Chapter 100

Two Improprieties With Warmth: Warmth-love and Carnal Pleasure

When the warmth accompanying the Jesus Prayer is not accompanied by spiritual feelings, it should not be called spiritual warmth, but simply bodily warmth; and it is not bad in that state, if it does not consist in connection with carnal pleasure, however slight; but if it does consist in that, then it is bad and ought to be cast out.

This impropriety occurs when the warmth travels below the heart. The second impropriety is that, having loved this warmth, one limits everything to it alone, not concerning oneself with spiritual feelings and even with the remembrance of God, but only so that there be this warmth; this impropriety is possible, though not in everyone and not always, but from time to time. One must notice this and correct it, because in such a case only bodily, animal warmth will remain. (7, 65)