The OC Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 (edited) Raised fist - Wikipedia The origin of the raised fist as either a symbol or gesture is unclear. Its use in trade unionism, anarchism, and the labor movement had begun by the 1910s. William "Big Bill" Haywood, a founding member of the Industrial Workers of the World, used the metaphor of a fist as something greater than the sum of its parts during a speech at the 1913 Paterson silk strike.[3] Journalist and socialist activist John Reed described hearing a similar description from a participant in the strike.[4] A large raised fist rising from a crowd of striking workers was used to promote a mass strike in Budapest in 1912.[5] In the United States, clenched fist was described by the magazine Mother Earth as "symbolical of the social revolution" in 1914.[6] Google Images << Look through here for some modern examples Lucifer's Dark Shepherds Are activist groups which use the "Raised Fist" as a part of their logo, driven by demonic forces? If so, many people don't even know what they're getting involved in. Visual Association Fallacies Many symbols, as we have seen, may have their beginnings from ancient sources. I can only assume the photos below are authentic and not something a modern sculptor put together. I'm not certain but the raised fist may have to do with hailing the sun. To investigate further, confirm with the experts. The Church Fathers claimed that idols housed the demons. If these pictures are real, and there is some sort of occult connection to these political movements, then we can only ascertain that we've been deceived through fear and a false sense of hope. By placing our faith in these ideologies, we further separate ourselves from The Holy Trinity. BIBLE VERSES ABOUT IDOL WORSHIP (kingjamesbibleonline.org) 1 Corinthians Chapter 10 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. Canaanite Religion - Raised Fist? Weather and War God Baal Raised Fist? Note: The word occult has its roots in the Latin occultus, meaning “hidden, secret, covert" The response below was written from a local priest in my area The world has been groomed (prepared) for Antichrist for centuries. -first the Roman Empire was removed. -Democracy came in and voted on what is ethical and unethical (often calling unethical ethical!). -then all religions were given equal status. -then God was removed from society. -then humanism (man’s ideas) was raised to Godhood. -then the chaos of differing ideas exhausted us. -then we were pampered with technology and forgot to work for our bread and that bread alone will not save us. -then we feared death more. -now all of the above is pushed on us even more. When Antichrist comes, he will do fake miracles. But people will not believe because of this. They will believe because they have believed all of the above. That it is right to raise human ideas above God. That we should tear down all traditions. That preserving my life is the goal of life (and not to gain Christ). Etc. I don’t think Antichrist will need to use many fake miracles or technology to fool people. People are thirsting for Antichrist already. So we Orthodox must pray, fast, give to the poor, confess and Commune. And try to become humble. For the Lord will come and destroy antichrist with the breath of His mouth. Note: Interconnected thinking is nothing more than an outline of thought. It's not some sort of secret way of thinking. Unfortunately the people who stumble onto this knowledge, erroneously believe that it helps them to miraculously open the mind to divine supernatural sources. Outline of thought - Wikipedia "In adult discourse the phrase "connect the dots" can be used as a metaphor to illustrate an ability (or inability) to associate one idea with another, to find the "big picture", or salient feature, in a mass of data." - Manville, Brook (10 October 2015). "Network Leaders Connect The Dots To Innovate". Forbes. Retrieved 5 December 2016. The Science of Interconnectedness: Cassandra Vieten at TEDxNapaValley - YouTube connect the dots - Google Search Chaos in the mind Is the Phonic Fallacy A Real Fallacy? (logicallyfallacious.com) Zakir Naik Proves That Allah Is a Mouse! (Song of Solomon 5:16) - YouTube Applying the outline of thought of visually interconnecting geometric shapes, notice how an ancient Greek Temple looks similar to a cage. Did the Greeks believe that these Temples would function as a type of containment unit which would temporarily hold captive the false spirits, daemons or gods? Aside from Ancient Greek Temples, can this (visual) association fallacy be applied to other places of worship? In ancient times when a pagan priest or priestess would summon or invoke the realm of the supernatural, were the rituals performed considered demonic and evil? Were Ancient Greek columns used as a Source of Power, such as a type of Renewable Energy Source? It's all a matter of perspective. For one person an Ancient Greek Temple looks like a prison. For someone else it might look like a Source of Power For someone who is blind, it really wouldn't matter. Notice how easily our physical senses can deceive us. The person who abides in solitude and quiet is delivered from fighting three battles: hearing, speech, and