Spiritual Formation lies at the heart of my interests. Union with God as the goal of the contemplative life was where I started and what drew me to this essential book of monastic life for 1,500 years–The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John of the Ladder, aka John Climacus.
Spiritual Formation and the pursuit of the Spiritual Disciplines (aside from occasional rants) compose the foundation of this blog. But these can become too inward looking causing people to withdraw from the world. But reaching out to others is the opposite side of the same coin. It takes both sides to make the coin whole. (You could make an entire philosophical inquiry on that thought.)
However, let us sum up John’s thoughts in this outline. It’s worth putting in Evernote and scanning periodically.
The Break with the World
1. Renunciation
2. Detachment
3. Exile
The Practice of the Virtues (Active Life)
Fundamental Virtues
4. Obedience
5. Penitence
6. Remembrance of Death
7. Sorrow
The Struggle Against the Passions
Passions that are predominantly Non-physical
8. Anger
9. Malice
10. Slander
11. Talkativeness
12. Falsehood
13. Despondency
Physical and Material Passions
14. Gluttony
15. Lust
16-17. Avarice
Non-Physical Passions
18-20. Insensitivity
21. Fear
22. Vainglory
23. Pride
Higher Virtues of the Active Life
24. Simplicity
25. Humility
26. Discernment
Union with God (transition to Contemplative Life)
27. Stillness
28. Prayer
29. Dispassion
30. Love
August 6, 2018 at 8:48 am |
Thanks Gary, an excellent reminder I will put in Evernote