St. Theophanes the Recluse has addressed this issue in a match he had with a young woman who wanted to live a spiritual life, but felt hampered by the precipitation and distraction of life. She saw the world as a place where " everyone rushes in all directions as in a fit of anger, in pursuit of something that nobody can ever get." That's what she tells : " I could not see anything that could come from the soul. There are hugs empty, a disposition to do things for each other, and also mutual admiration. Everything is superficial ... Under the appearance hides a very different spirit .... What comedy. ... They bind, and force themselves to bully each other, nobody has his own will or any freedom. "
St. Theophanes has confirmed these observations on the nature of this life and he responded by quoting St. Macarius the Great.
" Children this age have become such wheat poured into the sieve of this land, and then dispersed among the dreams of this inconstant world, surrounded by endless unrest related to earthly concerns, desires and maze of hardware concepts. Satan shakes souls, and with a sieve, ie the cares of the world, it disperses the whole sinful human race. "
St. Macarius uses the image of an agricultural sieve where the grain is cast to show us how our earthly cares, our dreams and desires are the same for us, they randomly throw around. We are projected by our physical desires and thoughts scattered like grains of wheat are tossed in a sieve. We are constantly in motion, always involved in a turmoil uncertain. All this busyness that we experience is an endless quest to satisfy earthly desires which can never be fully satisfied. Underlying all this is our pride.
Saint Theophanes also said
" No matter how we hide his desires behind them is selfishness, which means you twist to its needs, or use you as an average. The goal is a trick ... everyone retreats into his own shell, unable to produce any heat. "
Such is the nature of life on earth. She continues to challenge us, drawing us into the next life drama. We often feel like a seed solitary, with no real friends or relationships to console us. Sometimes one finds an earthly comfort, but soon it turns into a disappointment. If it is not in our relations, we find it in our well-being with physical illness or accident. What does all this, they cried! What should we do?
Saint Theophanes said:
" you are, of course, impossible to escape everyone as much as possible but refuse to enter this circle of a worldly life. When he pulls you against your will, act as if you were not there, look but do not pay attention, listen but be deaf .... Outwardly, behave like everyone else, be simple and sincere, but you protect sympathies and attractions. "
can evaluate our business by recognizing that we are made up of several aspects and that all these must be moving at the same time. We have all the bodily needs that must be met: there is also the actions of the soul with the intelligence that continuously monitors, which means our will to choose freely, and our heart that seeks harmony, and we have in mind with his desire for what is good and beautiful.
All this must be together to live together as planned, Saint Theophanes says about this:
" Only when all our energies are in motion and that all our needs are met that man lives. But when only a small part of his energy is moving, and only a few of his needs are met, this life is not life. Everything works together as a unit. "
All aspects of your being must be considered in worldly activities. Examine your activities and evaluate how the body, mind and spirit are engaged. Is the activity ensures that your physical needs are taken into account properly, without excess, but only to a degree necessary for your well-being. Is it your understanding that your focused, remained clear, controlling your thoughts so that they are rational and seek the highest level of understanding. Is that your will is engaged in self-limitation vis-à-vis the excessive desires, and your heart is there with a sense of calm and harmony? Finally, do what your mind is mobilized and vigilant against any of you are doing so that you remain in the activity directed towards what is good in the eyes of God? If any aspect of your being is cantilevered, so you can say that this activity is not good for you spiritually.
(Quotes Spiritual life , Letter 4, 39-42, St. Theophanes the Recluse)
0 comments:
Post a Comment