sight. Then there remains one battle to fight-the battle of the heart. - St Anthony the Great Association fallacy - Wikipedia Examples Some syllogistic examples of guilt by association: John is a con artist. John has black hair. Therefore, all people with black hair are con artists. Lyle is a crooked salesman. Lyle proposes monorail. Therefore, monorail is folly. Jane is good at mathematics. Jane is dyslexic. Therefore, all dyslexic people are good at mathematics. Simon, Karl, Jared, and Brett are all friends of Josh, and they are all petty criminals. Jill is a friend of Josh who was present when he was committing a petty crime; therefore, Jill is a petty criminal. Clearly there are many extreme coincidences happening all around us, all the time, which for some, can appear to be metaphysical. But that doesn't suggest that these experiences come from a Divine Source. Supernatural perhaps, but from God, I'm not so sure about that. If a couple of primitive cultures which never came into contact, discovered how to start a fire by rubbing two sticks together, does this suggest a divine connection? If at some point in time, two or more cultures which never came into contact with each other, and were from different parts of the world, both developed a mathematical understanding of algebraic formulas, does this suggest a divine connection? Examining the photos of clergy below, because they're all dressed in the same color, does this imply they all believe in the same theology? Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox and Tibetan Buddhists There have been some individuals who've experienced a condition psychologists refer to as apophenia. Apophenia Explained | Pareidolia, Confirmation Bias, & Other Pattern Errors - YouTube Apophenia - Wikipedia Being Amused by Apophenia | Psychology Today United Kingdom Association fallacy - Wikipedia As you know not all doctors or "so-called experts" have the final say on a matter. They're not always right. top-14-most-evil-doctors-of-the-last-two-centuries (physiciansweekly.com) 10 notorious doctors in history | MDLinx The Neuroscientist Who Discovered He Was a Psychopath | Science | Smithsonian Magazine What is the meaning of logos Spermatikos? In Stoicism the seminal reason (logos spermatikos) is the cosmic source of order; its aspects are fate, providence, and nature. ... The view becomes fused with Christian doctrine when logos is God's instrument in the development (redemption) of the world. "In Christology, the Logos (Greek: Λόγος, lit. ''Word", "Discourse", or "Reason'') is a name or title of Jesus Christ, seen as the pre-existent second person of the Trinity." Logos - Wikipedia John 1:1 Context 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. TO BE CONTINUED ... Edited February 8 by The OC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truthblast Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 9 hours ago, The OC said: Raised fist - Wikipedia The origin of the raised fist as either a symbol or gesture is unclear. Its use in trade unionism, anarchism, and the labor movement had begun by the 1910s. William "Big Bill" Haywood, a founding member of the Industrial Workers of the World, used the metaphor of a fist as something greater than the sum of its parts during a speech at the 1913 Paterson silk strike.[3] Journalist and socialist activist John Reed described hearing a similar description from a participant in the strike.[4] A large raised fist rising from a crowd of striking workers was used to promote a mass strike in Budapest in 1912.[5] In the United States, clenched fist was described by the magazine Mother Earth as "symbolical of the social revolution" in 1914.[6] Google Images << Look through here for some modern examples Lucifer's Dark Shepherds Are activist groups which use the "Raised Fist" as a part of their logo, driven by demonic forces? If so, many people don't even know what they're getting involved in. Visual Association Fallacies Many symbols, as we have seen, may have their beginnings from ancient sources. I can only assume the photos below are authentic and not something a modern sculptor put together. I'm not certain but the raised fist may have to do with hailing the sun. To investigate further, confirm with the experts. The Church Fathers claimed that idols housed the demons. If these pictures are real, and there is some sort of occult connection to these political movements, then we can only ascertain that we've been deceived through fear and a false sense of hope. By placing our faith in these ideologies, we further separate ourselves from The Holy Trinity. BIBLE VERSES ABOUT IDOL WORSHIP (kingjamesbibleonline.org) 1 Corinthians Chapter 10 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. Canaanite Religion - Raised Fist? Weather and War God Baal Raised Fist? Note: The word occult has its roots in the Latin occultus, meaning “hidden, secret, covert" The response below was written from a local priest in my area The world has been groomed (prepared) for Antichrist for centuries. -first the Roman Empire was removed. -Democracy came in and voted on what is ethical and unethical (often calling unethical ethical!). -then all religions were given equal status. -then God was removed from