Answers of the Great Masters of the Spiritual Life to the Questions of Their Disciples.

Disciple: What is the greatest temptation that causes even the fervent to fall? 

Master:  The desire to live softly to enjoy oneself.

Disciple: What is the sign that one is already falling into this temptation?

Master:  He fearlessly declaims to others improper quips and comments, mostly of a worldly nature.

Disciple: How do we handle the good and bad we meet in life?

Master:  The good and the bad in life can aid both virtue and vice.  Use both good and bad to further virtue and frustrate vice.  

Disciple: How must we look at tomorrow?

Master:  We must see it as if we shall die tomorrow.  This removes depression and makes a Christian more zealous.  

Disciple: How must we care for the body?

Master: As though it will live for many years.  So keep it healthy by making it always preserve an even temperance.  

Disciple:  Give us pointers in combating the devil.

Master:  From thought, we can learn which devils are rare and which are grievous; which devils attach us more constantly but lighter and which jump on us suddenly and entice the mind to blasphemy.

"Philokalia"

(03-23-04)