Глава XXVII. Уроки святых отцов наших и учителей

1. Always have your mind before God - whether you are sleeping or awake, eating food or talking, whether you are doing handicrafts or doing anything else - according to the word of Scripture: I have seen the Lord before me (Ps. 15:8), but at the same time consider yourself the most sinful of any man. The unceasing memory of God illuminates the mind like a ray, and the more you remain in it with all your attention and sober thought, with difficulty and tears, the more your mind will be purified; the more it is purified, the more it brightens; the more you brighten, the more you become godlike, shining and distinguishing good from bad. However, brother, great work and God’s help are required for this memory to dwell in your soul and illuminate it, like the moon in the darkness of the night. 2. We must listen to the excuses of thoughts of vanity and conceit, so as not to condemn anyone, even if he does something inappropriate, for demons, seeing that the soul, through the infusion of grace and a peaceful dispensation, has rejected vanity and passion, usually attack it with such excuses: that help is not from the Lord. 3. Cry day and night and never know the satiety of your tears. Be careful not to lose inner consolation and contrition by dreaming that you have them from your own labor, and not from the grace of God. As soon as you think so, they will be taken from you, and then you will look for them in your soul much later and will not find them until you realize that you have ruined this gift by appropriating someone else’s. But, Lord! May we not be deprived of Your grace! However, brother, if anything happens to you, cast your weakness on the Lord and, rising up, stretch out your hands to Him and pray to Him, saying this: Lord! Have mercy on me, a sinner, and send me Thy grace and do not allow me to be tempted more than I can. See, Lord, into what relaxation and what darkness of thoughts my sins have plunged me! If I say that I suffered from demons, having lost Your consolation, I would be lying, for You know, Lord, that those who diligently carry out Your will in everything resist them with courage. But I, fulfilling their will in everything, how can I say that we are being tempted by them? Therefore, do not leave prayer even for one hour while there is breath in you, and it will soon restore you with the assistance of God’s grace. You might be interested in: