DETACHMENT

To be rich can be a danger to the soul; but a greater danger is TO DESIRE to be rich.  This desire leads men into many foolish and harmful lusts. These in turn make them err in the faith, piercing their hearts with many sorrows. 

St. John Chrysostom, "Hom. 17, On 1 Tim."

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There is a vast difference between having poison and being poisoned. Doctors have all kinds of poisons for their use, but they are not poisoned. In like manner, you may possess riches without being poisoned by them, provided you have them for use, and not by love in your heart. 

St. Francis de Sales

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CLOUD OF UNKNOWING

Leave the senses and the workings of the mind,

     and all that the senses and the  mind can perceive,

     and all that is not and all that is;

     and through unknowing reach out

     toward oneness with the One 

     who is beyond all being and all knowledge.

In this way, through an uncompromising, absolute, and pure detachment

from yourself and from all things,

     you will be led upward

     towards that radiance of the divine darkness 

     that is beyond all being.

St. Dionysius the Areopaagite

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SELF-RENUNCIATION

This is self-renunciation. . .to unlock the chains of this early life which passeth away and to set oneself free from the affairs of men, and thus to make ourselves fitter to enter on that path that leads to God and to free our spirit to gain and use those things which are far more precious than gold or precious stones. 

St. Basil the Great

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(01-14-04)