A spiritual yo-yo: our constant ups and downs

Summary

The speaker addresses the struggle of maintaining spiritual growth, likening it to a 'spiritual yo-yo,' where believers experience periods of ascent followed by collapse. They question the modern craving for instant spiritual gratification versus the slow, transformative process taught by Christ and the early Church. The discourse emphasizes the need for patience, faith, and self-denial, warning against the allure of 'fast-food spirituality' and urging a return to deep-rooted, authentic spiritual practices.

Takeaways

• 🌱 The spiritual life is compared to a 'yo-yo', with periods of growth followed by collapse, reflecting a struggle to maintain consistency in spiritual development.
• 🔄 The speaker observes a pattern of starting over repeatedly in spiritual journeys, suggesting a lack of sustained progress.
• 📚 Reference is made to St. John of the Ladder, who presents spiritual life as an ascent of ladders, indicating a need for continuous, upward growth rather than a cycle of collapse and restart.
• 🍃 The desire for 'fast food spirituality' is critiqued, implying that instant gratification and quick results are detrimental to genuine spiritual growth.
• 💔 A perceived weakness in faith is identified, where believers seek immediate proof and results instead of trusting in the unseen guidance of Christ.
• 🕊️ The importance of patience, hope, and faith is emphasized, suggesting that these virtues are essential for enduring spiritual growth.
• 🌼 The script contrasts the slow, deep-rooted growth nurtured by the Holy Spirit with the superficial, instant gratification offered by worldly temptations.
• 🌳 The metaphor of a plant's growth is used to illustrate the necessity of time and patience in spiritual development, as with natural growth.
• 🚫 The speaker warns against the judgment and assessment of spiritual progress, advocating instead for obedience and trust in divine guidance.
• 🙏 A call for self-denial and surrender to Christ is made, as this is seen as the path to true spiritual nourishment and transformation.
• 🌟 The script concludes with a blessing and a reminder of gratitude for the support of the community, highlighting the importance of unity and shared faith.

Q & A

What is the 'spiritual yo-yo' phenomenon described in the script?

The 'spiritual yo-yo' phenomenon refers to the cycle of spiritual highs and lows where individuals experience a temporary spiritual uplift followed by a collapse, only to start over again without making lasting progress.

Why does the speaker believe that people are drawn to 'fast food spirituality'?

The speaker suggests that the attraction to 'fast food spirituality' is due to a lack of faith, patience, and a desire for instant gratification, which is a reflection of our modern culture's influence on our spiritual lives.

What does the speaker compare the spiritual life to in terms of growth?

The speaker compares the spiritual life to climbing a ladder, where each rung represents a step of growth, but many people seem to collapse and have to start over on the same rung repeatedly.

How does the speaker describe the difference between 'fast food spirituality' and true spiritual nourishment?

The speaker describes 'fast food spirituality' as quick and superficial, providing immediate but false satisfaction, whereas true spiritual nourishment is slow, deep, and transformative, requiring patience and faith.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of faith in spiritual growth?

The speaker emphasizes that faith is crucial for spiritual growth, stating that if one truly believes in Christ's teachings and behaves accordingly, it should be enough to sustain hope for eternal salvation, regardless of immediate visible results.

What role does patience play in the speaker's perspective on spiritual development?

Patience is portrayed as an essential quality for spiritual development, as it allows for the slow and often invisible process of growing deep roots in Christ, which is necessary for true spiritual transformation.

Why does the speaker suggest that people are like Thomas, needing proof?

The speaker implies that people's faith is weak when they require proof or immediate results to validate their spiritual actions, comparing this to Thomas who needed to touch Jesus' wounds to believe in his resurrection.

What does the speaker mean by 'growing roots in Christ'?

The phrase 'growing roots in Christ' symbolizes the process of deepening one's spiritual connection and commitment to Christ, which is foundational for genuine spiritual growth and transformation.

What is the speaker's advice on overcoming the 'spiritual yo-yo' effect?

The speaker advises to cultivate more patience, less judgment and self-assessment, and to fully place oneself in Christ's hands, embracing a long-term perspective on spiritual life rather than seeking instant gratification.

How does the speaker describe the spiritual journey of previous generations compared to the current one?

The speaker contrasts the spiritual journey of previous generations, who were obedient and faithful without seeking immediate results, with the current generation's struggle with instant gratification and a lack of patience in spiritual growth.

Outlines

00:00

🕊 Spiritual Struggles and the Yo-Yo Effect

The speaker addresses the recurring theme of spiritual ups and downs, likening it to a yo-yo, where individuals experience moments of spiritual flight followed by collapses. They observe this pattern not only in themselves but also among their community members and pilgrims. The speaker questions the modern inclination towards 'fast food spirituality' and the reluctance to embrace a deeper, more transformative spiritual journey as taught by Christ and the Church Fathers. The issue is identified as a lack of faith, patience, and the need for instant gratification, which contrasts with the slow, steady growth that true spiritual transformation requires.

