My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
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THE THREE WAYS OF ATTENTION AND PRAYER (Part III)
By Saint Symeon the New Theologian
[The Third Way of Attention and Prayer]
The Third Way is indeed strange and difficult to explain, whilst, to those who are not aware of it, it is often incomprehensible, appearing unreal and impossible that any such thing can happen. This is because these days the Third Way is not found in many, but rather in very few. As I understand, this virtue abandoned by us together with obedience, since it is the obedience one shows to his spiritual father which makes one truly free, leaving all the cares to him and staying away from the struggles of this world, whilst being a diligent artisan of this third way. (That is if one finds a real spiritual father who has no error!) Thus he who dedicates himself and all the care to God and the spiritual father, by real obedience is no longer living his own life where he does his own wishes but is free from any struggle of the world or his body. By what ephemeral thing then, can this person ever be spiritually defeated or enslaved, or what care or concern could he ever have? It is therefore in this way, together with obedience, that the devices and machinations of the demons to distract the mind towards many and various thoughts are all defeated and dissolved. One's mind then stays free, and has plenty of space and chance to examine the thoughts brought by the demons, having greater dexterity to expel them and offer his prayers to God with a clean heart. This is the beginning of the True way of life and those who do not make such a start are struggling in vain, even without knowing it.
The beginning of the Third Way is not by looking up to the sky, raising the hands, having your mind in heaven, and asking for help from there. As we have said, these are of the first way and they are false. Nor is it to guard the senses with the mind and concentrate exclusively on this, whilst neither being attentive nor seeing the inner wars of the soul conducted by the enemies (demons). These are all of the Second Way. He who uses them is trapped by the demons and is unable to revenge those who trapped him, whilst the enemies (demons) are always fighting him both secretly and openly, making proud and vain.
But you, my friend, if you seek your salvation you should start in this way: after the perfect obedience which we said you should have to you spiritual father, you should then conduct all your deeds with a clear conscience, as if you had God in front of you, for conscience can never be clear without obedience. You should keep your conscience clear towards these things: God, spiritual father, other people, and earthly things. Toward God, it is an obligation to keep your conscience clear avoiding the things you are aware that He neither likes nor give Him any joy. Towards your living according to His plan and wish. As for the other people, you should keep your conscience clear by not doing to them any of the things you hate and do not wish them to do to you. Towards the earthly it is your obligation to restrain yourself from abuses, using them all appropriately, food as well as drinking and clothes. In short, you should do everything as if you had God in front of you, making sure that your conscience does not restrain nor condemn you for not doing something right. This is the beginning of the True and firm route of the Third Way of Attention and Prayer.
"...In short, he who is not attentive to guard his mind cannot be cleansed in his heart and be therefore worthy to see God. He who is not attentive can never be poor in spirit nor can he ever mourn and cry, or become gentle and peaceful, or hunger and thirst for justice, or become merciful, peacemaker, or persecuted in the cause of right. {Matthew 5:3-10) It is quite impossible to acquire any virtue by any means other than attention. It is attention that you should mostly take care of, to be able then to understand the things I am saying. (Source: Myriobiblos. On Line-Library of the Church of Greece)
(To be continued)
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostom
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George