Conferences I–X, Conference I

Conference I

• Conferences I–X I.1 — Of our stay in Scete, and that which we proposed to Abbot Moses. When I was in the desert of Scete, where are the most excellent monastic fathers and where all perfection flourishes, in company with the holy father…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.2 — Of the question of Abbot Moses, who asked what was the goal and what the end of the monk. All the arts and sciences, said he, have some goal or mark; and end or aim of their own, on which the diligent pursuer of each…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.3 — Of our reply. And when he insisted on eliciting an opinion from us on this question, we replied that we endured all this for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.4 — Of Abbot Moses' question on the aforesaid statement. To which he replied: Good, you have spoken cleverly of the (ultimate) end. But what should be our (immediate) goal or mark, by constantly sticking close to which…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.5 — A comparison with a man who is trying to hit a mark. As those, whose business it is to use weapons of war, whenever they want to show their skill in their art before a king of this world, try to shoot their arrows or…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.6 — Of those who in renouncing the world, aim at perfection without love. For hence it arises that in the case of some who have despised the greatest possessions of this world, and not only large sums of gold and silver,…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.7 — How peace of mind should be sought. Everything should be done and sought after by us for the sake of this. For this we must seek for solitude, for this we know that we ought to submit to fastings, vigils, toils,…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.8 — Of the main effort towards the contemplation of things and an illustration from the case of Martha and Mary. Of the main effort towards the contemplation of things and an illustration from the case of Martha and…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.9 — A question how it is that the practice of virtue cannot remain with a man. To which we, being deeply moved, replied what then? will the effort of fasting, diligence in reading, works of mercy, justice, piety, and…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.10 — The answer that not the reward, but the doing of them will come to an end. Moses. I did not say that the reward for a good work would be taken away, as the Lord Himself says: “Whosoever shall give to one of the least…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.11 — On the abiding character of love. And why do you wonder that those duties enumerated above will cease, when the holy Apostle tells us that even the higher gifts of the Holy Spirit will pass away: and points out that…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.12 — A question on perseverance in spiritual contemplation. Germanus. Who then, while he is burdened with our frail flesh, can be always so intent on this contemplation, as never to think about the arrival of a brother,…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.13 — The answer concerning the direction of the heart towards and concerning the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the devil. The answer concerning the direction of the heart towards and concerning the kingdom of God and…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.14 — Of the continuance of the soul. Wherefore every one while still existing in this body should already be aware that he must be committed to that state and office, of which he made himself a sharer and an adherent…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.15 — How we must meditate on God. But the contemplation of God is gained in a variety of ways. For we not only discover God by admiring His incomprehensible essence, a thing which still lies hid in the hope of the…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.16 — A question on the changing character of the thoughts. Germanus. How is it then, that even against our will, aye and without our knowledge idle thoughts steal upon us so subtilely and secretly that it is fearfully…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.17 — The answer what the mind can and what it cannot do with regard to the state of its thoughts. The answer what the mind can and what it cannot do with regard to the state of its thoughts. Moses. It is impossible for…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.18 — Comparison of a soul and a millstone. And this movement of the heart is not unsuitably illustrated by the comparison of a mill wheel, which the headlong rush of water whirls round, with revolving impetus, and which…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.19 — Of the three origins of our thoughts. Above all we ought at least to know that there are three origins of our thoughts, i.e., from God, from the devil, and from ourselves. They come from God when He vouchsafes to…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.20 — About discerning the thoughts, with an illustration from a good money-changer. We ought then carefully to notice this threefold order, and with a wise discretion to analyse the thoughts which arise in our hearts,…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.21 — Of the illusion of Abbot John. In this manner we have heard that Abbot John who lived at Lycon, was recently deceived. For when his body was exhausted and failing as he had put off taking food during a fast of two…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.22 — Of the fourfold method of discrimination. This power of discriminating will then be necessary for us in the fourfold manner of which we have spoken; viz., first that the material does not escape our notice whether it…vatican.va
• Conferences I–X I.23 — Of the discourse of the teacher in regard to the merits of his hearers. At this the old man seeing that we were astonished, and inflamed at the words of his discourse with an insatiable desire, stopped his speech for…vatican.va