#sprititual

Even after being washed clean in water mingled with Spirit in holy baptism, we still carry within ourselves the inclination and habit to return to our former condition. If we do not preserve, guard and cultivate the seed of Grace given to us, we will be deprived of its vivifying power. Then, as Christ warned us, we will be worse off than we were before. In order to preserve the Grace not to return to our former delusions, we must continuously, day by day, minute by minute, unite ourselves with the Way (Christ) in repentance. Repentance – realigning ourselves to the Way, calling on Him, yearning to be cleansed in spirit, being forgiven by Him and then forgiving everyone and everything – this is the very essence and foundation of the life of His followers but repentance is more than just an act. It is first and foremost a state or condition. As long as we remain in the condition of repentance, ever deeper levels of our corruption will be revealed to us, and we will be continually purified and re-created by the wordless WORD in our hearts. The end of this is total illumination. As Archimandrite Sophrony explains: “Whoever tries to follow Christ wherever He goes (Rev 14:4) will inevitably be rent again and again – at every rise from a lesser to a wider cognition, from a small measure of love to a greater.” In our fast-paced society based on instant gratification, people want spirituality instantly. Caught in a morass of refined sensuality, they seek spirituality in a sensual way. Hypnotized in their false identities, they seek spirituality which only gets them deeper into hypnosis – now with a spiritual veneer. They expect to be comforted in their filth. They cannot go deeper, because they will do anything except face their filth. For us to advance in the spiritual life, we must realize that we are among these people, that we too have been conditioned to seek instant gratification. Facing this is the first step in rising above our environment. We must understand that, contrary to what our conditioning leads us to expect, inward purification is a lifelong process. Continuous repentance is the only way. “A miracle,” says Fr Sophrony, “the more I see God, the more ardent does my repentance become, since I the more clearly recognize my unworthiness in His sight.

Meditation Journal 🔮

Get 50% off the first month of your Expansions Membership subscription!