society. -then humanism (man’s ideas) was raised to Godhood. -then the chaos of differing ideas exhausted us. -then we were pampered with technology and forgot to work for our bread and that bread alone will not save us. -then we feared death more. -now all of the above is pushed on us even more. When Antichrist comes, he will do fake miracles. But people will not believe because of this. They will believe because they have believed all of the above. That it is right to raise human ideas above God. That we should tear down all traditions. That preserving my life is the goal of life (and not to gain Christ). Etc. I don’t think Antichrist will need to use many fake miracles or technology to fool people. People are thirsting for Antichrist already. So we Orthodox must pray, fast, give to the poor, confess and Commune. And try to become humble. For the Lord will come and destroy antichrist with the breath of His mouth. Note: Interconnected thinking is nothing more than an outline of thought. It's not some sort of secret way of thinking. Unfortunately the people who stumble onto this knowledge, erroneously believe that it helps them to miraculously open the mind to divine supernatural sources. Outline of thought - Wikipedia "In adult discourse the phrase "connect the dots" can be used as a metaphor to illustrate an ability (or inability) to associate one idea with another, to find the "big picture", or salient feature, in a mass of data." - Manville, Brook (10 October 2015). "Network Leaders Connect The Dots To Innovate". Forbes. Retrieved 5 December 2016. The Science of Interconnectedness: Cassandra Vieten at TEDxNapaValley - YouTube connect the dots - Google Search Chaos in the mind Is the Phonic Fallacy A Real Fallacy? (logicallyfallacious.com) Zakir Naik Proves That Allah Is a Mouse! (Song of Solomon 5:16) - YouTube Applying the outline of thought of visually interconnecting geometric shapes, notice how an ancient Greek Temple looks similar to a cage. Did the Greeks believe that these Temples would function as a type of containment unit which would temporarily hold captive the false spirits, daemons or gods? Aside from Ancient Greek Temples, can this (visual) association fallacy be applied to other places of worship? In ancient times when a pagan priest or priestess would summon or invoke the realm of the supernatural, were the rituals performed considered demonic and evil? Were Ancient Greek columns used as a Source of Power, such as a type of Renewable Energy Source? It's all a matter of perspective. For one person an Ancient Greek Temple looks like a prison. For someone else it might look like a Source of Power For someone who is blind, it really wouldn't matter. Notice how easily our physical senses can deceive us. The person who abides in solitude and quiet is delivered from fighting three battles: hearing, speech, and sight. Then there remains one battle to fight-the battle of the heart. - St Anthony the Great Association fallacy - Wikipedia Examples Some syllogistic examples of guilt by association: John is a con artist. John has black hair. Therefore, all people with black hair are con artists. Lyle is a crooked salesman. Lyle proposes monorail. Therefore, monorail is folly. Jane is good at mathematics. Jane is dyslexic. Therefore, all dyslexic people are good at mathematics. Simon, Karl, Jared, and Brett are all friends of Josh, and they are all petty criminals. Jill is a friend of Josh who was present when he was committing a petty crime; therefore, Jill is a petty criminal. Clearly there are many extreme coincidences happening all around us, all the time, which for some, can appear to be metaphysical. But that doesn't suggest that these experiences come from a Divine Source. Supernatural perhaps, but from God, I'm not so sure about that. If a couple of primitive cultures which never came into contact, discovered how to start a fire by rubbing two sticks together, does this suggest a divine connection? If at some point in time, two or more cultures which never came into contact with each other, and were from different parts of the world, both developed a mathematical understanding of algebraic formulas, does this suggest a divine connection? Examining the photos of clergy below, because they're all dressed in the same color, does this imply they all believe in the same theology? Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox and Tibetan Buddhists There have been some individuals who've experienced a condition psychologists refer to as apophenia. Apophenia Explained | Pareidolia, Confirmation Bias, & Other Pattern Errors - YouTube Apophenia - Wikipedia Being Amused by Apophenia | Psychology Today United Kingdom Association fallacy - Wikipedia As you know not all doctors or "so-called experts" have the final say on a matter. They're not always right. top-14-most-evil-doctors-of-the-last-two-centuries (physiciansweekly.com) 10 notorious doctors in history | MDLinx The Neuroscientist Who Discovered He Was a Psychopath | Science | Smithsonian Magazine What is the meaning of logos Spermatikos? In Stoicism the seminal reason (logos spermatikos) is the cosmic source of order; its aspects are fate, providence, and nature. ... The view becomes fused with Christian doctrine when