Heart (Following and Guarding)
“QUESTION: What is the most important thing in one’s spiritual life? ANSWER: To guard the peace in our hearts. Do not let this peace be disturbed at any cost. Peace should reign in our hearts—peace and silence.” (Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica) “Worldly wisdom says to “follow your heart”, while biblical wisdom says to “guard your heart.” Be very aware of what images, thoughts, or emotions you allow to enter into your heart. Govern the heart because it is swayed by emotions, thou
Heart (Thought)
“Often when we stand or sit to pray, it is not a coldness of heart that defeats us, nor a lack of will, nor a feebleness of character. It is, rather, the constant flood of thoughts that conquers the mind, which we realize we have little ability to control…As we have seen, it is futile to try to struggle against thoughts by our own willpower; rather, our struggle should be to raise our minds and hearts to the help of the Most High. This we can do simply and instantaneously thr