self-worth. I was feeling lonely, with an ego that shut me off from connecting to others, and a monotonous routine.Fast-forward to today, I am living a magical life filled with joy and positivity. I have built my self-worth, and using my ongoing experience to help other beautiful souls with what I've learned along the journey.In this episode, I share with you my journey, how I overcame my anxiety and depression, and what I find is the key to manifest an abundant life.I give you an insight on what you can expect from the Connect & Manifest Podcast.Join the Soul Letter mailing list https://thoughtful-teacher-3120.ck.page/592892a17f Find me on the socials:Follow me on instagram https://www.instagram.com/joelynekaranFollow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/joelynekaranDownload your FREE Connect & Trust Affirmations http://www.joelynekaran.com/connect-trust-meditation/
Juliane Richter hat einen Wunsch: Erkenne, dass du ein Geschenk für diese Welt bist. Du bist nicht Deine Essstörung, Du bist nicht diese Gedanken in Deinem Kopf. Du bist ein Wunder und sie hilft Frauen dabei, genau das wieder für sich selbst zu erkennen. Deshalb vertritt sie einen ganzheitlichen Weg aus der Bulimie. Auch heute entwickelt sie sich weiter und holt sich Unterstützung, um weiter zu wachsen. Heilung findet ein Leben lang auf allein Ebenen statt. Auch Du musst nicht Alles alleine mit Dir ausmachen! Im heutigen Interview sprechen Juliane und ich über: wähle einen liebevollen Weg aus deiner Essstörung was entstehen kann, wenn du dich wieder mit dir verbindest Glaubenssätze sind wie Samen, die über die Jahre in dir reifen das Leben ist für dich und schickt dir das , was du brauchst du musst dich selbst verstehen wollen, um weiterzugehen je tiefer du gehst, desto mehr bröckelt deine Kontrolle schaffe dir jeden Tag ein kleines Erfolgserlebnis erinnere dich an deine innere Kraft zurück kümmere dich liebevoll um dich selbst Ein Hoch auf Uns! Deine Kira Hier herunterladen! Links zu Juliane: Mail: hallo@julianerichter.de Website: https://www.julianerichter.de Instagram: @julianerichter.de Podcast: Hungry heart" bei Itunes Mehr SoulFood für Dich? Hier geht’s zu unserer SoulFood Community Bist du bereit für deine Reise zurück zu dir selbst im 1:1 Soul Coaching? Dann schreib mir eine E-Mail an: coaching@kirasiefert.de Den wöchentlichen Soul Letter findest du hier Let’s Connect: @Instagram, @Facebook & @Youtube Danke für deine Bewertung auf iTunes! Gemeinsam können wir ein neues Bewusstsein für Essstörungen erschaffen.
Wir machen heute unsere erste gemeinsame Vollmond Meditation, damit du anfängst, diese Mondphase für dich in deinem Leben zu nutzen. In der Meditation geht es darum, den Vollmond als Quelle für neue Kraft kennenzulernen und zu spüren. Für mich ist diese Nacht meistens von weniger Schlaf als sonst geprägt, ich verbringe mehr Zeit in ganz bewusster Verbindung mit mir selbst, meiner inneren Stimme und lasse auch Dinge oder Menschen in dieser Zeit los. Du kannst nach der Meditation auch einmal verstärkt darauf achten, welches Bedürfnis in dieser Verbindung zur Energie des Vollmond in dir aufkommt. Ich kann dir nur von Herzen empfehlen, diesen Impuls bewusst wahrzunehmen und ihm einfach mal mutig zu folgen. Ohne Erwartung oder ganz genau zu wissen, warum. Deine Intuition braucht keine Begründung oder Erklärung. Sie ist deine innere Stimme, die niemals lügt. Ganz viel Freude mit deiner vielleicht ersten Vollmond Meditation in deinem Leben. ;) Ein Hoch auf Uns! Deine Kira Hier herunterladen! Mehr SoulFood für Dich? Hier geht’s zu unserer SoulFood Community Bist du bereit für deine Reise zurück zu dir selbst im 1:1 Soul Coaching? Dann schreib mir eine E-Mail an: coaching@kirasiefert.de Den wöchentlichen Soul Letter findest du hier Let’s Connect: @Instagram, @Facebook & @Youtube Danke für deine Bewertung auf iTunes! Gemeinsam können wir ein neues Bewusstsein für Essstörungen erschaffen.