logos is God's instrument in the development (redemption) of the world. "In Christology, the Logos (Greek: Λόγος, lit. ''Word", "Discourse", or "Reason'') is a name or title of Jesus Christ, seen as the pre-existent second person of the Trinity." Logos - Wikipedia John 1:1 Context 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. TO BE CONTINUED ... Sometimes good men raise it: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnigmaticWorld Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 24 minutes ago, Truthblast said: Sometimes good men raise it: Probably explains why the media gives him so much coverage while ignoring other whistleblowers, and why he is usually pretty silent about two countries. Wikileaks’ Julian Assange reportedly turned down a trove of documents related to the Russian government https://www.businessinsider.nl/assange-turned-down-documents-related-to-russian-government-corruption-2017-8?international=true&r=US Wikileaks is a Front for Russian Intelligence https://20committee.com/2015/08/31/wikileaks-is-a-front-for-russian-intelligence/ Wikileaks Russian Ties: Julian Assange’s Forgotten Trips To Moscow https://dearmrputin.substack.com/p/wikileaks-russian-ties-julian-assanges-forgotten-trips-to-moscow 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The OC Posted February 10 Author Share Posted February 10 Many symbols, as we have seen, may have their beginnings from ancient sources. I can only assume the photo of the idol below is authentic and not something photoshopped or a modern sculptor put together. To investigate further, confirm with the experts. Does the Roman Salute or Nazi Salute (Sieg Heil) have to do with sun worship? I found this photo online. Check your reasoning >> Wheel of Reason (criticalthinking.org) FACT, FAKE, OR OPINION? List of solar deities | Religion Wiki | Fandom (wikia.org) List of solar deities - Wikipedia Jewish Solar deities at DuckDuckGo Canaanite Solar deities at DuckDuckGo Salute (whale.to) - Response to Rational Wiki Rational Wiki (rationalwiki.org) Baal (whale.to) - Saturn (whale.to) Sun, Sun Gods and Halos (whale.to) DISCERN FOR YOURSELF: Do your own research, weigh the pros and cons. Learn to compare and contrast theories which are bullshit to ones which are real. Do a self-assessment and try to discover some common barriers to critical thinking. just because you want it to be true doesn't mean it is Are the photos below Real or Fake? The Sign of Zelator - The Zealot, or Fanatic? Sun Worship? Isn't the Islamic symbol a crescent moon? Calling Bullshit. Review the instinct-correcting maxims below: From The Thinker’s Guide For Conscientious Citizens on How to Detect Media Bias & Propaganda In National and World News by Dr. Richard Paul and Dr. Linda Elder Dear Reader, The logic behind bias and propaganda in the news media is simple and it is the same the world over. Each society and culture has a unique world view. This colors what they see and how they see it. News media in the cultures of the world reflect the world view of the culture for which they write. But the truth of what is happening in the world is much more complicated than what appears to be true in any culture. To be a critical reader of the news media in any society, one must come to terms with this truth and read accordingly. Critical thinking is a complex set of skills that reverses what is natural and instinctive in human thought. The uncritical mind is unconsciously driven to identify truth in accordance with the following tacit maxims: "It's true if I believe it." "It's true if we believe it." "It's true if we want to believe it." "It's true if it serves our vested interest to believe it." just because you want it to be true doesn't mean it is The critical mind consciously seeks the truth in accordance with the following instinct-correcting maxims: "I believe it, but it may not be true." "We believe it, but we may be wrong." "We want to believe it, but we may be prejudiced by our desire." "It serves our vested interest to believe it, but our vested interest has nothing to do with the truth." Mainstream news coverage operates with the following maxims: "This is how it appears to us from our point of view; therefore, this is the way it is." "These are the facts that support our way of looking at this; therefore, these are the most important facts." "These countries are friendly to us; therefore these countries deserve praise." "These countries are unfriendly to us; therefore these countries deserve criticism." "These are the stories most interesting or sensational to our readers; therefore, these are the most important stories in the news." Critical readers of the news reverse each of these maxims. This guide explains how to do this and thus reduce the influence of bias and propaganda on human thinking. - Richard Paul Center for Critical Thinking and Linda Elder Foundation for Critical Thinking Fact vs Opinion - Evaluating Sources: Fact Checking, Fake News, and Bias Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The OC Posted February 10 Author Share Posted February 10 People's Power - Google Images Psychological Operations What are psychological warfare operations? Psychological warfare involves the planned use of propaganda and other