A Selection from _Heart's Ladder_

remembering our beloved father Saint Isaak the Syrian on this, his Feast Day

Purity of Mind and Purity of Heart

(from Homily 3)

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Purity of mind cannot derive

from mere ignorance of evil,

for that is to be as a beast, nor

does the mind’s purity result

from mental impediment, nor yet

from refusal to engage in human affairs;

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rather, purity of mind is this: to be rapt

by things divine.

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Such purity is won by diligent practice

of the virtues even in the very midst

of evil thoughts.

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That said, purity of mind is but one thing,

while purity of heart is yet another, just

as the hand is not one’s entire body.

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Witness. The mind is but one of the senses

of the soul, while the heart is what contains

and holds the inner senses; it is

the sense of senses, and their root.

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If the root is holy, then look! The branches!

They are also holy!

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If the heart is made pure, then—amen!—just so,

all the senses become pristine and useful.

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Consider these distinctions:

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If the mind is but a little diligent

in reading divine Scriptures,

and with some little effort toils

in fasting, vigil, and stillness,

it will turn from its former activity and become

pure, so long as it abstains from alien concerns.

Even so, know this: its purity will not be permanent,

for just as it was quickly cleansed, so too,

may it be quickly soiled.

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On the other hand, the heart is made pure

only over time—by many afflictions,

deprivations, strenuous separation

from mundane matters.

Once it is purified, therefore, the heart

is not soiled by little things, nor

is it dismayed by great and dreadful conflicts.

The purity that comes over a long period,

through many afflictions to strengthen

the soul’s superior portion—the heart—

cannot be put at risk by commonplace assault.

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Limpidity: Καθαρότης

(from Homily 3)

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When, through watchful care, the senses become

duly cleansed, brought again into meet

and proximate unity, they engender

—giving new birth to—profound peace

in the soul, and strong protection

from interior discord.

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Should the soul fall again into negligence,

this protection is forsaken, allowing

the return of grievous perceptions,

troubling the soul’s hard-won peace.

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Through such negligence, the soul’s original,

limpid purity and natural innocence

can be severed and lost.

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Only one among many can return to our ancient,

created state. The one who succeeds

does so through vigorously guarding

both the senses and the mind from assaults.

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The sure path, then, is the path of temperance,

of watchfulness, of strenuously

shielding the heart.

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Concerning Petitions

(from Homily 3)

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Take care that your petitions are not

foolish petitions, imploring

the God with low concerns.

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Ask, rather, for what is honorable

from the One Who ever gives,

and is forever pleased to give.

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Should you ask for something worthy

and He appears slow to give,

do not sorrow. You are not

more wise than God.

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Perhaps you are not yet worthy of your request,

or your heart’s path does not now conform

to your petition, or you have yet to arrive

at the place where such a gift as you desire

would be of true benefit to you.

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Any and all things hastily obtained

will slip easily away.

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All things received in unwearied diligence

are retained in watchfulness.

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First Steps

(from Homily 4)

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When your soul loves God, your soul

finds rest only in Him.

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Such union with God will arrive only

after you are made free

from external bonds. Only then will you

succeed in binding your heart to Him.

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Diligence performed with the body

must precede all works performed

with the soul, just as creation of the body

preceded creation of the soul.

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The man who has so far failed in bodily diligence

may never proceed to the works of the soul.

Remember that sheaves of joy arrive

for those who have sown tears.

Bread that is won through toil tastes sweet

to the laborer.

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Suffer contempt with good will, that you may

stand boldly before God.

Should the man blessed with this knowledge suffer

unjust attack, he receives

a crown of thorns, and is blessed,

and will yet receive an imperishable crown

at a time he does not yet apprehend.