Prayer & Spiritual Life
73 writings in Prayer & Spiritual Life. Clear
Prayer & Spiritual Life
What is watchfulness (nepsis)?
Watchfulness is paying attention to what’s happening inside your own head. That’s the simplest way to put it. The Greek word is nepsis , and…
Prayer & Spiritual Life
What is guarding the heart?
Guarding the heart means paying attention to what’s happening inside your mind and stopping destructive thoughts before they take root. It’s spiritual watchfulness. The Orthodox…
Prayer & Spiritual Life
What is the Orthodox understanding of the heart?
When we talk about the heart in Orthodox Christianity, we don’t mean the organ pumping blood through your chest. We mean something deeper. The heart…
Prayer & Spiritual Life
What is nous in Orthodox theology?
The nous is the eye of your soul. It’s the spiritual organ God gave you to perceive Him directly. Most people coming from Protestant or…
Prayer & Spiritual Life
What is theoria?
Theoria is the vision of God. Not thinking about God or studying theology, but actually seeing Him. In Orthodox teaching, salvation isn’t a one-time event…
Prayer & Spiritual Life
What is the uncreated light?
The uncreated light is God himself, coming to us. Not a metaphor. Not a created thing like sunlight or lamplight. It’s the actual energy of…
Prayer & Spiritual Life
What are the stages of spiritual growth?
The Church Fathers describe spiritual growth in three stages: purification, illumination, and theosis. But these aren’t steps you climb like a ladder. They overlap, circle…
Prayer & Spiritual Life
What is purification, illumination, and theosis?
These three words describe how salvation actually works in your life. Not how you got saved once at a youth rally, but how God is…
Prayer & Spiritual Life
How do I know if I’m making spiritual progress?
You probably don’t. And that’s okay. The saints tell us that the surest sign you’re growing spiritually is that you’re increasingly aware of how far…
Prayer & Spiritual Life
Should I have a spiritual father?
Yes, you should. A spiritual father is a priest or elder who guides you in your spiritual life. Think of him as a doctor for…
Prayer & Spiritual Life
What is spiritual direction?
Spiritual direction is the ongoing relationship between a Christian and a more experienced guide, called a spiritual father or spiritual mother, who helps that person…
Prayer & Spiritual Life
How often should I see my spiritual father?
There’s no fixed schedule. The relationship between you and your spiritual father is personal, not programmatic, and how often you meet depends on where you…
