This very thing is highlighted beautiful in the new film Sacred Alaska, as a way of life of the native people in general, but more especially in regard to Matushka Olga and how it was this very attentiveness to the small details of every day life that sanctified her and made her a "Real People."
I have actually been practicing this sort of thing for years now. But it seems that for the most part I see this as very simple things and when I see other people not doing it I get irritable even downright angry and Incredibly judgmental of them. I get how this is self-righteous and judgmental but it has an element of torturing my anxiety issues. I've confessed this but I don't seem to be getting much better about it. I suppose like everything else it takes a lot of time and patience.
I have been thinking so much about this topic of mindfulness and how my actions and words affect myself and others. When I was a Montessori teacher we spent a lot of time on Grace and Courtesy which included walking, picking up and putting down things, and opening and closing doors. It was a very spiritual practice.
Thank you for this beautiful disclosure, Steve. I'm edified by these words personally in my Orthodox journey, and in my present efforts of crafting a faith-integrated DBT program in my work as a professional counselor. Blessed Lent!
The Philokalia, that wonderful collection of writings by the fathers on prayer of the heart, has as its full title, The Philokalia of the Neptic Saints gathered from our Holy Theophoric Fathers, through which, by means of the philosophy of ascetic practice and contemplation, the intellect is purified, illumined, and made perfect.
This made me think of the part in Way of the Ascetics, where he talks about cutting off your curiosity. Like if you have an urge to Google something… just don’t!
Needful words for me. I'm seeing the lack of my watchfulness express itself increasingly in my children. "Why does little Timmy always lose it when something happens that he doesn't like?!" Oh, right...because that's what I do...Lord have mercy!
I am currently reading Words of the Heart by Gerondissa Makrina, the spiritual daughter of Saint Joseph the Hesychast and the spiritual sister of Elder Ephraim of Arizona. She also emphasizes the need to be watchful with everything we do and think on practically every page of the 500+ page volume. In the section I read this morning, for example, she says, "Carelessness is a sin. In every task, everything must be done carefully... All works should be done with care. It is beautiful when you say, 'Now I am going to serve Angels.'"
Thank you for this one, "the Small Things" of Life and our Humanity. Thank you too for 'translating' terms from Orthodox Faith teaching into English so we may gain a better understanding and seek to apply the teaching/concept.
This very thing is highlighted beautiful in the new film Sacred Alaska, as a way of life of the native people in general, but more especially in regard to Matushka Olga and how it was this very attentiveness to the small details of every day life that sanctified her and made her a "Real People."
Beautiful and True. Thank you. In my Lenten struggle I hope to keep this very much in mind.
I have actually been practicing this sort of thing for years now. But it seems that for the most part I see this as very simple things and when I see other people not doing it I get irritable even downright angry and Incredibly judgmental of them. I get how this is self-righteous and judgmental but it has an element of torturing my anxiety issues. I've confessed this but I don't seem to be getting much better about it. I suppose like everything else it takes a lot of time and patience.
I have been thinking so much about this topic of mindfulness and how my actions and words affect myself and others. When I was a Montessori teacher we spent a lot of time on Grace and Courtesy which included walking, picking up and putting down things, and opening and closing doors. It was a very spiritual practice.
Thank you for this beautiful disclosure, Steve. I'm edified by these words personally in my Orthodox journey, and in my present efforts of crafting a faith-integrated DBT program in my work as a professional counselor. Blessed Lent!
This is sublimely good, Steve. Thanks. I needed this today. And every day.
From Father Stephen:
The Philokalia, that wonderful collection of writings by the fathers on prayer of the heart, has as its full title, The Philokalia of the Neptic Saints gathered from our Holy Theophoric Fathers, through which, by means of the philosophy of ascetic practice and contemplation, the intellect is purified, illumined, and made perfect.
https://glory2godforallthings.com/2024/04/08/passionately-drunk-3/
Beautiful.
This made me think of the part in Way of the Ascetics, where he talks about cutting off your curiosity. Like if you have an urge to Google something… just don’t!
Such a little thing, yet makes such a difference.
I am usually moved by your writing to reexamine what I do and how I do it. I was again. Thank you for sharing this. Peace to you, brother in Christ.
Needful words for me. I'm seeing the lack of my watchfulness express itself increasingly in my children. "Why does little Timmy always lose it when something happens that he doesn't like?!" Oh, right...because that's what I do...Lord have mercy!
I am currently reading Words of the Heart by Gerondissa Makrina, the spiritual daughter of Saint Joseph the Hesychast and the spiritual sister of Elder Ephraim of Arizona. She also emphasizes the need to be watchful with everything we do and think on practically every page of the 500+ page volume. In the section I read this morning, for example, she says, "Carelessness is a sin. In every task, everything must be done carefully... All works should be done with care. It is beautiful when you say, 'Now I am going to serve Angels.'"
Thank you for this one, "the Small Things" of Life and our Humanity. Thank you too for 'translating' terms from Orthodox Faith teaching into English so we may gain a better understanding and seek to apply the teaching/concept.