David Given Schwarm

Married, Father, United

Tag: Prayer

  • Treatise on the Seven Spiritual Weapons


    (1) to be careful always to do good


    (2) to believe that we can never achieve anything truly good by ourselves


    (3) to trust in God and, for His love, never to fear the battle against evil, either in the world or in ourselves


    (4) to meditate frequently on the events and words of Jesus’ life, especially His passion and death


    (5) to remember that we must die


    (6) to keep the benefits of heaven firmly in our minds


    (7) to be familiar with Holy Scripture, keeping it in our hearts to guide all our thoughts and actions

  • Abba Dioscorus

    If we wear our heavenly robe, we shall not be found naked, but if we are found not wearing this garment, what shall we do, brethren?

    We, even we also, shall hear the voice that says, “Cast them into outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.” (Matt. 22:13)

    And, brethren, there will be great shame in store for us, if, after having worn this habit for so long, we are found in the hour of need not having put on the wedding garment.

    Oh what compunction will seize us!

    What darkness will fall upon us, in the presence of our fathers and our brethren, who will see us being tortured by the angels of punishment!

  • CASE 85: The National Teacher’s Gravestone

    Emperor Shukusô asked Chû, the national teacher, “What would you wish me to do after a hundred years?”

    The national teacher said, “Make a seamless gravestone for this old monk.”

    The emperor said, “I should like to ask you, master, for a design.”

    The national teacher remained silent for a long time.

    Then he said, “Did you understand?”

    The emperor said, “I didn’t understand anything.”

    The national teacher said, “I have a Dharma successor, my disciple Tangen, who is well versed with this matter.”

    Afterwards the emperor called Tangen and asked him about the meaning of this.

    Tangen responded:
    “The south of the river, north of the lake:
    In between there’s gold, which fills the whole land.
    Under the shadowless tree all people are in one boat;
    In the crystal palace there is no one who knows.”

  • St. Amvrosy of Optina


    Bringing doxology to the One born of the Virgin in church hymns and spiritual songs,

    we must,

    outside the church as well,

    unceasingly praise Him and give Him thanks for His ineffable loving kindness to us sinners,

    who are atoned by His honorable blood and who have received through this promise life eternal,

    blessed,

    and unceasing.

  • CASE 84: Gutei’s One Finger


    Whatever he was asked, Master Gutei simply stuck up one finger.

  • CASE 83: Dôgo’s Nursing the Ill

    Isan asked Dôgo, “Where have you come from?”

    Dôgo said, “I come from nursing the ill.”

    Isan said, “How many people are ill?”

    Dôgo said, “There are some ill, and some not ill.”

    Isan said, “The one who is not ill – isn’t that you, dear Chi?”

    Dôgo said, “Ill or not ill – it has nothing to do with ‘that’ matter. Say it quickly! Say it quickly!”

    Isan said, “Even if I could say it, it would have no connection with that matter.”

  • St. Paul of Obnora

    Have unfeigned love among yourselves,

    keep the tradition,

    and may the God of peace be with you and confirm you in love.

  • Abba Elias


    Observe your thoughts,

    and beware of what you have in your heart and your spirit,

    knowing that the demons put ideas into you so as to corrupt your soul by making it think of that which is not right,

    in order to turn your spirit from the consideration of your sins and of God.

  • CASE 82: Unmon’s: "Voice" and "Color"

    Unmon instructed the assembly and said,

    “‘To realize the way through hearing a voice, to enlighten the mind through seeing color’

    — Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara comes with some small change and buys poor rice cakes.

    If he throws it away, he will get nice manjû cakes instead.”

  • CASE 81: Gensha Reaches the Province


    Gensha came to the Province Hoden.

    He was welcomed with great entertainment.

    The next day he asked the head priest, Shôtô, “All the revelry of yesterday – where has it gone?”

    Shôtô held out the corner of his Buddhist garment.

    Gensha said, “Far from it — no connection at all.”