Безмолвие

In your last letter you write about extreme silence and solitude. To this I will tell you that every thing is not done suddenly, but gradually, since silence and solitude cannot be learned suddenly, but great gradualness is needed. First of all, know that, according to the word of Saint Climacus, bodily silence means orderliness of bodily feelings, i.e. eyes, hearing and tongue, as well as the belly, and inner silence consists in the orderliness of thoughts, in order to reject not only passionate thoughts, but also angry and judgmental, equally vain and suspicious. With God's help, you need to start with prudent silence. Answer questions briefly and meekly, as needed; do not walk around cells unnecessarily and do not talk about unnecessary things; where you have to be, especially beware of judging and condemning, if only not to annoy anyone in any way. And if, out of weakness, out of old habit, you sin in some way and make a mistake, bring repentance for this first before God, and then before your spiritual father (9, p. 430). You still keep delirious in silence, not realizing that the seduction of the enemy surrounds and pursues you. On August 11th you felt a fragrance in your cell. Is this not an obvious deception, which was shown to you in the writings of Simeon the New Theologian. The next day you felt strong fear in the evening in your cell. This is a consequence of the tempting fragrance and clear proof that you were inclined to accept it as correct. Further, in the midst of fear, the suggestion to read the 12 psalms and at the beginning of reading in the thought of the word “fool” are filled with great temptation and danger, especially the suggestion to go to the chapel at the cemetery at night and pray there. God saved you because you couldn’t go there because of your bodily weakness: it would not have been surprising for you to have been damaged in your mind from fear if the Lord had not preserved you by allowing bodily weakness and relaxation; know that only the perfect live by mental suggestions, and then with reasoning and great consideration. But the beginners and the weak and the passionate must live under the rule and pray the blessed prayer. When they announce the gospel for Vespers or some other service, there is no need for you to debate whether you should read a book or go to the service, but simply, if you are not sick, go and pray in church and endure the shocks in church and in obedience, so that there are no mental bedsores. Do not consider your desire for silence to be an inspiration from God. Saint Isaac the Syrian in the 30th Word says: “Not every good desire flows into the heart of a person from God, only one that benefits 1; something similar comes from the devil, only it is not useful, since he invests everything either prematurely and beyond his strength, or with arrogance and vanity” (2, part 2, p. 111). ...I received news that you are going to N., probably to set up a silent cell for yourself, and maybe for other reasons. While you are in silence and in silence, do not forget me, a sinner, and pray for me, ever in the midst of the turmoil that exists, and especially in times of bodily weakness - you yourself know how inconvenient this is, from your own experience. But what to do? There is a wise old word from experienced people: “Don’t live as you want, but live as God leads.” The Lord knows better than we do what is more useful for us, and what we can contain and what we cannot contain. I especially think about myself that I am incapable of silence. There are few such blessed people who, being always on a journey and not having anywhere to lay their heads 2, according to the Gospel word, observe deep silence and are not indignant at any cramps and needs, nor bonds, nor prison, and thirst for sorrows and suffering, and complain as if they have nothing to endure. I am a sinner, and being in great consolation, I relax and have no patience. Pray for me, that the Lord will raise me up, according to the message of 3 destinies, to true repentance and proper preparation for the future life. This age passes, but the word of the Lord remains forever (2, part 2, p. 132). You write that you have been entrusted with writing in the monastery and that as a result of this you have fallen behind in prayer, but you would like to be always in prayer or in contemplation of God. You take it high, very high! There is a proverb: “Sit lower, otherwise you will get angry.” I already wrote to you that when you are busy with something, there will be less mental confusion. You agree with this that this is true, and then you contradict yourself that you need the privacy and silence of your cell. But I forgot what kind of abuse I felt in your solitude at the Lavra (2, part 3, p. 99). I told you and I repeat again: do not rush to tell everyone prematurely about your intentions, and especially do not rush to give up the kitchen, the basement and the backyard. Now it seems you don’t need this, but I’ll tell you that in time it will be very necessary. Not from above and from the clouds will firewood fall towards you and water will flow, but you will have to carry all this from below. If you are looking for a silent life, then you should protect yourself on all sides, so that there is no reason for embarrassment when you now foolishly refuse what will later be required and will be necessary (9, p. 430). Beneficial. – Here and further approx. ed. Bow your head (see: Matthew 8:20). You might be interested in: