On Stillness

The Venerable Barsanuphius teaches: “While a ship is at sea, it is exposed to dangers and the assault of winds. But when it reaches a quiet and peaceful harbor, it no longer fears dangers, sorrows, or the assault of winds, but remains in safety.” So too with you, O monk: as long as you remain among people, expect sorrows, troubles, and the assault of mental winds; but when you enter into stillness, you have nothing to fear (St. Barsanuphius. Reply 8, 9).

Perfect stillness is a cross upon which a person must crucify himself with all his passions and desires. “Consider also that before the Cross, our Lord Jesus Christ endured many insults and reproaches, and only after this did He ascend the Cross. In the same way, no one can attain perfect and fruitful stillness and the holy and perfect repose, unless he first suffers with Christ and endures all His sufferings, recalling the words of the Apostle: If we suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified with Him41. Do not be deceived: there is no other path of salvation apart from this” (St. Barsanuphius. Reply 342).

One who has entered into stillness must unceasingly remember why he has come, lest his heart turn aside toward something else.