:: St. Stephen's Musings ::

:: Friday, February 27, 2004 ::

Notes Part III: Spiritual Direction

* We really must open up our lives and souls to at least one other person. This is the clear teaching of the desert fathers and the only way to be healed of the passions in Orthodox soteriology.

* We need others to repent. Nothing in the Christian life is done alone, even repentance of one's own sins. Our "private" actions and thoughts deeply wound those around us, even if we don't see it.

* The analogy of the spokes on a wheel by St. Dorotheos: the closer we are to God the closer we are to each other.

* Our passions, pain, struggles are the starting points of our strength. Our sins are *the key* reminder to live and turn to God. The fact that we have the power to sin shows us we also have the power to become "partakers of the divine nature."

:: Karl :: 7:48:00 AM [Link] ::