Episode Details

Once again, we are blessed by the practical counsel of the fathers in regard to the struggle with the passion of lust and fornication. What becomes evident is that the struggle is primarily with the thoughts and how we address them in our lives. The origin of such thoughts may be from ourselves and our own memories, what we experience with our senses in the present moment or from demonic provocation. Whatever their origin, our asceticism must be such that we are willing to lay all such thoughts aside in preference for remaining in stillness with our focus set upon Christ. 

It is always best not to engage the thoughts that rush upon us understanding that we will be overwhelmed, especially if their origin is from the demons. We are not to argue or wrestle with the thoughts but rather call upon the holy name of our Lord and to plead for his help and strength. 

This is the source of our healing, even in ways that we do not comprehend. The more we call upon the Lord, the deeper the healing becomes and the more free we become from our attachment to the things of this world. The Jesus Prayer in particular can be used as a gentle weapon to cut away the thoughts as they come upon us. When we are able, it is beneficial to say the prayer in an audible fashion making use of multiple senses. Having a chotki in hand as we say the Prayer and making prostrations repeatedly involves the whole self in the spiritual battle. When we humble ourselves in mind and body before God, He rushes to our aid. 

Thus, humility, vigilance and constancy of prayer must be the foundation of our ascetic practice. Furthermore, we must be simple and not count ourselves as clever in this battle. The wiles of the evil one can turn even our conversations about piety into instruments that agitate and stir up the heart. Let us examine our hearts well as we approach the Great Fast and ask the Lord to be our strength.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:11:46 Niño: Have a nice day everybody 💞 it's 830 am Feb 25 Tuesday here Philippine time

00:15:10 Bob Cihak: P. 210, # G

00:15:46 Kathleen: What is the name of teh beginner’s book?

00:16:07 Kathleen: Thank you

00:16:28 Myles Davidson: https://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Introduction-Philokalia-2016/dp/1880971798

00:16:39 Kathleen: Thank you Myles

00:17:05 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "Thank you Myles" with 🙏

00:20:50 Josh: Can anyone tell me what page we are on tonight? Thanks.

00:21:03 Bob Cihak: P. 210, # G

00:21:10 Josh: Thank you

00:28:40 Maureen Cunningham: Maybe it was to protect women. It seems that women were used like property and could be cast away and killed.

00:39:46 Myles Davidson: This advice at the end of this saying reminds me of this quote you posted today Fr.
“Unceasing calling upon the name of God cures one not only of passions, but also of actions; and as a medicine affects a sick man without his comprehension, similarly the invocation of the name of God destroys passions in a manner beyond our comprehension."

00:40:25 Adam Paige: We have to choose: the news or the nous ! ;)

00:40:30 Maureen Cunningham: Beautiful movie free

00:40:48 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "We have to choose: t..." with 😊

00:40:49 Bob Cihak: When I decided,