Let us charge into the good fight with joy and love without being
afraid of our enemies. Though unseen themselves, they can look at
the face of our soul, and if they see it altered by fear, they
take up arms against us all the more fiercely. For the cunning
creatures have observed that we are scared. So let us take up arms
against them courageously. No one will fight with a resolute
fighter.
St. John Climacus
Comments
5 responses to “St. John Climacus”
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3 comments:Given said…\”Vigorous Awareness\”. I like that concept–I like the notion that there are degrees of awareness & the vigorous type is near the top of the heap. I like the notion that via repentence there is learning–there is increased awareness. That the acting of amends leads to direct results.11/27/2006 12:01:00 PM Given said…\”Repentance is constant distrust of bodily comfort\”Distrust is very different then denial. I like that the notion of trust, which ties to feelings, is used. Distrust of just about everything seems to encourage asking questions, staying open, etc. I think that this is a very strong message.11/28/2006 10:19:00 AM Given said…\”Repentance is purification of conscience\”Yesterday was Blake\’s birthday. This sounds somehow very Blakean to me.The notion of purification is, I think, very important–the notion of Original Sin & the need for purification contradicts the TABLARASA theory that is very popular these days. The concept that their is a problem with consciousness that needs outside aid to be resolved is very helpful.11/29/2006 10:59:00 AM
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So let us take up arms against them courageously.This is very different then the Toa which teaches that the Sage does not fight with anyone or anything–that the battle is within & the fight with the demons on the outside is a distraction from the important work inside.I am not sure–I think that I clearly need to have the same battle plan inside as outside.Or maybe not–perhaps it is possible to fight on the outside different then the inside. That the maturity to know the difference between inside and outside can be used to make a difference in the world that is positive and healthy. I am going to think about this–the possibility that the obvious duality can actually teach me something & that perhaps the feigned fearlessness can win external battles and grow internal wisdom.
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Let us charge into the good fight with joy and love without beingafraid of our enemies.Yesterday, I really failed to do this–I responded with internal terror–real flashback layer fear. The fight was good & I lost. But today I can practice Joy and Love–and I will not be afraid.
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Though unseen themselvesWhy are our enemies always unseen? This is part of the notion that we can never truly know ourselves, I think, because our enemies are always within. That is where we must find the quite place. And why we need others to help and guide us.
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For the cunning creatures have observed that we are scared. I like this part a lot–I guess the cunning creatures are easy to identify some how, but clearly the notion that there are such creatures and that they have awareness of our feelings makes the universe a much more interesting place.
David Given Schwarm 
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