psychological operations to influence the opinions, emotions, attitudes, and behavior of opposition groups. What do psychological operations do? Psychological operations (PSYOP) are operations to convey selected information and indicators to audiences to influence their emotions, motives, and objective reasoning, and ultimately the behavior of governments, organizations, groups, and individuals. Pay attention to some of the "Related Images" below on Google Son Of Devil Welcome To Hell How would this affect someone who constantly looks for a deeper meaning in connections? Defending Yourself Against Psychological Operations | by A.l. | Medium "Here the propagandists is [sic] dealing with a foreign adversary whose morale he seeks to destroy by psychological means so that the opponent begins to doubt the validity of his beliefs and actions."[6][7] The uncritical mind is unconsciously driven to identify truth in accordance with the following tacit maxims: "It's true if I believe it." "It's true if we believe it." "It's true if we want to believe it." "It's true if it serves our vested interest to believe it." just because you want it to be true doesn't mean it is The critical mind consciously seeks the truth in accordance with the following instinct-correcting maxims: "I believe it, but it may not be true." "We believe it, but we may be wrong." "We want to believe it, but we may be prejudiced by our desire." "It serves our vested interest to believe it, but our vested interest has nothing to do with the truth." Mainstream news coverage operates with the following maxims: "This is how it appears to us from our point of view; therefore, this is the way it is." "These are the facts that support our way of looking at this; therefore, these are the most important facts." "These countries are friendly to us; therefore these countries deserve praise." "These countries are unfriendly to us; therefore these countries deserve criticism." "These are the stories most interesting or sensational to our readers; therefore, these are the most important stories in the news." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The OC Posted February 10 Author Share Posted February 10 (edited) Aside from avoiding the dangers of ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, another way an Orthodox Christian can get caught in the "Spiritual Trap" of "communing with the servants of the devil", is through well intentioned, yet misguided activist pursuits online. An alternate meaning for communion; "In a general sense communion is the sharing of thoughts or feelings with another person or group of people. Communion is also a concept in social psychology. Along with agency, communion is considered a component of social perceptions and the processing of social information. Agency is the degree which an individual has control over their life and their own decisions and is the personality area related to the pursuing of goals and advancement. Characteristics of communion are involved in the formation and maintenance of social connections. Communion is also related to components of morality, warmth, nurturance, sociability, and group perception." Agency and Communion From the Perspective of Self Versus Others: The Moderating Role of Social Class "Addiction is an inability to stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior even though it is causing psychological and physical harm." Click the links and see for yourself just how serious this problem is, especially under Covid lockdowns. Internet and Video Game Addiction During COVID-19 - YouTube Internet Addiction Rehab Program - YouTube Internet Addiction Rehab Program The Internet is not a substitute for real life. Ephesians 4:27 “Neither give place to the devil.” (KJV) Sin in the Orthodox Christian understanding is "missing the mark" (the literal meaning of the Greek word for sin, hamartia), falling short of the glorious purpose for which God created mankind. It is also understood as separation from God, since intimate communion with God is the normal state of mankind from which most people have fallen. Sin is imperfection, anything which fails to live up to the fullness of life in Christ for which man was created. The Bible sometimes uses legal metaphors to refer to sin, likening it to crime, that is, crime against God's law. For Orthodox Christianity, while making use of legal imagery, the more dominant imagery used for sin is also drawn from Scripture, and that is that sin is a kind of disease, an affliction for which salvation is the cure. Sin - OrthodoxWiki Setting SMART Targets Making sense of target setting! How to Create Spiritual Goals - Orthodox Motherhood Christian goal setting - Google Search Colossians 3:17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (KJV) St. Nikolai Velimirovich: My child, just read! A monk complained to St. Arsenius that while reading Holy Scripture he does not feel, neither the power of the words read nor gentleness in his heart. To that the great saint will reply to him: “My child, just read! I heard that the sorcerers of serpents, when they cast a spell upon the serpents, the sorcerers are uttering the words, which they themselves do not understand, but the serpents hearing the spoken words sense their