Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Fifty-eight Part II

Our thoughts this evening and discussion revolved around a mere two paragraphs of Letter 58.  Yet it is here that Saint Theophan draws Anastasia into the heart of the spiritual life; he teaches her about spiritual warfare and the prayer that is needed to engage in the battle. Through the attention of the mind moving into the heart through unceasing prayer one is not only united to God but protected from passionate thoughts, feelings, or desires as they arise. This is an unending battle while we are on this earth.  Theophan would have Anastasia understand that she cannot enter into this half-heartedly. One is all whole Saint or no saint at all. One cannot live with one foot in the world and one foot in the kingdom or with a heart divided.  We must give our hearts to Christ alone.

Anastasia, therefore, must not let her thoughts wander indiscriminately. For if one does it will often trigger memories, the imagination and the recollection of past sins and so trigger new ones or make us more vulnerable. When she sees such things arise she must rush to seek shelter once again in the heart before the Lord.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:06:43 Lilly: Welcome Kevin, another Canadian! :)

00:22:06 Lilly: I was told the prayer rope's tassel is meant for wiping tears, so I think emotion is good during prayer? Just a thought

00:57:40 renwitter: Talk them over with your guardian angel every night :-D

00:59:55 Lilly: @ren yes!! :)

01:01:29 Mary McLeod: Padre Pio had all his spiritual children go at least once a week

01:01:29 John Clark: The Way Of The Pilgrim can be found on kindle for $3.99.

01:07:28 Jim Milholland: Great stuff! So grateful!