Духовная жизнь

Yesterday I opened the book of St. Demetrius of Rostov, and a place opened where it was said: “Where there is love, there is God; where there is truth, there is God; where there is a chaste, pure and immaculate life, and there is God. Where this is not there, there is no God.” Let us remember this and let us hold on to the presence of God with us, avoiding in every possible way what is contrary and displeasing to God (2, part 1, p. 35). Man is like a bug. When it’s a warm day and the sun is shining, he flies, is proud of himself and buzzes: “All my forests, all my meadows! All my meadows, all my forests! And as soon as the sun disappears, the cold breathes and the wind starts blowing, the beetle forgets its prowess, clings to the leaf and only squeaks: “Don’t push me away!” (1, part 1, p. 99). It is likened to a rather deep ditch, which in rainy times fills up so much that there is no crossing, but at other times it dries up so that no water flows through it. The Holy Fathers boast of a life that flows like a small stream, constantly flowing and never drying up. This stream is convenient, firstly, for crossing, and secondly, it is pleasant and useful to everyone passing by, because its water is suitable for drinking, since it flows quietly and therefore is never muddy. You have always had a noticeable desire only to fulfill the prayer rule, and to fulfill the commandments of God, called small by the Lord, you lacked the desire, zeal, compulsion, and attention, and the first without the second is never strong (2, part 2, p. 75). In every abiding, try to abide pleasingly, i.e. in a peaceful and humble spirit, do not judge anyone and do not annoy anyone, trying so that our word, according to the apostolic commandment, is dissolved with spiritual salt (2, part 3, p. 140). ...Don’t be like a bothersome fly, which sometimes flies around uselessly, and sometimes bites and annoys both of them, but be like a wise bee, which diligently began its work in the spring and by autumn has finished its honeycomb, which is as good as correctly written notes. One is sweet, and the other is pleasant... (2, part 1, p. 40). ...You describe how unpleasant traveling by rail was for you and how you managed to get rid of annoying conversations. And the apostolic word came true: If any of you wants to be wise... let him be foolish in order to be wise (see 1 Cor. 3:18). It bothers you that you had to turn to this remedy in the church of St. Sergius. But the Lord does not look at our external actions, but at our intentions, why we act one way or another, and if the intention is good, according to God, then we can be at peace. Therefore, others should not be judged in any case: we see only external actions, and the innermost motives and intentions by which these actions will be judged are known to the One Heart-Seer, God (2, part 3, p. 133). You are now in the middle, between the world and monasticism. But the average measure is approved everywhere and in everything, and for you, due to your upbringing and poor health, it is in many ways decent; just try to live according to the Gospel commandments of the Lord and, above all, not judge anyone about anything, so that you yourself may be unjudged (2, part 1, p. 26). Be smart. Humble yourself. Don't judge others. Judge not, lest ye be judged (Matthew 7:1) (1, part 2, p. 74). Every thing and deed is not accomplished suddenly, but little by little, with effort and attention, and sometimes coercion, and with mistakes and troubles, which will all pass over time, but the deed will remain and delight the person (13, p. 412). Whoever wants to listen to himself must read this book carefully 34, sit at home more, look around less, not walk around his cells and not bring guests to his place; do not condemn others, but groan about your sins to the Lord God in order to receive God’s mercy (3, pp. 229–230). ...In spiritual life, it is a very good thing to explain yourself prudently in time, to ask for forgiveness in time, in order to pacify your soul and give others a reason to do the same. It is not in vain that it is said in the psalms: Seek peace and strive for it (Ps. 33:15) (2, part 2, pp. 78–79). The priest wrote on the book of St. Barsanuphius the Great and John the Prophet. You might be interested in: