Step 19 On sleep, prayer, and psalm-singing in chapel. 1. Sleep is a particular state of nature, an image of death, inactivity of the senses. Sleep is one, but, like desire, its sources and occasions are many: that is to say, it comes from nature, from food, from demons, or perhaps, sometimes, from extreme and prolonged fasting, through which the flesh is weakened and at last longs for the consolation of sleep. 2. Just as prolonged drinking is a matter of habit, so too from habit comes too much sleeping. Therefore we must struggle with the question of sleep, especially in the easy days of obedience, because a long-standing habit is difficult to cure. 3. Let us observe and we shall find that the spiritual trumpet2 serves as an outward signal for the gathering of the brethren, but it is also the unseen signal for the assembly of our foes. So some of them stand by our bed and when we get up urge us to lie down again: ‘Wait,’ they say, ‘till the preliminary hymns are finished; then you can go to church.’ Others plunge those standing at prayer into sleep. Some produce severe, unusual pains in the stomach. Others egg us on to make conversation in church. 1 Some manuscripts reverse these last two sentences. 2 I.e. the gong or bell, often of wood; horns and drums of various kinds were also used. 70 Some entice the mind to shameful thoughts. Others make us lean against the wall as though from fatigue. Sometimes they involve us in fits of yawning. Some of them bring on waves of laughter during prayer, thereby desiring to stir up the anger of God against us. Some force us to hurry the reading or singing—merely from laziness; others suggest that we should sing more slowly for the pleasure of it; and sometimes they sit at our mouths and shut them, so that we can scarcely open them. He who realizes that he is standing before God will be as still as a pillar during prayer and will pray with heartfelt feeling; and none of the aforesaid demons will make sport of him. 4. The really obedient man often suddenly becomes radiant and exultant during prayer; for this wrestler was prepared and fired beforehand by his sincere service. 5. It is possible for all to pray with a congregation; for many it is beneficial to pray with a single kindred spirit; solitary prayer is for the very few. 6. In singing with many it is impossible to pray with the wordless prayer of the spirit. But your mind should be engaged in contemplation of the words being chanted or read, or you should say some definite prayer while you are waiting for the alternate verse to be chanted. 7. It is not proper for anyone to engage in any accessory work, or rather distraction, during the time of prayer. For the angel who attended Antony the Great taught him this clearly. 8. Just as a furnace tests gold, so the practice of prayer tests the monk’s zeal and love for God. A praiseworthy work—he who makes it his own draws near to God and expels demons.
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Step 6 On remembrance of death. 1. Every word is preceded by thought. And the remembrance of death and sins precedes weeping and mourning. ...
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Step 23 On mad2 pride, and, in the same Step, on unclean blasphemous thoughts. 1. Pride is denial of God, an invention of the devil, the de...
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THE LADDER OF DIVINE ASCENT St. John Climacus Translated by Archimandrite Lazarus Moore (Harper & Brothers, 1959) An Ascetic Treatise b...
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Step 29 Concerning heaven on earth, or godlike dispassion and perfection, and the resurrection of the soul before the general resurrection....
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Step 3 On exile or pilgrimage2 1. Exile means that we leave forever everything in our own country that prevents us from reaching the goal o...
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Step 12 On lying. 1. The offspring of flint and steel is fire; and the offspring of chatter and joking is lying. 2. A lie is the destructio...
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Step 20 On bodily vigil and how to use it to attain spiritual vigil and how to practise it. 1. Some stand before earthly kings without weap...
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Step 26 On discernment of thoughts, passions and virtues 1. Discernment in beginners is true knowledge of themselves; in intermediate souls...
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Step 13 On despondency. 1 1. As we have already frequently said, this—we mean despondency—is very often one of the branches of talkativenes...
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Step 15 On incorruptible purity and chastity to which the corruptible attain by toil and sweat.2 Foreword We have heard from that raving mi...
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