Believe you can and you're halfway there! - Walt Disney Mona ist Vollblut-Visionärin und der kreative Kopf von Langhaarmädchen. Während ihrer Zeit als Hair & Make-up Artist in Afrika und Australien, kam ihr die Idee, eine eigene Beauty Brand mit Persönlichkeit zu entwickeln. Julia ist ihre beste Freundin und Macherin. Gemeinsam mit Mona hat sie die Vision von Langhaarmädchen wahr werden lassen. Die beiden Friseurmeisterinnen und Hair & Make-up Artists haben ihren Traum zum Leben erweckt. Mittlerweile ist Langhaarmädchen bereits eine dm-Exklusivmarke. Du hörst in dieser Podcast Folge: welchen Traum Mona und ihre beste Freundin Julia mit Langhaarmädchen realisiert haben und heutzutage leben wie Alles mit der Vorstellung von Mona's Idealfall angefangen hat warum es großartig für dich sein kann, deiner eigenen Begeisterung zu folgen wie du für dich erkennen kannst, was dich tatsächlich und wahrhaftig begeistert durch welche Meilensteine Mona sich zu der Persönlichkeit entwickelt hat, die sie heute ist warum es für dein Leben entscheidend ist, JETZT loszugehen und zu leben welch tiefsinnige Erkenntnis & Bedeutung mit BOP, dem Bus, verbunden ist warum du annehmen solltest, dass du grenzenlos bist, ob du es glaubst oder nicht wie du vom Träumen ins TUN kommst und wahren Erfolg kreierst nimm und erlaub dir Zeit zum Träumen die Kraft von Dankbarkeit SAT NAM! Deine Kira Hier herunterladen! Links von Langhaarmädchen: Website: https://langhaarmaedchen.de Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/langhaarmaedchen/ Bustour-Daten: https://www.dm.de/dm-marken/langhaarmaedchen/bustour/ Alle Produkte: https://www.dm.de/dm-marken/langhaarmaedchen/alle-produkte/ Buchtipp: Die Gesetze der Gewinner von Bodo Schäfer Links von mir für Dich: Im Sommer 2018 startet unser monatliches Workout für deine Seele und inneren Frieden! Hast du Interesse an einem individuellen 1:1 Soul Mentoring? Dann bewirb dich jetzt für ein kostenloses Vorgespräch mit mir persönlich Meinen wöchentlichen Soul Letter findest du auf meiner Website Werde Teil einer unglaublichen Community bei Facebook und tausch dich mit Gleichgesinnten aus Let’s Be Social @Instagram, @Facebook, @Youtube oder @iTunes Danke für deine Bewertung auf iTunes! Gemeinsam können wir alle Menschen, denen das Wissen weiterhelfen kann, erreichen.
Das Wunder ist das äußere Gesicht des Glaubens, der Glaube die innere Seele des Wunders. - Anselm Feuerbach Heute erwartet dich wortwörtlich eine wundervolle Soul Session mit Larissa Hauser. Warum wortwörtlich wundervoll? Weil es in dieser Folge unter anderem darum geht, wie du Wunder in deinem eigenen Leben kreieren und anziehen kannst. "Ayu happy?“ hat Larissa ihr Herzensprojekt genannt, da dir deine Antwort auf diese Frage direkt bewusst macht, ob etwas im Argen ist oder ob du rundum glücklich bist. Du hörst in dieser Podcast Folge: warum du dir regelmäßig die Frage "Ayu Happy?" stellen solltest das oftmals viel mehr in uns steckt als wir denken welche Türen sich öffnen, wenn du auf deine Seele hörst und deinem Herzen folgst das Universum wird dich immer wieder testen und auf die Probe stellen du kannst die für dich passende Stellenanzeige selbst schreiben check mal wieder in deinen Körper ein und spür nach, was du fühlst unsere Seele ist immer neutral, du musst ihr nur zuhören Niemand außer dir selbst weiß, was du brauchst und willst wie du deinen Tag beginnst, so wird auch dein restlicher Tag verlaufen nutze deine Vorstellungskraft, um Wunder in deinem Leben zu manifestieren SAT NAM! Deine Kira Hier herunterladen! Links von Larissa Hauser: Website: http://ayu-happy.de Ayu happy? Podcast: http://ayu-happy.de/podcastfolgen/ Your Miracle Morning: http://ayu-happy.de/anmeldung-yourmiraclemorning/ "Happy in 7 Tagen" E-Book: http://ayu-happy.de/e-book/ Links von mir für Dich: Im Sommer 2018 startet unser monatliches Workout für Dein wahres Selbst! Hast du Interesse an einem individuellen 1:1 Soul Mentoring? Dann bewirb dich jetzt für ein kostenloses Vorgespräch bei Kira Meinen wöchentlichen Soul Letter findest du auf meiner Website Werde Teil einer unglaublichen Community bei Facebook und tausch dich mit Gleichgesinnten aus Let’s Be Social @Instagram, @Facebook, @Youtube oder @iTunes Danke für deine Bewertung auf iTunes! Gemeinsam können wir alle Menschen, denen das Wissen weiterhelfen kann, erreichen.
