What the Spiritual Life Is and How to Attune to It
Modern translationRussian original
19th c. · Asceticism & Spirituality · English translation, 2026
Source edition: Что есть духовная жизнь и как на неё настроиться
Cover art: Saint Francis in Meditation — Francisco de Zurbarán (Spanish, 1598–1664) (Wikimedia Commons / National Gallery, London, Public domain)
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Contents
- Introduction
- 1. Opening Reminder of the Promise to Correspond About the Spiritual Life. The…
- 2. Explanation for the Silence. The Need for Candor and Simplicity in…
- 3. The Emptiness and One-sidedness of Secular Life
- 4. Secular Life Robs One of Freedom and Holds its Devotees in Heavy Bondage…
- 5. The Three Dimensions of Human Life. The First: Bodily Life, its Organs and…
- 6. The Second Dimension of Human Life: the Life of the Soul and its Three…
- 7. The Desiderative Dimension of the Soul's Life. Its Functions. The Right…
- 8. The Emotional Dimension—the Heart. The Heart's Central Importance in Human…
- 9. The Third Dimension of Human Life: the Spiritual Life. Its Chief…
- 10. The Universality of Belief in God's Existence as a Manifestation of…
- 11. The Action of the Spirit Upon the Human Soul and the Resulting Phenomena in…
- 12. Conclusions From What Has Been Said About the Three Dimensions of Human…
- 13. True Human Happiness is Life According to the Spirit. The Finest Envelope…
- 14. The Soul's Envelope is Bright or Dark According to the Inner Disposition…
- 15. How the Saints Hear Our Prayers. A Note on Prayer
- 16. The True Goal of Life. A Way of Life Consonant With That Goal
Deposits in the heavenly treasury. A life pleasing to God. The fantasies of progressivist women about universal human welfare and their falsity
The place of spiritual needs among the other dimensions of human life. The one thing needful. The dominance of the spirit as the natural harmony of all needs, capable of giving peace and rest. The absence of that rest in humanity. Universal vanity and the ruin of the spirit. The seed of this turmoil is received at birth
- 19. Original Sin as the Source of Inner Turmoil and Disorder. The Possibility…
- 20. Continued. An Account of the Disorder Introduced Into Human Nature by the…
- 21. The Necessity of Reunion With God for Salvation. Man Cannot Accomplish This…
- 22. Continued on the Redemptive Restoration of Fallen Man. The Participation of…
- 23. Signs of True Spiritual Zeal as Distinct From Merely Soulish Zeal
- 24. New Year's Wishes. The Need for Renewal and Self-purification. This is…
- 25. Thoughts on the Feast of Theophany. The Hidden Action of the Grace Received…
- 26. Continued on the Hidden Action of Baptismal Grace in the Person…
- 27. Continued on Zeal and the Resolve to Live by Grace. Inner Recollectedness…
- 28. The Free Resolve to Live by Grace Explained Through Parables and Examples
- 29. The Resolve to Live by Grace Must Not Stop at Mere Desire but Must Be…
- 30. A Sketch of the Inner State Illumined by Grace, in the Words of Macarius…
- 31. How to Sustain the Awakened Striving Toward a Good Life. Spiritual Reading…
- 32. One Who Resolves to Enter the Path of a Good Life Should Keep a Fast…
- 33. Continued on Fasting. Conduct at Home During the Fast
- 34. Continued on Fasting. Preparation for Confession. An Examination of Life
- 35. Continued. Examination of the Heart's Dispositions. Determining the…
- 36. Complete Preparation for the Sacraments of Repentance and Communion. The…
- 37. The Awakened Resolve to Live Rightly Must Take Clear Shape as a Striving to…
- 38. The Fasting Person's Necessary Resolve to Consecrate Himself to God is…
- 39. The Reformation of Life Consists Not in Rearranging Outward Circumstances…
- 40. Apprehension About Cooling Off in the Future. Various Causes of Cooling…
- 41. Final Counsel Before Confession and Communion
- 42. Congratulations and Good Wishes to One Who Has Repented and Received the…
- 43. After Repentance and Communion, One Who Has Entered the Path of True Life…
- 44. Precautions for One Who Has Entered the True Path. The Stirring of Life in…
- 45. The Primary Occupation of One Who Has Entered the True Path—Prayer…
- 46. General Rules for One Who Stands on the Path of True Life
- 47. A Prayer Rule for One Standing on the Path of a God-pleasing Life…
- 48. How to Attain Properly Undistracted Prayer. Preparation for the Right…
- 49. Everyday Affairs. How to Relate to Everyday Tasks So That They Do Not…
- 50. Continued. The Means by Which One Can Cultivate in Oneself Unceasing…
- 51. How to Turn Everyday Tasks and Things to Spiritual Profit
- 52. Remembrance of God Must Be Brought to the Point of a Feeling of Warmth—of…
- 53. The Passions as an Obstacle to the Spirit's Being Kindled With Love for…
On the struggle against the passions
- 55. Continued on the Struggle Against the Passions
- 56. Even the Smallest Stirrings of the Passions Must Be Driven Out. Righteous…
- 57. The Different Stages in the Development of a Passion: Passionate Thoughts…
- 58. The Role of Prayer in the Struggle Against Impassioned Thoughts. Examples
- 59. An Excerpt From St. Hesychios on the Struggle Against the Passions
- 60. What to Do if Impassioned Thoughts and Desires Break Through Even While One…
- 61. Guarding Hearing and Sight. How to Destroy Harmful Impressions From What is…
- 62. After Guidance on the Interior Struggle Against the Passions, Instruction…
- 63. Household Responsibilities. Singing and Music
- 64. Solitude. How to Avoid Boredom. Reading and the Study of Learning
- 65. An Excerpt From St. Poemen on a God-pleasing Life, the Conquest of the…
- 66. A Pilgrimage to the Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra. Guidance for Pilgrims
- 67. The Pilgrim's Consolation. Guidance on Thorough Confession. Brief Prayers…
- 68. Rumors and the Talk of People. The Need for a Good Counselor. The Constant…
- 69. Anguish and Fears. Innocent Diversions. Separation From Bad People. An…
- 70. On Reading Spiritual and Secular Books
- 71. Cooling Toward Prayer. Negligent and Hurried Prayer. How to Avoid This…
- 72. A Vow of Renunciation of the World. How to Conduct Oneself After Taking the…
- 73. Continued. A Vow of Celibacy Once Given Must Be Held Firm. The Greatness of…
- 74. Guidance for Those Drawn to Monastic Life. The Various Forms of Celibate…
- 75. The Enemy's Stratagems to Turn One Away From a World-renouncing Life. How…
- 76. Temptations From Unbelievers. Refutation of Their Foolish Arguments
- 77. Temptations From Family Troubles. Obedience to Parents as Preparation for…
- 78. Temptation From Injustice and False Accusations by Outsiders. Bearing Them…
- 79. Final Anxieties and Disturbances. Entrusting One's Fate Into the Hands of…
- 80. Calm After the Storm of Temptations Raised by the Enemy. Preparing to…
- The Author: Saint Theophan the Recluse