Письмо 163

You write that you were at peace, but after some incidents you were outraged; - so this is not peace that you were outraged, not by people, not by events, but by your unconquered passions: conceit, love of fame, vanity, anger, rage and others. Is this really peace when no one bothers us? But even if no one touched it, the passions themselves, having become indignant, will not give rest. But passions are conquered and destroyed, with God’s help, by our feat when they touch us and show them to us; the heart will be touched, confused, and we think that we were embarrassed because people touched us; but no, people only showed us, by the command of God, that passion lies within us, and that we try to destroy it: with patience, self-reproach and humility. In relation to temptations through N. one must have courage and patience; and for humiliation from them self-reproach and humility, with passion stirred up; Thus, with time, feat, labor and God's help, the passions will become exhausted. Against... passion is another matter: here it is necessary to move away from cases and objects that arouse passion and to move against the thoughts and rebellion of passion, calling on God’s help. What kind of meager mind do you have? She asked God and prayed, but God did not turn them away: with God there is no unrighteousness; He knows what is good for whom, and sends temptations to our patience and humility. They will complain about you and will not embarrass you, and then you will calm down. You get bored reading the Philokalia: of course, it is not yet suitable for your mind and structure, although the book is good and teaches inner work; You can read it, but not everything is still clear to you; read while St. John Climacus, Abba Dorotheus, St. Barsanuphia; Yes, having read, understand, and force yourself to do; how they teach to be humble, patient, meek, etc.; in the Philokalia there is even more complete teaching about this. Mnogohreshny I.M. January 8, 1855. You might be interested in: