On Guarding the Mind and the Heart - St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024
- This foundational text comes from “A Handbook of Spiritual Counsel” by St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite. This particular chapter is a summary of the principles and practices found in the Philokalia. According to Fr. Maximos Constas, this should be read before beginning the Philokalia. St. Nikodemos, the great man of prayer and illumined teacher of Athos, guides the faithful in the method of spiritual healing and noetic progress.
Especially key in seeking to apply the teaching of St. Nikodemos is to be under the guidance of a true spiritual father. He can help you take the next steps based on who you are and your current stage of spiritual progress. If you do not have a spiritual father, ask God for the grace to find the one meant for you.
This is the first recording of the newest contributer to Orthodox Wisdom: Timothy D. He cam into the Church in 2018 and lives in Alabama. Please pray for Timothy and give thanks to God for another co-laborer with Orthodox Wisdom!
A word about the nous:
The English word that best conveys the meaning of the Greek word "νοῦς" is the word "mind." The Fathers use this term with several other meanings, too. They mainly refer to the nous as the soul (the "spiritual nature" of a man-St. Isaac the Syrian) and the heart (or "the essence of the soul"-vid. Philokalia, Vol. I, p. 109, 73). More specifically, it constitutes the innermost aspect of the heart (St. Diadochos §§79, 88). However, they also refer to it as the "eye of the soul" (St. John of Damascus, The Orthodox Faith, FC Vol. 37, p. 236) or "the organ of theoria" (Makarian Homilies) which "is engaged in pure prayer" (St. Isaac the Syrian). They call the energy of the nous "a power of the soul" (St. Gregory Palamas, On the Holy Spirit, 2, 9) "consisting of thoughts and conceptual images" (St. Gregory Palamas, On the Hesychasts, p. 410, 3). However, the nous is more commonly known as the energy of the soul, whereas the heart is known as the essence of the soul. (From the glossary of “Counsels from the Holy Mountain” by Elder Ephraim of Philotheou and Arizona)
From “On Guarding the Mind of the Heart”:
"In guarding the heart and keeping it pure, one can also keep all the divine commandments of Christ. For in truth this is how it is. The guarding of the mind and the heart and the spiritual prayer of the heart that is thus made possible has as its subject matter the commandment to love God. But by virtue of the power of this one commandment all of the other commandments are also included and fulfilled. This is why the Lord said: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15)."
“The memory of God is a pain to the heart [that is done] for the sake of piety; everyone who forgets God experiences sweetness by remains unhealed.” -St. Mark the Ascetic
"When the mind of a person becomes accustomed to entering the heart, to converse with his inner consciousness and to find his will and to contemplate upon himself and all his activities, it does not remain without joy and gladness. Thus, as when a person who has been away from home rejoices to return and to see his wife and his children, so also the mind rejoices to return to the heart."
"By rising up through this spiritual work and by removing the dirt and the ashes of evil passions and thoughts and superstitions from your heart, which contains within itself the covered spark of the supernatural grace of God, you will also find this very spark which Christ came to light upon the earth of the heart. And when you do discover this most precious spark in your heart you will experience an ineffable joy and this joy will cause you to shed tears of great sweetness. Afterward, by placing over this spark as kindling the work of the life-giving commandments of the Lord and the various other acquired virtues, and by blowing upon them with fervent willingness and love, you will light up a strange and supernatural fire in your heart. Rather it will be Jesus whom you remember who will light this fire, and who will burn up with His warmth the evil passions and the demons that attack you, banish the insults of evil thoughts, and sweeten the whole inner disposition of your heart-granting you joy, peace, love for God, and love for your neighbor."
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I pray daily; “Come Holy Spirit, Come! Guard my heart, mind, mouth and tongue. Give me the Words of The Holy One.” It’s very edifying l
Come holy spirit guard my heart mind mouth and tongue
Abba father give me the words actions of holy One God help me see the Angels with grace .
Aren't you righteous!?
Praying these very words could have the potential of leading you well yourself.
@@Morgoth_the_TyrantAs you are sarcastic.
Thanks for another inestimable upload. These words particularly struck me for their depth and truth: "While the mind is easily cleansed, it can also be easily polluted. The heart however, as it is cleansed with great difficulty, it is also difficult to be polluted." Saint Isaac the Syrian
Isaac of Nineveh
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_of_Nineveh
Thank you brother, the Orthodox way is truth in action, it is food for the soul, the Orthodox Church is heaven on earth, narrow is the way few who find it.
Wow! Very intense... esoteric...heavy... profound....deep... guidance in engaging with the mysteries
I came here today for refuge to cope with the man made deception in the sky on innocent humans who are many, that cannot see what they are doing. And there it is again, just beyond the cross, on the cover of this video. Please lord grant me respite, please speak to my mind, heart and soul through this teaching. My heart feels like it is growing weary and dry. Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.
You’re right, the modern phenomena in the sky is tragic. I see it in my town too. We can’t stop the spirit if the age but we can help preserve ourselves and those close to us from its harmful effects. Be courageous in the sight wickedness.
@@OrthodoxWisdom Thank you so much for your wisdom!
I appreciate so much your validation and ability to see the situation with grace. I’ve brought the topic up one other time (I deleted the comment as to not draw attention to myself) and you suggested reading the teachings of the elders and specifically mentioned Elder Thaddious, this helped me tremendously as well as this video today that I was listening to today.
I appreciate you and this channel so much, some days things are so isolating, and I am here for solace and glean much more.
Many many thanks. You’re awesome and you make such a positive difference more than you know. 🙏🏼♥️ May God grant you many blessings always.
Glory to God. The grace of God is God Himself, and we call Him in our daily prayer to the Holy Spirit “the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth”
@@OrthodoxWisdom ♥️
Even though the sky alteration is in plain site for all to see, many will get angry and dismiss it. There is a spiritual veil that causes many people to deny what is overtly being done. Alternately the people who do see it have Grace from God to recognize this evil intent. Lord we pray to keep our minds on you in this spiritual battle. God bless my brothers and sisters in Christ, knit our hearts together through your Love, Amen
Excellent content, brother. Keep up the good work. ☦
The True Psychology of the Heart!
The true psycology of the soul
Truly a Man of God
This video came to me as a grace from God
Thank you. I appreciate your recordings very much. While I understand the virtue and necessity of recording works that are more polemical in nature and address contemporary issues within the Church, I find the most value in pieces such as this one, as well as in your patristic recordings, that are more tuned to one’s personal spiritual life. The kind of things you might hear read in a refectory. Just a little user feedback.
Absolutely. I agree. I’m constantly trying to offer a variety of things and not simply record what I’m am quickly drawn to and that which will get a reaction. Thank you.
All of the contemporary issues are the result of us not guarding our hearts
I do agree we need guidance spirit of person .. you are very wise
God bless. 🙏🕊☦️
Great wisdom.
Wisdom
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisdom
Thank you! May I recommend the reader slow down just a LITTLE bit in the future! Not much, just a little.
Change the playback speed to your liking.
You can control play back speed by selecting the “gear” icon. I also sometimes wish for a slower speed.
Whoa, never knew about playback speed. Thanks!
I agree. This topic cannot be digested in a rush.
Great job of narration.
This is profound. I will take the time to listen to this another time!
Thank you.
Come holy spirit guard my heart mind mouth and tongue
Abba father give me the words actions of holy One God help me see the Angels with grace . Go away Satan
Glory to God ❤
This is deep
Amen! Brilliant ❤
Upload to Spotify ASAP! 🙏🏻☦️
Sorry for the delay. Here you go: open.spotify.com/episode/4ADRolDXU9LWbBz0vKD9MU?si=7g7yUzYiRNOt65xZeLIWKQ
@@OrthodoxWisdom thank you God bless!
