The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter XXIX, Part I

St. John understands that we are out of our depths whenever we try to capture with words what comes through experience. This is true in particular of the heights of prayer, contemplation, and with dispassion. John’s language is poetic and thus a reflection of his straining to present us with the end of the spiritual life and what the heart longs for the most.

In concluding his teachings on prayer, he warns us of certain pitfalls to avoid in order that our focus might remain upon Christ. Above all he does not want us to become discouraged by the attack of the evil one. Such a thing is to be expected. Prayer is so beautiful and transformative that the demons are going to do everything they can to disrupt it. Yet, John would have us understand that the demons are scourged by prayer and when we show fortitude they flee. Finally, he would have be confident in the practice of prayer. There is nothing that one can write in a book that is necessary when we have God himself as the Teacher of prayer. It is the Holy Spirit that searches the depths of God the guides us forward.

Dispassion is even more difficult to capture with mere words for it describes one who has made his flesh incorruptible and has subdued all the senses; keeping his soul before the face of the Lord and always straining towards him. One is not only detached from the things of this world but has a gathered an exhaustible store of virtue as a source of strength. They are driven no longer by fear, but now only love; love that cannot be understood by mere reason. The soul is drawn forward by an urgent longing that belongs only to those who are created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, St. John sees dispassion as purity of heart; where a person has reached a level of existence where sin has no hold upon them and there is no longer even any awareness of the presence of demons. Such an individual is wholly united with God and always will be.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:05:24 Gregory Chura: Which step?   00:06:05 Bob Cihak, AZ: p. 240, #58   00:07:29 Myles Davidson: Can I ask what edition of The Ladder we are reading from?   00:08:08 Adam Paige: Paulist Press edition page 281 🙂   00:09:01 Adam Paige: The introduction is excellent too, although it doesn’t contain the Letter to the Shepherd at the end   00:11:21 Bob Cihak, AZ: p. 240, #58   00:15:46 Kevin & Lilly: Aren't we supposed to expose our wound (sin) in its entirety for Jesus to heal it (in the confessional)? Similar to removing the band-aid, even if it hurts us?   00:21:42 Cindy Moran: Some things you can not "unsee"   00:26:26 susan: I get attacked walking up to communion and then I feel   00:26:48 susan: like I have done something wrong   00:29:02 Anthony: I also think having undergone at least once a spiritual attack, a person anticipates it and therefore brings it to mind?   00:31:05 Christian Corulli: Love of God destroys all fear   00:56:07 Christian Corulli: This sounds like the 7th Mansion of St. Teresa, can we make that comparison? Do the Carmelites trace the same spiritual path as St. John Climacus?   01:08:10 David: Is there an element of experience or getting older in this step. My grandfather always used to say youth is a process of acquiring and drive and growing old is the challenge of learning to let go. Through suffering, experience I can see more an more elements of dispassion or not feeling as connected to what many seek in the world and am left with only what endures which is family and faith.   01:22:15 David: Saving us from ourselves   01:22:38 Maureen Cunningham: Thank You Blessing to all   01:23:06 Gregory Chura: Thank you, everyone,   01:23:06 Tracey Fredman: Reacted to "Thank You Blessing t..." with ❤️   01:23:07 Cindy Moran: Thank you Father !!!   01:23:10 Anthony Kinyon (Αντώνιος Κινγιόν): Thank you Fr. Charbel.   01:23:10 Jeff O.: Thank you!!   01:23:10 David: Thank you father and God bless you and your mom   01:23:11 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:23:16 Cameron Jackson: Overwhelmed again. Thank you Fr.   01:24:13 Alexandra: Thank you Father. I'll pray for you