Chapter 188

In Prayer One Must Not Construct Images

This monk sees the Holy Trinity imagewise in his heart. The Holy Trinity, God, is invisible, hidden, and has no image. You must stand in the awareness of God’s omnipresence, but you should not construct images. He says he found this thought among the fathers. Ask him—which fathers? I do not recall anyone saying this. Those who construct their thoughts about spiritual matters so as to give them weight cite the fathers. Without verification, one cannot accept such words as truth.

(Letter 902. Volume 5, p. 176)