Way of the Ascetics, by Tito Colliander

[Olympiada]

I would like to know if anyone would like to discuss this book. The chapter that speaks to me today is Chapter 5, On the Denial of Self and the Cleansing of the Heart.

[Theopesta]

dear olympiada,
I am not know this book before, for whom of fathers this book?
if you mean the book which its breif essy here:
[www.monachos.net/monasticism/ascetic.shtml (http://www.monachos.net/monasticism/ascetic.shtml)]
if you please can you write to me the isbn,
any way I will be enjoyed in reading what you will write
many thanks,
in one christ, theopesta

[Theopesta]

excuse me are this you mean:
[www.stvladimirs.ca/library/way-ascetics-five.html (http://www.stvladimirs.ca/library/way-ascetics-five.html)]

[Olympiada]

> dear olympiada, > I am not know this book before, for whom of fathers this book? > if you mean the book which its breif essy here: > [ www.monachos.net/monasticism/ascetic.shtml (http://www.monachos.net/monasticism/ascetic.shtml) > ] > if you please can you write to me the isbn, > any way I will be enjoyed in reading what you will write > many thanks, > in one christ, theopesta > > > Dear Theopesta > I hope this comes out correctly. The ISBN number is 0-88141-049-7. I checked > that brief essay. It did not match up with any of the chapters in the book. > Yours in Christ > Olympiada

[Olympiada]

> Yes this is the one. Did I reply correctly? > In Christ > Olympiada

[Baroness]

This is another good book. I have it read it a couple of times. And just looked at the above website link too again. It is a compelling chapter and really pierces the heart.

Just reading the following "If you wish to set yourself free from a great suffering, crush the small desires, say the holy Fathers." I have to agree - this is true. To accomplish to get rid of the big sins, start with the small. It may seem insignificant, but when you start praying to be free of the smaller sins, God will help you.

Reading that particular quote also reminded me - simply start small in whatever you do. Like in your personal prayers, if you're not used to it, it's probably better not to do the bigger prayers because sometimes your mind will start to wander, or whatever. Just simply start with the small and MEAN what you say. That's more important for us, and to God when we mean what we say. Then start working towards the bigger things.

[Owen Jones]

Not to diminish the role of prayer in calling on God's power to change, but the Fathers are referring here to virtuous actions. A good starting point is to restraining one's thoughts, and then move to restraining the tongue, because all lashing out with the tongue is precipitated by an angry thought about something. Try going a day monitoring all negative thoughts about other people, and ask God to cast them out. All of them. Every one.

[Baroness]

I know this doesn't refer to the role of prayer here, I was just saying that that particular quote brought to my mind prayer, and how we can begin small etc.

[Antonios]

Thank you Olympiada for reminding me about this excellent piece of writing- I haven't stopped re-reading it since you mentioned it! Especially important since the Nativity fast is soon approaching.

Also Baroness and Owen, both of you made some very important comments about this particular chapter. Very much appreciated. Especially, Owen, about your comments regarding attentiveness, watchfulness, or guarding of the heart (whichever way you would like to call it). This is so difficult to achieve and even more so to maintain, but from what the Holy Fathers tell us, it is the most trusted way in growing in communion with God.

I wish everyone well this Nativity Fast. I know I'm better prepared now after re-reading this most humbling and informative writing.

in humility and love,
Antonios

[Olympiada]

> [Yes a prayer rule is the first step. So one can not restrain their own > thoughts, they must ask God to do that. How does one restrain one=B9s thoug= hts > against one=B9s persecutors? Against those who one desires vengeance? I am = glad > you responded Owen because the first response dismayed. It is not about a > prayer rule any more, it is about this next step of restraining one=B9s > thoughts. May God help us all.]

[Olympiada]

> [Some of us are past the beginning stages of prayer. Let us not assume th= at we > are all beginners on this forum. That will turn some people off to this > discussion. I know it did me. Let us not try to act like we are all begin= ners > in the prayer life for we all are not. ]

[Tim Grass]

Everyone is always a beginner in prayer.

There is no other way forward except this mindset.

--tim

[M.C. Steenberg]

Dear all,

The Way of the Ascetics is a book I have often heard called the 'Philokalia for beginners' -- a nice title, save that it's still rather advanced. http://www.monachos.net/mb/clipart/happy.gif But Owen's point is worth reading again: it's sometimes easy to read such a text and assume it's 'all about prayer'; when more fundamentally it is all about life as a whole.

INXC, Matthew

[Olympiada]

> Speaking of the Philokalia, I have a blessing from my godfather to read t= his > advanced text. If anyone else is similarly blessed and would like to disc= uss > the Philokalia, please let me know.

[Baroness]

Dear all,

Just want to apologise if I have lead any of you away from the topic. I simply mentioned prayer as I was reminded of it when reading the above text, but also as I am currently reading "The Prayer of the Heart" by St Ignatius Brianchaninov. I did not want to take focus and discussion off the "Way of the Ascetics" - this is a deep and helpful book to read, but it not is not solely about prayer. I did not want to give the wrong impression. Please forgive me if I have offended or upset anyone for my comments.