David Given Schwarm

Married, Father, United

Tag: Prayer

  • Face Fears

    1. Face fears
    2. Clean house
    3. Do not run
    4. Be honest
    5. Remember weekends

  • Elder Joseph the Hesychast


    Acts of charity, almsgiving and all the external good works do not
    suppress the arrogance of the heart; but noetic meditation, the
    labor of repentance, contrition and humility — these humble the
    proud mind.

  • 48. Disease of Knowing

    To know one’s ignorance
    is the best part of knowledge.
    To be ignorant of such knowledge
    is a disease.
    If one only regards it as a disease,
    it can soon be cured.
    The wise are exempt from this disease.
    Knowing it for what it is makes one free of it.

  • St. Theodore of Edessa


    Wine makes glad the heart of man’ (Ps. 104:15). But you who have
    professed sorrow and grief should turn away from such gladness and
    rejoice in spiritual gifts. If you rejoice in wine, you will live
    with shameful thoughts and distress will overwhelm you.

  • 34. Satisfaction

    When one’s attainments
    appear incomplete,
    one goes on working forever.
    When one’s possessions
    are inadequate,
    one goes on acquiring forever.

    That which is straight might appear crooked.
    That which is wise might appear foolish.
    That which is eloquent might appear awkward.

    One movement overcomes cold;
    another overcomes heat.
    Yet with stillness and emptiness
    one my conquer the world.

  • XVII–The Star

    “Most optomistic and beautiful card in the deck”–that is good news! And I like the idea of focusing on my strengths rather than weaknesses.

  • Water

    1. Water
    2. Earth
    3. Fire
    4. Air
    5. Elements are good

  • Listen First

    1. Listen First
    2. Pay attention
    3. Treat everyone with loving kindness
    4. Know right from wrong
    5. Read hard things

  • Morning Meditation


    I have started using one of Lisa’s high end candles in the morning.

  • 14. Praising The Unfathomable

    The Tao is not to be seen.
    The Tao is not to be heard.
    The Tao is not to be touched.
    It is not bright above nor dark beneath.
    Infinite in operation, it is without name.
    Issuing forth, it enters into itself.
    Its appearance is not apparent,
    its for is nonexistent.
    This is the unfathomable mystery of Tao.

    It has no beginning.
    It has no end.
    It cannot be found.

    To regulate one’s life by understanding Tao
    is to have found the path.