Signs of Apatheia and Practical Insights

Through dreams we come to know things. And we say that apatheia is a health for the soul, and knowledge is its nourishment, which alone is accustomed to join us to the holy powers, if indeed the union with the incorporeal things is destined to come from a similar disposition.

There are two peaceful states of the soul: one is produced from the natural seeds, the other is acquired from the withdrawal of the demons. To the former, humility with compunction follows, and a tear and an infinite longing toward the Divine, and an immeasurable zeal for the work; to the latter, vainglory with pride, drawing the monk down through the destruction of the other demons. Therefore, he who keeps the boundaries of the former state will more keenly recognize the attacks of the demons.

The demon of vainglory opposes the demon of fornication, and for a soul that is not able to withstand them both at once, one is promised honor while the other brings dishonor. Whichever of these, having approached, presses you, you have perhaps formed the thoughts of the opposing demon within yourself; even if you are able to expel the proverbial 'leek from the soil,' know that you are near the boundaries of apatheia; for your mind is strong enough to annihilate the thoughts of demons with human thoughts. But to repel the thought of vainglory through humility, or the thought of fornication through sobriety, would be the deepest evidence of apatheia. And try to do this against all the adversaries through various demons; for you will also know more clearly which passion you have overcome. Furthermore, ask from God whatever power is needed to defend against the enemies in the second way.

As much as the soul advances, so much greater adversaries it receives; for I am not persuaded that the same demons always remain with it; and this is known most by those who impose themselves more keenly upon the temptations, and see the apatheia approaching them being snatched away by those who have received it. Perfect apatheia in the soul approaches through the victory over all the adversaries in the practical struggle against the demons; but imperfect apatheia is called that which is toward the power of the total overcoming of the former demon.

Even if the mind were to depart on that beautiful journey, and become among the incorporeal ones in the land, it would not succeed without correcting its inner things; for the disturbance of the inner things tends to turn it back toward those from which it had departed.

Both virtues and vices work the mind blind: the former so that it may not see vices; the latter so that it may not see virtues again.

Regarding the signs of apatheia: When the mind begins to perform the prayers without distraction, then a war is established regarding the thymic part of the soul, both at night and with the day.

A sign of apatheia is when the mind, having begun to see the inner light, remains quiet and smooth in observing things, even toward the phantasms of sleep.

The mind is strengthened when it imagines nothing of this world except during the time of prayer.

Having achieved practical living with God and having approached the knowledge, the mind is seized by knowledge as a lever, separating it from the sensible things, grasping a little or even not at all of the rational part of the soul.

A soul has apatheia, not one that does not suffer regarding things, but one that remains undisturbed even regarding their memories.

The perfect one is not held in check, and the apatheic one does not endure, if endurance belongs to the one suffering, and self-control to the one being tossed about.

Great indeed is to pray without distraction, but greater is to also sing without distraction.

He who has established the virtues within himself, and having been fully strengthened by these, no longer remembers law or commandments or punishment, but says and does whatever the best state dictates.

Practical insights: The demonic songs move our desire, and cast shameful phantasies into the soul; but the psalms and hymns and the spiritual songs always call the mind to the memory of virtue, surrounding our heart, refreshing it, and parching the desires.

If the ancients are in a state of being pressed and counter-pressing, and the demons press us, then they themselves, pressing us, are counter-pressed by us. For I shall press them out, he says, and they will not be able to stand. And again: those pressing me and my enemies themselves grew weak and fell.

Rest is joined with wisdom, and toil with prudence; for there is not...