Great narration, if a tiny bit fast? 🙏🏻☦️🙏🏻🥰 thank you for this important ministry!
Thanks for the feedback 😊
Chemtrails in the thumbnail …
Maybe " esoteric" is a wrong word...since secret knowledge is attached to it...and Orthodox is transparent....so I will trade it in for....what a divine revelation...for me
Esoteric is a double blade word.. Right in the right conscience.. Wrong from the dark souls
This is great , I have listened to this many times . Will there be other sections of this counsel by st Nicodemus that will be created in audio form like this .
God willing. I’d love to record more from St. Nikodemos
I have bought the book now hope you record some more. Thank you for replying to me . I am
Also currently reading the Triads , also translated by fr Peter.
AMEN 🙏🏻 ♥️ 🎚
Hey, what do you think about the Western Rite Orthodox Church?
I'm Western Rite.
Do you have a question?
@@susanlacy5225 Is the Western Rite Orthodox Church accepted by the Eastern Orthodox Church.
@@Unknown86483 yes it is fully canonical
western rite is a distraction and unnecessary. St John Maximovitch speaks out against it and compares the WR to baby's milk for those who cannot handle real, adult food. The WR is yet another way the evil one divides the true Church and was never meant to be a permanent solution.
Its so unfamiliar for me to pray.. You dont tell God of all eternity of all grace wht to do.. Im
44 and i don't know how to pray.. Whatever u do do with all ur heart.. Im terrified unable to distinguish true from untrue
lunacielo5705...there are Orthodox prayer books...with a variety of prayers for a variety of topics....to begin is right where you are....saying what you have just said to the Lord....that you do not know how to pray....teach me!
This is also what saying "The Prayer of the Heart "...also called the "Jesus Prayer" is all about."Lord...Jesus Christ...Son and Word of God...have mercy on me...a sinner." It can also be shortened.
Many Saints speak on this prayer...The power of it!
I love the simplicity of it...and I am not praying for my will to be done...even if it wonderful things for others.
It connects our mind and heart...and we are calling on Jesus...we are confessing him as Lord....and for me it was important to confess myself as a sinner.
"Lord...Jesus Christ...have mercy on me...a sinner"
your prayer can be thank you
Hi. Begin with saying Glory to the Holy Trinity. Give thanks fir everything you have ever received and still continue to receive from God. And ask for forgiveness of your sins. I dont like reading the prayers from a book because it feels not real to me. So I use my own words. And when I feel I am done, I say this is everything for today and prostrate again. But I continue to ask for forgiveness even afterwards. I pray for forgiveness more than anything, for mine and everyone elses. May it be so. Maybe this can help you. May God bless you.
So would the mind be the activity of the nous?
The nous can engage with the mind, but the activity of the nous goes beyond the mind and all words and human concepts because it’s this part of us that is the core of our being and our communion with the uncreated energies of God.
@@OrthodoxWisdom I think what makes it confusing is that nous is translated as mind but yet is not the mind as we know it In the west
Exactly. Be patient and prayerfully press into the deeper experience and awareness of this.
@@diegobarragan4904 Mind as used in philosophy - metaphysical substance; not mind as in thoughts, etc.
Bump
🤗 p̴r̴o̴m̴o̴s̴m̴
Thank you.
Another wonderful presentation thanks so much. Tim did a fantastic job. Also thanks for sharing the link to the book. What a treasure! God bless you all! 🙏
You are doing god's work here.
Thank you so much for the download of this book! 🕊🙏🏼❤🥰
So helpful! I would like to ask if you have time to answer, where can I purchase this actual book. Cannot find it searching through google. Again, thanks so much I relisten and grasp stuff so much better 2nd and 3rd time around hear and notice new things. So helpful!
I procure my tears for my loved ones, and I contemplate my heart..God bless you guys, thanks
Thank you
I felt my thoughts flow within my heart through the filter of Christs blood
I wish I could move to a holy mountain and meditate all day.
What's stopping you?