Category: Asceticism

who is

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Solitude is to be sought not because of the relief from those who are not there but for His sake who is

John Henry Newman

… as a punishment for criminals

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In antiquity as well as in the Middle Ages there was an awareness of this longing for solitude and a respect for what it means; whereas in the constant sociality of our day we shrink from solitude to the point (what a capital epigram!) that no use for it is known other than as a punishment for criminals. But since it is a crime in our day to have spirit, it is indeed quite in order to classify such people, lovers of solitude, with criminals.

Sickness Unto Death

Proverbs

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These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:

  1. A proud look,
  2. A lying tongue,
  3. Hands that shed innocent blood,
  4. A heart that devises wicked plans,
  5. Feet that are swift in running to evil,
  6. A false witness who speaks lies,
  7. And one who sows discord among brethren.
Proverbs 6:16-19

purgation

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Traditionally the first “step” of union with God is purgation. One of the definitions suggested by Google is “evacuation of the bowels brought about by taking laxatives.” For the follower of Jesus, it is simply being like Jesus who …

… ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσεν μορφὴν δούλου λαβών, ἐν ὁμοιώματι ἀνθρώπων γενόμενος· καὶ σχήματι εὑρεθεὶς ὡς ἄνθρωπος

… made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men

Philippians 2:7 (KJV)

Other English translations use “empty himself” for κενόω. Maybe philosophically it is a little like “nihilism” – to become nothing? For the follower of Jesus is a choice to be “nothing” so God can create.

John?

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 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 3:1-2

By what authority does John the Baptist preach?

Fourde’s Remains

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I have been coming to a resolution that, as soon as I am out of reach of observation, I will begin a sort of monastic austere life, and do my best to chastise myself before the Lord. That I will attend chapel regularly, eat little and plainly, drink as little wine as I can consistently with the forms of society: keep the fasts of the Church as much as I can without ostentation: continue to get up at six in the winter: abstain from all unnecessary expenses in every thing: give all the money I can save in charity, or for the adorning of religion. . . . I will avoid society as much as I can. . . . I will avoid all conversation on serious subjects . . . and content myself with exercising dominion over my own mind, without trying to influence others. (25–26)

quoted in
Reforming the Monastery