Seven Elder Siluan’s Counsels on Dealing with Evil and Obsessive Thoughtstranslated

Every person knows what obsessive thoughts are. They live their own lives: they come unexpectedly and return again and again, robbing us of inner peace and tranquility. What should we do? Elder Siluan the Athonite advises.

1. Do not think that every evil thought makes you a bad person.

The Elder writes: "As people enter and leave a house, so thoughts come and may again depart if you do not receive them." In other words, the appearance of an evil thought does not mean that you are a bad person or the last sinner. The main thing is how you behave afterward: whether you accept it, engage in dialogue with it, or simply allow it to leave.

2. Do not argue with evil thoughts; instead, immediately cut them off.

Elder Siluan advises developing the skill of not lingering on a bad thought. "Train yourself to cut off thoughts immediately. And if you forget and do not drive them away at once, bring repentance." The longer a person dwells on an evil thought, the more it takes root in him.

3. Do not exalt or despair.

The Holy One warns against two equally dangerous thoughts: "One says: You are holy. Another: You will not be saved. Both these thoughts come from the enemy." And…