Heart (Quiet and Peaceful)
“[a …] true sanctuary, even before the life to come, is a heart free from distractive thoughts and energized by the Spirit, for all is done and said there spiritually. If we do not attain such a state in this life, we may because of our other virtues be a stone fit for building into the temple of God; but we will not ourselves be a temple or a celebrant of the Spirit.” (St. Gregory of Sinai)
“The heart is quiet rather than noisy, intuitive rather than deductive, lives entirely in the present, and is, at every moment, accepting of the reality God gives in that moment. Moreover, the heart does not seek to distance or dominate anything or anyone by labeling. Rather, it begins with an awareness of its relationship with the rest of creation (and everything and everyone in it), accepting rather than rejecting, finding similarity rather than alienation and likeness rather than difference. It knows no fear, experiences no desire, and never finds the need to defend or justify itself. Unlike the mind, the heart never seeks to impose itself. It is patient and undemanding. Little wonder, then, that the mind, always impatient and very demanding, manages to dominate it so thoroughly.” (Archimandrite Meletios Webber)
“The Lord is still, peaceful, and gentle—and the touch of God on our souls and hearts is always accompanied by the light of peace and silence. This is the sign by which we recognize the touch of God and His grace, whereas any exaltation or agitation is the touch of demons on our hearts.” (Hieromonk Anatoly)
“A man’s inner world is a field of constant battle for the heart. Even when the passions have subsided, there is still the difficult work of discerning voices and thoughts. The ascetic Fathers taught a simple but unmistakable principle: the voice of God always brings peace, humility, and love, while the voice of the enemy sows confusion, anxiety, self-aggrandizement, or despondency. A demonic thought is intrusive; it requires immediate action; it rushes and inflames us.” (Hieromonk Spyridon Dorosh)
“The Scriptures make it clear that Christ’s principal work is to restore peace between man and God. And a worldwide peace can pervade and bless humanity only through the sons of peace. But God’s peace is resisted, and the sons of peace are persecuted. But Jesus promised the disciples that if anyone accepted their peace, it would be given; and if anyone rejected it, it would return to the disciples and increase in their hearts. The peacemaker must necessarily possess a very generous store of love and patience in order to persuade stony hearts to accept God’s peace. He who preaches peace must become like God, and so Jesus bestows on them the title persons of God.” (Matthew the Poor)
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