Chapter 94

The Artistic Technique of Prayer Can Cut Off Spiritual Life

The artistic technique of practicing prayer is depicted by the fathers as an external aid and is subordinate to inner practice. But now most people adopt only the external side, not caring about the inner. As soon as some warm movement appears in the heart, they decide: God has granted it... and they give themselves over to fantasies about themselves. Then they criticize all who do not observe the artistic technique of prayer, and not only this, but also the church prayers, and those who strictly follow it, trying not to neglect it. —From this their progress in inner prayer ceases, and they remain with only external practice. —And spiritual life stops. (10, 193–194)