Беседа 22. Об изменении образа жизни: каким образом один образ жизни заменяется с божественной целью 961 на другой. И как и каким образом преуспевшие заменяют один образ жизни на другой, высший. И в какой степени заменяют они его, а в какой пользоваться им. И на другие темы.

1. You should also know this: the work for the initial, intermediate and final degrees is not the same in method and purpose. The initial stage is work with much prayer and is only the mortification of the body through intense fasting. 2. At an intermediate degree, these decrease, 962 and diligence in them is replaced by in others, the work of reading and especially kneeling. 3. In the third degree, 963 zeal in what relates to the previous one decreases, working in meditation and prayer of the heart. 4. It is not that at each of these degrees the work of the previous one is completely abandoned, but the method and purpose are changed: zeal in them is measured according to the differences that are characteristic of them, and according to their taste; and from the external they move to the internal. 965 5. Listen to how this happens: the middle degree includes psalmody and the work of fasting; but this is no longer without prudence or inconsistent, as with the rank of novices. 6. In the same way, even at the 966th degree of perfection, reading, the work of kneeling and psalmody remain, but more important than these are constant meditation on the economy and secret prayer, since there is no need for a large amount of the above-mentioned and since, having practiced this only for a very short time, a person is caught up in amazement and remains in it. In the same way, a short reading of Scripture and the service of Psalms 967 is sufficient for him. Such people do not work much at this, because the very moment they begin psalms or prayer, they are captivated by others who surpass all local knowledge: their mind is not allowed to linger in this for long. 7. These are the changes and changes that the Holy Fathers talk about, that they exist on the path of virtue. 969 8. By "change" 970 they mean a change in the purposes and modes of the works of knowledge, as shown above. 9 . Under “changes” 971 are types of struggles and the assistance of grace, - at all times with hermits thriving in silence, 972 - as well as changes in the actions of the Holy Spirit and various consolations that are sent from God to the saints. Var. "with divine intent." Lit. "The middle top reduces them." Lit. "The third peak reduces." Lit. “from their external simplicity they move inward.” Lit. "a little scripture and a service of psalms." Wed. Abba Isaiah. Word 24.1 (“On dispassion”): “On the path of virtues there are falls, for there are enemies, there are changes, there is change...” Sire. hulapa means "exchange", "replacement", "change". Sire. (uhlapa means “change”, “difference”. Lit. "on their path, which is silent." You might be interested in: