The tenth step on St. John’s Ladder is, as I shared in the last Bulletin, a sin called SLANDER. For what reason do we consider spiritual sins such as pride, hypocrisy, hatred and slander less grievous than “’physical” sins? A … Continue reading
Category Archives: The Spirituality Of the Christian East
The tenth step on St. John’s Ladder of Ascent, is SLANDER. Malice and the remembrance of wrongs naturally lead to gossip and slander. I am sure that all of us can recall when we have heard persons go on for … Continue reading
I would share just a few more thoughts on the ninth step: Remembrance of Wrongs. The remembrance of wrongs is not a minor imperfection, however natural being permanently angry with those who have done us ill may seem to be. … Continue reading
The ninth step on John’s Ladder, that is Remembrance of Wrongs, is one that truly elicits many comments. It seems that the natural tendency in humans is to remember wrongs, whether real or perceived. The greatest cure for the sickness … Continue reading
In the last issue of this article, I shared with you St. John’s advice on how to build your ability to forgive others. John further reminds us that even speaking of forgiveness and insisting on its importance should make us … Continue reading
The ninth step on John’s Ladder is REMEMBRANCE of WRONGS/MALICE. As a remedy to malice or remembrance of wrongs, John recommends a very particular prayer. He states Let the prayer of Jesus put it to shame, that prayer which cannot … Continue reading
In this article on Eastern spirituality I have been sharing thoughts about the various steps on St. John Climacus’ Ladder of Divine Ascent. I have already completed eight of the steps. The ninth step on the Ladder is: REMEMBRANCE OF … Continue reading
The second stage of blessed patience is to be free from pain amid all such things. This is similar to the third stage of freedom from anger, that is to be untroubled by dishonor. The Ladder does not give us … Continue reading
St. John advances a very interesting prescription for anger. He recommends singing. He says: Singing in moderation can occasionally ease bad temper. But if it is untimely and immoderate, it may open the path to pleasure. It is not quite … Continue reading
In dealing with the eighth step of the Ladder, which is MEEKNESS and the LOSS OF ANGER, St. John presents three stages of freedom from anger. Overcoming anger is by no means easy. The Ladder presents three stages of progress … Continue reading