Слово 19. О сне, о молитве и псалмопении в соборе братий

1. Sleep is a certain property of nature, an image of death, inaction of the senses. The dream itself is the same; but it, like lust, has many causes: it comes from nature, from food, from demons, and, perhaps, from excessive and prolonged fasting, when the exhausted flesh wants to strengthen itself with sleep. 2. Just as drinking a lot depends on your habit, so does sleeping a lot. That is why we must, especially at the beginning of our struggle, strive against sleep; for it is difficult to heal an old habit. 3. Let us begin to observe and find that when, at the sound of the spiritual trumpet (bell), the brethren are apparently gathering, spiritual enemies are invisibly flocking together. They come to the bed when we got up, and encourage us to lie down on it again, saying: “Wait until the initial songs are over, and then you will go to church.” Others attending the prayer are put to sleep. Others produce strong and untimely movements in the abdomen. Others encourage people to start conversations in church. Others distract our mind into bad thoughts. Others force us to lean against the wall as if exhausted, and sometimes cause us to yawn very frequently. Some people arouse laughter in us during prayer in order to incite God to be indignant with us. Others encourage us to rush into psalmody out of laziness. Others urge to sing more slowly out of self-pleasure; and sometimes they sit by our lips and shut them up, so that we can hardly open them. 4. But whoever in the feeling of his heart thinks that he stands before God will be like an immovable pillar in prayer, and will not be mocked by anything that has been said before. 5. Often a true novice, having stood in prayer, is suddenly filled with light and joy; because this ascetic was prepared for this and was purified by 61 unhypocritical obedience. 6. Everyone can pray with many brothers; but for many it is more decent to pray with one brother of one accord; for there are few who can pray in private 7. Singing with a multitude, you will not be able to pray immaterially. While reading and singing, let your mind be occupied with understanding the words you hear or with a specific prayer, in anticipation of the next verse. 8. No one should engage in handicrafts, and especially work, during prayer. An Angel gave clear instructions about this to the great Anthony 62. 9. Gold is tempted in the crucible, and standing in prayer tempts the zeal and love of God in monks. He who has acquired the meritorious work of prayer draws closer to God and avoids demons. In Slavic translation: “pre-tempted.” In another translation, “pre-kindled.” “An angel, having once appeared to Anthony the Great, clearly showed that a monk should never engage in any activity during prayer. For the reverend father did not see him praying and at the same time doing needlework; but I saw that he either sat down and did needlework, then left needlework and got up to pray. This Angel was sent from God to Saint Anthony to teach him how he should act and how he should live in order to be saved. That's why the Angel said to him: “Do this, and you will be saved.” Elijah of Crete (PG 88) You might be interested in: