The 28th Step on John’s Ladder, which is PRAYER, provides us with a similar structure for prayer: “Heartfelt thanksgiving should have first place in our book of prayer. Next should be confession and genuine contrition of soul. After that should … Continue reading
Category Archives: The Spirituality Of the Christian East
Step 28 on John’s Ladder is PRAYER. Prayer is by nature, according to St. John, a dialog and a union of man with God. Its effect is to hold the world together. It achieves a reconciliation with God. It is … Continue reading
The 27th step on John’s Ladder, is STILLNESS. There is something that can help us to acquire this inner stillness. Let the remembrance of Jesus, St. John says, be present with your every breath. Then you will appreciate the value … Continue reading
I would continue some remarks on St. John’s 27th Step, STILLNESS. One of the key principles of Christian life is that we don’t maintain Christian attitudes out of hatred for our world, but that we are striving to be more … Continue reading
The 27th Step on John’s Ladder, is STILLNESS. St. John writes that stillness of the body is the accurate knowledge and management of one’s feelings and perceptions. Stillness of soul is the accurate knowledge of one’s thoughts and is an … Continue reading
The 26th Step on John’s Ladder is Discernment. It involves several different stages, the first one being SELF-KNOWLEDGE. To “knows thyself” is the first level of discernment. When we begin spiritual life, enthusiasm must be tempered with humility and knowledge … Continue reading
We have reached the 26th Step on John’s spiritual development Ladder. It is DISCERNMENT and has several stages. The first being SELF-KNOWLEDGE. To know oneself is the first level of discernment. When we begin spiritual life, enthusiasm must be tempered … Continue reading
I this article I have been sharing the STEPS on the Ladder of Divine Ascent of our Father among the Saints, John Climacus. I have already shared the first 25 steps of his spiritual path for growing in our greater … Continue reading
I have been sharing thoughts about the 25th Step of John’s Ladder, which is HUMILITY. John writes: There is a difference between being humble, striving for humility and praising the humble. We are tempted to be passive about the virtues. … Continue reading
This continues thoughts on the 25th Step of John’s Ladder, HUMILITY. One way to understand humility is that it is a continuous paradox of contrition and joy, the mingling of tears and gratitude. This is why humility overcomes all the … Continue reading