power and become tamed. An so, with us, when we continually hold in our mouths the words of Holy Scripture, but even though we do not feel the power of the words, evil spirits tremble and flee for they are unable to endure the words of the Holy Spirit.” My child, just read! The Holy Spirit Who, through inspired men, wrote these divine words, will hear, will understand and will hasten to your assistance; and the demons will understand will sense and will flee from you. That is: He Whom you invoke for assistance will understand, and those whom you wish to drive away from yourself will understand. And both goals will be achieved. + St. Nikolai Velimirovich, Prologue of Ochrid (May 8) What would be a good litmus test to gauge your spiritual progress? Has the time you spent online brought you closer to Jesus Christ with a better understanding of Orthodox Phronema? Has your communication online via email, chat rooms, forums, and comments on social media brought others closer to Christ? Colossians 3:2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (KJV) If, at the time when the mind is praying it is distracted by any extraneous thought or worry about anything, then this prayer is not called pure. (St. Isaac the Syrian, Homilies, 16) St. Theophan the Recluse: . . . be sober, watch, and pray —and the enemies will do nothing to you. Who among men is free of them? He who goes according to the will of the evil one does not experience attacks, but is simply turned more and more toward evil. As soon as one begins to come to himself and intends to begin a new life according to God’s will, immediately the entire satanic realm enters into action: they hasten to scatter good thoughts and the intentions of the repentant one in any way they can. If they do not manage to turn him aside, they attempt to hinder his good repentance and confession; if they do not manage to do that, they contrive to sow tares amidst the fruits of repentance and disrupt his labors of cleansing the heart. If they do not succeed in suggesting evil they attempt to distort the truth; if they are repulsed inwardly they attack outwardly, and so on until the end of one’s life. They do not even let one die in peace; even after death they pursue the soul, until it escapes the aerial space where they hover and congregate. You ask, “What should we do? It is hopeless and terrifying!” For a believer there is nothing terrifying here, because near a God-fearing man demons only busy themselves, but they do not have any power over him. A sober man of prayer shoots arrows against them, and they stay far away from him, not daring to approach, and fearing the defeat which they have already experienced. If they succeed in something, it is due to our blundering. We slacken our attention, or allow ourselves to be distracted by their phantoms, and they immediately come and disturb us more boldly. If you do not come to your senses in time they will whirl you about; but if a soul does come to its senses they again recoil and spy from afar to see whether it is possible to approach again somehow. So be sober, watch, and pray—and the enemies will do nothing to you. + St. Theophan the Recluse, Thoughts for Each Day of the Year: According to the Daily Church Readings from the Word of God St. Isaac the Syrian: A Prayer of Repentance At the door of Your compassion do I knock, Lord; send aid to my scattered impulses which are intoxicated with the multitude of the passions and the power of darkness. You can see my sores hidden within me: stir up contrition—though not corresponding to the weight of my sins, for if I receive full awareness of the extent of my sins, Lord, my soul would be consumed by the bitter pain from them. Assist my feeble stirrings on the path to true repentance, and may I find alleviation from the vehemence of sins through the contrition that comes of Your gift, for without the power of Your grace I am quite unable to enter within myself, become aware of my stains, and so, at the sight of them be able to be still from great distraction.” + St. Isaac the Syrian, from The Prayers of St. Isaac the Syrian St. Ephraim the Syrian: Imagine that someone, while standing before a king . . . “Imagine that someone, while standing before a king and conversing with him, at the summons of a servant like unto himself leaves the king and begins to converse with that servant; such also is he who engages in conversation and gives himself over to distraction during the divine service.” — St. Ephraim the Syrian Orthodox Sources The Distracted Mind and Our Spiritual Life Distracting us from the Depths The Struggle Against the Thoughts (Logismoi) Distration in Prayer by Archimandrite Meletos Webber We Should Not Be Distracted By Anything Attend to Thyself: Attentiveness and Digital Culture (deathtotheworld.com) Do Not Resent, Do Not React, Keep Inner Stillness Orthodox Videos Be the Bee #103 | Five Ways to Jumpstart Your Spiritual Life - YouTube Be the Bee # 110 | Don't Think About Your Thoughts - YouTube "Watch then Thyself": Spiritual Practice & Digital Culture - YouTube Self-Control St. John Damascene: These eight passions should be destroyed as follows . . . “These eight passions should be destroyed as follows: gluttony by self-control; unchastity