ВНИМАНИЕ

(see also: Jesus Prayer). Headache is a common initial accompaniment of deep attention to the Word of God and prayer. “For the Word of God is living,” says the Apostle, “and is active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, members and marrow, and is capable of judging the mind and the thoughts of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). Not only does it hurt you, not only did it hurt me, it hurt the Holy Fathers, and they put it in their writings. The Monk Gregory of Sinai says: “And having experienced pain and headaches many times, endure it more laboriously and diligently, seeking the Lord in your heart.” At times, from exercising in prayer, there is relaxation of the whole body, sweat, fever; all this is for beginners; Among the successful, prayer strengthens and nourishes the soul and body. But even they sweat. However, you have been taught the easiest way of attention and prayerful feat, alien to any difficult mechanical bodily exercise, for which good health is necessary. Pay as little attention as possible to the little things, to all the sensations in your body, make sure that your mind remains in repentance and moves away from entertainment. I hope your headaches won't last long. And mine didn't last long. After they passed, the activity of prayer became, as it were, more natural to the mind and easier for it. When praying, do not demand from your mind anything that exceeds its strength, for example, indestructible, complete non-distraction. Mentally show your weakness and old age to God, saying: “Lord! You see all my old age!”, and, enduring, generously endure the weakness of your mind. It is not in vain and not without purpose that it is said: “I have endured the Lord, and heard my prayer, and brought me up from the pit of passions and from the clay of the mire, and set my nose on stones and straightened my steps: and put a new song in my mouth” (Ps. 39:2-4). 158. You might be interested in: