Keep a careful watch over yourself, and do not allow yourself to be swept away by external obsessions. The tumultuous movements of the soul, in particular, can be rendered quiet by stillness (hesychia). If, however, you keep encouraging and stimulating them, they will start to terrorize you, and can disorder your whole life. Once they are in control, it is as hard to heal them as it is to soothe a sore that we cannot stop scratching.- Abba Philemon Directions: Repeat this until you stop obsessing about the president, economy, HDTV and drill presses. (HT: Mind in the Heart) … Read entire article »

One day blessed Theophilus the archbishop came to the mountain of Nitria and the abba of the mountain came to meet him. The archbishop said to him, “Father, in this way of life which you follow, what do you find to be best?” The old man said to him, “The act of accusing myself, and of constantly reproaching myself to myself.” Abba Theophilus said to him, “There is no other way but this.” Sayings. Theophilus the Archbishop. 1 … Read entire article »

[Bishop Epiphanius] said, “God remits the debts of sinners who are penitent, for example, the sinful woman and the publican, but of the righteous man he even asks interest. This is what he says to his apostles, ‘Except your righteousness exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” Sayings. Epiphanius. 15 … Read entire article »

[Abba Cassian] also said, “There was a distinguished official who had renounced everything and distributed his goods to the poor/ He kept a little bit for his persona; use beacuse he did not want to accept the humiliation that comes from total renunciation, nor did he sincerely want to submit to the rule of the monastery. Saint Basil said to him, ‘You have lost your senatorial rank without becoming a monk.’” Sayings. Cassian 7 Note: This saying applies to us when we commit half-heartedly to our vocation or any other holy calling. But it also applies to the sinner who might “cut back” on certain sins, but not repent whole-heartedly. The effect of this is all loss and no gain, so to speak. … Read entire article »

Abba Copres said, “Blessed is he who bears affliction with thankfulness.” Sayings. Copres, 1 … Read entire article »

Abba Gerontius of Petra said that many, tempted by the pleasures of the body, commit fornication, not in their body but in their spirit, and while preserving their bodily virginity, commit prostitution in their soul. “Thus it is good, my well-beloved, to do that which is written, and for each one to guard his own heart with all possible care.” (Prov. 4:23) Sayings. Gerontius, 1. … Read entire article »

Abba Ammonas was asked, “What is the ‘narrow and hard way?’” (Matt. 7:14) He replied, “The ‘narrow and hard way’ is this, to control your thoughts, and to strip yourself of your own will, for the sake of God. This is also the meaning of the sentence, ‘Lo, we have left everything and followed you.’” (Matt. 19:27) Sayings. Ammonas. 11 … Read entire article »

One day when [Abba John the Dwarf] was sitting in front of the church, the brethren were consulting him about their thoughts. One of te old men who aw it became a prey for jealousy and said to him, “John, your vessel is full of poison.” Abba John said to him, “That is very true, abba; and you have said that when you only see the outside, but if you were able to see the inside, too, what would you say then?” Sayings. John the Dwarf. 8 … Read entire article »