As I shared during the 11th Step of John’s Ladder, when the tongue is not submitted to God to be disciplined and purified, it will inevitably become a tool for sin. Our words may become a weapon to hurt our … Continue reading
Category Archives: The Spirituality Of the Christian East
I would conclude my remarks on the 11th Step of John’s Ladder by adding just a few words on the use of social media (e.g., Facebook and Twitter). I really am not a luddite. Social media can be very helpful. … Continue reading
In the last two issues I presented two of the three fundamental causes of Talkativeness, a bad/relaxed Lifestyle and Vainglory. The third cause that St. John enumerates is Gluttony. This may seem a more surprising cause of talkativeness. But the … Continue reading
Hopefully you, my readers, are finding these thoughts of St. John as helpful as I am. I believe that his thoughts can be very beneficial to spiritual growth. I have begun sharing the three basic causes for Talkativeness which, as … Continue reading
In the last issue I was sharing thoughts about the eleventh step on the Ladder, namely Talkativeness and Silence. When we are spiritually lazy, we often try to fill the vacuum with pointless chattering. The Ladder pinpoints three fundamental causes … Continue reading
Before the Feast of the Lord’s Birth, I was sharing thoughts about the 11th Step on John’s Ladder, Talkativeness and Silence. While we may think of talkativeness as a bad quality, very few usually connect it with sin. But as … Continue reading
As we contemplate John’s 11th Step on the Ladder, we might ask, “Why is so much importance attached to silence in all forms of spirituality?” Because the more we speak, the less we listen; the more we hear the sound … Continue reading
The 11th step on John’s Ladder is truly unique. It is Talkativeness and Silence. Talkativeness is the throne of vainglory on which it loves to preen itself and show off. John says that talkativeness is a sign of ignorance, a … Continue reading
I would offer some last thoughts on the 10th Step on John’s Ladder, that is on SLANDER. We have all known many people who secretly had committed very grave sins and had not been found out and yet, cloaked in … Continue reading
I would continue some remarks on the 10th Step on John’s Ladder, SLANDER. History tells us that one monk, the Elder Aimilianos, always walked away when someone began speaking about someone behind his back. St. John, however, suggests a much … Continue reading