I use this notebook to write down my list of things to do each day. I use one side of the paper for an expansive list, and I use the other side to write only 3 tasks at a time to do. It is called the Triage Method and I found it through this video. Writing only 3 tasks at a time helps make tasks less overwhelming, which makes it easier to complete.
I also sometimes write out the hours of the day to fill in after I finish doing something. It helps me be more aware of what I'm doing throughout the day.
2. Weekly Planner
I use my physical weekly planner to plan out my week. I will write down events and appointments and when they happen. I make sure my planner is open, so I can see what is happening. I make sure to update it immediately if I am able, or I will forget. I do not like timeblocking, so I stick with horizontal planners.
3. Monthly Wall Calendar
I have a wall calendar that is in a place I can see it at all times. I write down events and appointments and their times. It helps to have lots of visuals to know what is happening and when.
4. Digital Wristwatch
This was a gamechanger for me. I bought cheap digital watches that have the month and date. I actually know the time and date. It helps me stay aware of time passing without my phone distracting me.
5. Visual Timer
I bought a cheap visual timer and it's been so helpful when doing monotonous tasks. I will shoot for 15-20 minutes instead of a full pomodoro 25/5, because it feels short enough to feel like I'm not bored out of my mind. I also have a visual timer app, but it can be a hit or miss because my phone is super distracting.
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I have a poor knowledge of the Church Fathers.
Anyone have a good intro book they like/would recommend?
Eager to learn, but I find it difficult to dive in without some background knowledge.
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The Path of Purification and Healing the False Self
In esoteric Christianity, the spiritual journey is traditionally divided into three stages, known as the Threefold Path: Purification, Illumination, and Union. These stages map the soul's ascent from the ego-driven state of separation to its ultimate reunion with God. The threefold path reflects not only the individual’s inner spiritual process but also echoes the stages of the mystical ascent described in many Christian writings, from early church mystics to the Desert Fathers.
Let’s begin by fully exploring Purification, the first stage in this journey.
Purification: The Beginning of the Threefold Path
The Threefold Path provides a systematic blueprint for the transformation of the soul, and the process starts with Purification. In this stage, the seeker embarks on a path of cleansing both internally and externally, purging the soul of attachments, illusions, and distortions created by the ego. The aim is to prepare the soul to receive divine illumination, which can only occur when the inner being has been sufficiently cleared of the barriers that obscure spiritual truth.
At the heart of purification is the dissolution of the false self, or ego. The ego is the part of us that is driven by pride, fear, and desire for control. It identifies with the body, with material possessions, with societal roles, and with the world of forms. The ego is, in essence, the accumulation of conditioned responses to the world, built upon experiences and traumas that reinforce the illusion of separateness from God.
In esoteric Christianity, sin is understood not merely as moral failure, but as the condition of living in separation from God, which is perpetuated by the ego. The purification stage, therefore, involves confronting the ways in which the ego has created false attachments, desires, and fears, and how these patterns keep the soul trapped in duality and suffering.
Purification requires a deep commitment to spiritual discipline and self-awareness. It often involves painful encounters with the shadow aspects of the self—those parts of the ego that have been repressed, denied, or hidden from conscious awareness. However, this process of self-confrontation is essential, as it leads to the dissolution of the ego’s control and opens the way for divine light to begin illuminating the soul.
Spiritual Practices for Purification
One of the most powerful tools in the purification process is the practice of self-examination. In this practice, the seeker regularly reflects on their thoughts, words, and actions, seeking to understand where the ego has been in control and where alignment with divine will has been lost. This leads to a deepening awareness of one’s inner state and the recognition of those aspects of the self that need purification.
Confession, whether in the context of a sacrament or as a private practice before God, serves as an act of humility and release. By naming the aspects of the ego that have been uncovered through self-examination, the seeker begins the process of letting go of the false self and its attachments.
Prayer is central to the purification process, particularly forms of prayer that focus on inner stillness and receptivity to divine grace. As mentioned earlier, contemplative prayer, such as the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me"), is a method used in the esoteric tradition to quiet the mind and focus the heart on God’s presence. Through repeated, focused prayer, the ego's hold is gradually loosened, and the soul begins to experience a deeper connection with the divine.
Fasting, both from food and from other attachments, is another essential practice in purification. By fasting, the soul learns to let go of its dependence on the physical world, training the body and mind to surrender cravings and desires to God. Fasting also has a symbolic dimension: it mirrors the soul’s hunger for God and teaches the seeker that true nourishment comes only from the divine.
In the esoteric Christian tradition, the heart is seen as the center of spiritual perception. However, the heart is often clouded by the impurities of the ego—anger, envy, pride, and fear. Purification of the heart is therefore a crucial step in this process, as it allows the soul to perceive spiritual truths more clearly.
The purification of the heart is a gradual process, often aided by practices of forgiveness and compassion. By learning to forgive others and to release judgments, the seeker begins to free the heart from the ego's need for control and superiority. Compassion, especially toward those who have wronged us, dissolves the barriers created by the ego’s desire for separation and division.
The Role of Grace in Purification
While purification involves active participation from the seeker, it is ultimately a process guided by divine grace. The soul, on its own, cannot achieve purification through mere willpower or effort. It is only through God’s grace that the ego can be dissolved, and the soul can be restored to its original purity.
Grace is often described as an unearned gift from God, a divine force that works within us to transform and heal the soul. In the purification process, grace acts as both a healing balm and a purifying fire. It burns away the impurities of the ego while simultaneously restoring the soul’s capacity for love, compassion, and divine awareness.
The seeker’s role is to remain open to grace, to be willing to surrender the ego’s resistance to transformation, and to trust in God’s ability to heal and purify. This requires a deep act of faith—a recognition that true purification can only occur when we allow ourselves to be guided by a power greater than the ego.
The Fruits of Purification
The path of purification, while often challenging and painful, ultimately leads to profound spiritual growth. As the ego is gradually dissolved, the soul begins to experience greater freedom, clarity, and peace. The attachments, fears, and illusions that once defined the false self are replaced by a deeper awareness of God’s presence within and around us.
One of the key fruits of purification is inner peace. As the ego’s grip loosens, the constant striving, anxiety, and fear that characterize the false self begin to dissipate. In their place, the soul experiences a deep sense of stillness and trust in God’s providence.
Another fruit of purification is greater compassion. As the seeker releases the ego’s need for superiority and control, they become more open to others, seeing them not as competitors or threats, but as fellow souls on the same journey toward divine union. Compassion flows naturally from a heart that has been purified of ego-driven judgments and desires.
Finally, purification leads to a greater capacity for divine illumination, which we will explore more deeply in the next lesson. As the soul is cleansed of egoic attachments, it becomes more receptive to the light of God’s truth, allowing divine wisdom to flow more freely into consciousness.
Purification is the essential first step on the spiritual path in esoteric Christianity. It involves the deep cleansing of the soul from the illusions, attachments, and wounds created by the false self. Through practices of self-examination, prayer, fasting, and purification of the heart, the soul becomes more receptive to divine grace and begins to experience the fruits of inner peace, compassion, and clarity.
However, purification is not the end of the journey. It is merely the gateway to the deeper stages of spiritual transformation. In the next lesson, we will explore Illumination—the second stage of the threefold path—and examine how the purified soul becomes a vessel for divine light and wisdom.