Wahre Schönheit strahlt von innen heraus. - Mareike Awe Mareike Awe ist Ärztin und hilft Menschen als Gründerin von intueat dabei, ihr Wohlfühlgewicht zu erreichen und sich selbst wieder voll und ganz zu lieben, damit sie ihr Leben in allen Facetten genießen können. Ihre Vision ist es, den Diätwahn in allen deutschsprachigen Ländern zu beenden und dadurch den Diätmarkt zu revolutionieren. Du hörst in dieser Podcast Folge: welches "Warum" Mareike und ihr ganzes Team bei intueat leben und in die Welt tragen was mit Wohlfühlgewicht gemeint ist und wie du dieses für dich erreichen kannst wie Mareike's Geschichte dazu beigetragen hat, das es intueat heutzutage gibt welche Faktoren die Transformation von Mareike angestoßen haben was auch für dich der Schlüssel zu einem entspannten Essverhalten sein kann was ein "intuitives Essverhalten" mit sich bringt welche Methoden und Ansätze im Programm von intueat angewendet werden mit welcher Übung du dich an dein inneres Strahlen erinnern kannst jede Veränderung beginnt im Innen Du bist immer genug! SAT NAM! Deine Kira Hier herunterladen! Links von Mareike Awe: Website: https://www.mareikeawe.de Podcast: https://www.mareikeawe.de/podcast/ intueat - Das Anti-Diät Programm: https://www.intueat.de/programmdetails/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/intueat.de/ Links von mir für Dich: Im Juni 2018 startet unser monatliches Workout für Dein wahres Selbst! Hast du Interesse an einem individuellen Soul Mentorin? Dann bewirb dich jetzt für ein kostenloses Vorgespräch bei mir Meinen wöchentlichen Soul Letter findest du auf meiner Website Werde Teil einer unglaublichen Community bei Facebook und tausch dich mit Gleichgesinnten aus Let’s Be Social @Instagram, @Facebook, @Youtube oder @iTunes Danke für deine Bewertung auf iTunes! Gemeinsam können wir alle Menschen, denen das Wissen weiterhelfen kann, erreichen.
Everyone who wills can hear the inner voice. It is within everyone. - Mahatma Gandhi Feminine Leadership Coach, Spiritual Mentor, Universal Heiler und Host von SoulWave Radio - all das steckt in Kaja Otto. Seit ihrer Kindheit befindet sich Kaja auf ihrer spirituellen Journey durch's Leben und teilt in dieser Soul Session unglaublich wertvolle und praktische Tools mit dir, die du direkt in deinem Leben ausprobieren und mit Kaja's Worten, eine Experience deiner Selbst erleben kannst. Du hörst in dieser Podcast Folge: wer Kaja als Persönlichkeit ist und wie ihr Leben und Job im Moment aussehen das alle Antworten auf deine Fragen in dir liegen warum "eigene Experiences machen" Kaja besonders am Herzen liegen wer die Stimme namens Mindfuck ist und die Stimme deiner Intuition was Kaja mit "Modern Wisdom" verbindet und vermittelt raus aus der Disziplin, rein in die Hingabe: "Was brauche Ich gerade?" befreie dich selbst für all die Menschen, die nach dir kommen das Ego fragt immer nach dem "Wie" und lenkt dich vom "Was" ab das, wogegen du kämpfst, gibst du automatisch Energie das dein Verstand die Zukunft nicht erfassen kann wie du spirituelle Rituale & Zeremonien für dich entdeckst warum und weshalb eine Intention ziellos ist welche Intention Kaja der Welt wünscht die Bedeutung von "Teilen ist heilen" SAT NAM & ein Hoch auf Dich! Deine Kira Hier herunterladen! Links von Kaja Otto: Website: http://kajaotto.com SoulWave Radio: http://kajaotto.com/soulwave-radio/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kajaotto/ Buchtipp: Tao te king: das Buch vom Sinn und Leben Links von mir für Dich: Im Juni 2018 startet unser monatliches Workout für Dein wahres Selbst! Hast du Interesse an einem individuellen Soul Mentorin? Dann bewirb dich jetzt für ein kostenloses Vorgespräch bei mir Meinen wöchentlichen Soul Letter findest du auf meiner Website Werde Teil einer unglaublichen Community bei Facebook und tausch dich mit Gleichgesinnten aus Let’s Be Social @Instagram, @Facebook, @Youtube oder @iTunes Danke für deine Bewertung auf iTunes! Gemeinsam können wir alle Menschen, denen das Wissen weiterhelfen kann, erreichen.
Styles and Mo reveal another Soul Letter and discuss the perception of the Angry Black Woman. Styles gives a soulful Mix to keep you moving! Like us on FaceBook and follow us on Twitter @soulflowradio to stay updated on all things Soul Asylum.
2014 was not the best year ever in my world. It was one of those years that had a lot of painful soul growth experiences. Have I become stronger because of it? YES. Do I have regrets? NO. I am aware that I am here as a soul on this planet at this time to experience, even when those experiences suck. Thankfully, the good experiences help balance the ones that are not so good. So, with all the ups and downs that 2014 brought to all of us, lets bless and release the energies of 2014 to clear the space for 2015. How? I will teach you how to Write a Soul Letter. I challenge all of you to do this, if you feel inclined. I am burning mine on December 31st because that feels right to me personally. Take your time and edit this letter for yourself until you feel that energetic click ( like a puzzle piece going in the correct spot) to know it is done.
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