Chapter 110
On the Jesus Prayer and the Guarding of Attention
110.2.1 The mercy of God be with you!
110.3.1 My letter will not reach you in time; so regarding your ward, decide as you find best. I speak God’s blessing to you in the wake of your undertaking, not at its beginning.[1]
110.4.1 As for the Jesus Prayer, it is good that you use it as you do. It is the best way to establish attention and to keep it before the Lord. This is a precious practice. But its value can be diminished by irreverence in the presence of the Lord whose name is invoked. Whether walking, sitting, or standing, you can say this little prayer, but always with a movement of reverence in some measure. Through it the soul is kept in order, and the body is held alert, like a soldier in formation. That’s why I asked about it—to point you toward doing what you’re already doing... One thing only is lacking in you. Our trouble often comes from this: when we finish one task and there’s no other at hand, or we have no desire for it, we let the soul wander off and rest, not keeping it strictly on one thing… From this the wandering soul often stumbles upon bad things, which find an echo inside. And so a struggle arises, brought on involuntarily by inattention. So to avoid this struggle the best remedy is to take up the Jesus Prayer at once… That’s what I’m urging you to do.
110.5.1 But attend to yourselves. It seemed to me there was a certain boastfulness in your words… Watch out, the enemy will notice… he’ll jump on your shoulders and start driving you around… and it’s no wonder if he drives you somewhere you don’t want to be, yet where it’s scandalous to be. May the Lord direct your path and instruct you in deeds, words, and thoughts!
110.6.1 Be saved!
110.7.1 I ask for your prayers!
110.8.1 Bishop Theophan.
110.9.1 .