Theophan the Recluse: Descend from your head into your heart

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Descend from your head into your heart

Theophan the Recluse, Theophan the Recluse poetry, Christian, Christian poetry, Eastern Orthodox poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry, poetry

by Theophan the Recluse
(1815 - 1894) Timeline

Original Language
Russian

You must descend from
your head into your heart.
At present your thoughts of God
are in your head. And God Himself is,
as it were, outside you, and
so your prayer and other spiritual
exercises
remain exterior. Whilst you are still
in your head,
thoughts will not easily be subdued but
will always be whirling about, like snow
in winter or
clouds of mosquitoes in summer.

-- from For Lovers of God Everywhere: Poems of the Christian Mystics, by Roger Housden

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Themes

Heart

Snow

Recommended Books

	The Art of Prayer: An Orthodox Anthology, by Igumen Chariton
	For Lovers of God Everywhere: Poems of the Christian Mystics, by Roger Housden
	The Heart of Salvation: The Life and Teachings of Russia's Saint Theophan the Recluse, Translated by Esther Williams / Edited by Robin Amis
	Kindling The Divine Spark: Teachings On How To Preserve Spiritual Zeal, by St. Theophan the Recluse
	Kindling The Divine Spark: Teachings On How To Preserve Spiritual Zeal, by St. Theophan the Recluse / Translated by Ken Kaisch

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