St. Paisios the Athonite: Wandering of the mind is a sign of…
Nov
13
2016
If you notice that your mind constantly wanders off to various chores that you have to do, you must realize that you are not doing well spiritually, and this should alarm you because you have distanced yourself from God.
Based on Saint Paisios the Athonite
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Orthodox
Thank you for this lesson and for remembering us the other spiritual gift from you: “The most powerful prayer”.
Could you please tell us a little bit about the agenda you have in Mount Athos during 24 hours please?
alex
This is an interesting one for discussion, because if for example you are at the Liturgy and your mind keeps wandering off to all the things you have to do (some of which might be of great benefit to other people), is this not a way of presenting these things through prayer to God and seeking His blessing?
Ioan Toma
Oh, no-no! Because in fact you are not praying but thinking at these things. We need to pray with pure heart (IOW without any thoughts) in order to really speak with God and not with our thoughts. Anyway, He knows knows what we need and how to help us. I might make another post on this. See also here: https://asceticexperience.com/portfolio/the-most-powerful-prayer/
alex
Thank you. Yes, using the `Jesus Prayer` is a really good way of focusing the mind. But if we are to `pray without ceasing` as the Apostle says, then thinking of all the things that worry us become part of our prayer rather than distractions to our prayer. Do you agree that `praying without ceasing` is a two way process? I often fail to allow God to speak to me.
Orthodox
Praying without ceasing, maybe, it could be reached gradually. I remember a lesson from this website:
https://asceticexperience.com/portfolio/manual-tasks-bring-special-blessings-photo-report-grapes/
alex
Yes, it is a true challenge, to learn how to `pray without ceasing`. And it`s a challenge to do as the Apostle Paul told the Thessalonians `in all things, give thanks`. I`m trying to develop my prayer life and I am so grateful to this website.
Ioan Toma
Also, this will help you: https://asceticexperience.com/2016/10/just-need-constant/
Ioan Toma
Yes, sure. It is a gradual process and finally it is a gift from Grace, as I said.
Ioan Toma
Praying without ceasing is a gift of Grace. You speak, eat, sleep and the prayer is saying inside you. Thinking about your problems becomes somewhat secondary. You try to solve your problems but you do not give your heart in there. Usually God speaks through other channels – you must pray without worrying that God will speak or not. He will speak.
Orthodox
Remarkable Comment!
Thanks a lot for your time in this outstanding website!