by desire for God and longing for the blessings held in store; avarice by compassion for the poor; anger by goodwill and love for all men; worldly dejection by spiritual joy; listlessness by patience, perseverance and offering thanks to God; self-esteem by doing good in secret and by praying constantly with a contrite heart; and pride by not judging or despising anyone in the manner of the boastful Pharisee (cf. Luke 18 : 11–12), and by considering oneself the least of all men. 48 practices which lead the soul unto humility - YouTube When the intellect has been freed in this way from the passions we have described and been raised up to God, it will henceforth live the life of blessedness, receiving the pledge of the Holy Spirit (cf. 2 Cor. 1 : 22). And when it departs this life, dispassionate and full of true knowledge, it will stand before the light of the Holy Trinity and with the divine angels will shine in glory through all eternity.” + St. John Damascene, “On the Virtues and the Vices” from The Philokalia: The Complete Text (Vol. 2) St. Cyril of Alexandra: If the poison of pride is swelling up in you, turn to the Eucharist . . . “If the poison of pride is swelling up in you, turn to the Eucharist; and that Bread, Which is your God humbling and disguising Himself, will teach you humility. If the fever of selfish greed rages in you, feed on this Bread; and you will learn generosity. If the cold wind of coveting withers you, hasten to the Bread of Angels; and charity will come to blossom in your heart. If you feel the itch of intemperance, nourish yourself with the Flesh and Blood of Christ, Who practiced heroic self-control during His earthly life; and you will become temperate. If you are lazy and sluggish about spiritual things, strengthen yourself with this heavenly Food; and you will grow fervent. Lastly, if you feel scorched by the fever of impurity, go to the banquet of the Angels; and the spotless Flesh of Christ will make you pure and chaste.” + St. Cyril of Alexandria St. Isaac the Syrian: A Prayer of Repentance “At the door of Your compassion do I knock, Lord; send aid to my scattered impulses which are intoxicated with the multitude of the passions and the power of darkness. You can see my sores hidden within me: stir up contrition—though not corresponding to the weight of my sins, for if I receive full awareness of the extent of my sins, Lord, my soul would be consumed by the bitter pain from them. Assist my feeble stirrings on the path to true repentance, and may I find alleviation from the vehemence of sins through the contrition that comes of Your gift, for without the power of Your grace I am quite unable to enter within myself, become aware of my stains, and so, at the sight of them be able to be still from great distraction.” + St. Isaac the Syrian, from The Prayers of St. Isaac the Syrian St. Maximos the Confessor: There are three things which produce love of material wealth . . . “It is not so much because of need that gold has become an object of desire among men, as because of the power it gives most people to indulge in sensual pleasure. There are three things which produce love of material wealth: self-indulgence, self-esteem and lack of faith. Lack of faith is more dangerous than the other two. The self-indulgent person loves wealth because it enables him to live comfortably; the person full of self-esteem loves it because through it he can gain the esteem of others; the person who lacks faith loves it because, fearful of starvation, old age, disease, or exile, he can save it and hoard it. He puts his trust in wealth rather than in God, the Creator who provides for all creation, down to the least of living things. There are four kinds of men who hoard wealth: the three already mentioned and the treasurer or bursar. Clearly, it is only the last who conserves it for a good purpose–namely, so as always to have the means of supplying each person’s basic needs.” + St. Maximos the Confessor, Four Hundred Texts on Love 3.16-19, The Philokalia: The Complete Text (Vol. 2) St. Thalassios the Libyan: If you wish to be in control of your soul and body . . . “If you wish to be in control of your soul and body, forestall the passions by rooting out their causes.” “On Love, Self-Control and Life in Accordance with the Intellect,” 1.64, The Philokalia: The Complete Text (Vol. 2) St. Mark the Ascetic: Praise from others engenders sinful desire . . . “Praise from others engenders sinful desire, while their condemnation of vice, if not only heard but accepted, engenders self-restraint.” — St. Mark the Ascetic Definition prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely a calumniator, false accuser, slanderer, metaph. applied to a man who, by opposing the cause of God, may be said to act the part of the devil or to side with him. "...the Greek word for devil is diavolos, (diaboloV), which means to divide. Nothing makes the devil happier than when we become divided and separated from one another. Nothing makes the Lord more unhappy than when we are divided and separated from one another." (Page 5) Anger, Pride or Humility and Love? Edited February 10 by The OC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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