05:01

🌱 The Illusion of Instant Spiritual Growth

This paragraph delves into the desire for immediate spiritual results, comparing it to the unrealistic expectation of a plant growing to fruition within a day. The speaker criticizes the tendency to abandon spiritual practices that do not yield immediate outcomes, likening it to a diet of 'spiritual fast food' that is ultimately unsatisfying and deceptive. They advocate for a return to the teachings of Christ and the Apostles, emphasizing the importance of obedience, faith, and patience in spiritual growth. The speaker warns against the dangers of seeking quick fixes and instant gratification, which can lead to spiritual stagnation and deception.

10:05

🙏 Embracing the Slow Burn of Spiritual Transformation

The final paragraph emphasizes the need for patience, self-denial, and a long-term perspective in one's spiritual journey. The speaker calls for less judgment and assessment of spiritual progress, advocating instead for a deeper commitment to Christ and His teachings. They highlight the importance of establishing a solid foundation of faith and allowing for the slow, invisible process of spiritual growth to unfold. The speaker encourages the audience to trust in Christ's guidance and to reject the false promises of instant spiritual satisfaction, ultimately aiming for a transformation that may be completed in the Kingdom of God.

Keywords

💡Spiritual life

Spiritual life refers to the aspect of human existence that is concerned with the spirit or soul, and the pursuit of spiritual growth and connection with the divine. In the video, the speaker discusses the ups and downs of spiritual life, comparing it to a 'yo-yo' effect where people experience moments of spiritual high followed by collapses. The theme of the video revolves around understanding this cycle and seeking a more stable and profound spiritual journey.

💡Faith

Faith is a belief in something, especially in the absence of empirical evidence, often associated with religious or spiritual convictions. The video emphasizes the lack of faith as a reason for the spiritual 'yo-yo' effect, suggesting that a deeper faith in Christ and the teachings of the Apostles could lead to a more consistent spiritual path without the need for constant validation or proof.

💡Instant gratification

Instant gratification is the desire to experience satisfaction or fulfillment immediately, without delay. The speaker criticizes the modern tendency to seek 'fast food spirituality,' where individuals crave immediate results from their spiritual practices, rather than embracing the slow, transformative process that true spiritual growth requires.

💡Transformation

Transformation refers to a profound change in form, appearance, or character. In the context of the video, transformation is the ultimate goal of spiritual life, where an individual undergoes a deep, inner change that is nurtured by faith and patience, rather than seeking quick, superficial results.

💡Ladder of virtues

The 'ladder of virtues' is a metaphor used by St. John of the Ladder to describe the spiritual journey as a series of ascending steps, each representing a virtue to be cultivated. The video uses this metaphor to illustrate the idea that spiritual growth should be a steady ascent, but instead, many people find themselves repeatedly starting over due to a lack of patience and faith.

💡Spiritual struggle

Spiritual struggle refers to the challenges and efforts involved in one's spiritual journey. The speaker mentions the need for patience and faith in the face of spiritual struggle, suggesting that the desire for immediate results can hinder the natural process of spiritual development.

💡Self-denial

Self-denial is the act of restraining one's desires or impulses, often as a form of spiritual discipline. The video encourages self-denial as a means to focus less on personal gratification and more on the long-term process of spiritual growth and transformation.

💡Assessment

Assessment is the process of evaluating or judging something. The speaker warns against the constant assessment of one's spiritual progress, suggesting that this can lead to a focus on immediate results rather than the slow, steady growth that true spiritual life requires.

💡Pilgrims

Pilgrims are individuals who undertake a journey, often with a spiritual purpose. In the video, the speaker mentions the pilgrims in Scotland, indicating that the spiritual 'yo-yo' effect is a common experience among those on a spiritual journey, and that community and shared experiences can provide support and insight.

💡Inner change

Inner change refers to a transformation that occurs within a person's mind or spirit, as opposed to external changes. The video emphasizes the importance of inner change as the true goal of spiritual life, which is cultivated through patience, faith, and self-denial, rather than through seeking external validation or quick results.

💡Christ

Christ, in a religious context, refers to Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity. The video repeatedly refers to Christ as the source of spiritual guidance and the model for the kind of spiritual life that is being discussed, emphasizing the teachings of Christ and the Apostles as the foundation for a deep and enduring spiritual journey.

Highlights

The spiritual yo-yo effect where individuals experience highs and lows in their spiritual journey.

The struggle with instant gratification in spirituality, seeking quick results rather than a slow, transformative process.

The comparison of spiritual life to climbing a ladder, where individuals often fall back instead of progressing upwards.

The critique of modern spirituality as a 'fast food' approach, lacking in depth and true nourishment.

The importance of faith and patience in spiritual growth, as opposed to seeking immediate proof or results.

The impact of societal expectations on spiritual life, leading to a desire for instant results and gratification.

The contrast between the slow, invisible growth of spiritual roots and the false, quick-fix spirituality offered by the world.

The need for a long-term perspective in spiritual life, focusing on the process rather than immediate outcomes.

The call for less judgment and assessment in spiritual practice, to allow for genuine obedience and faith.

The recognition of the Holy Spirit's role in slow, transformative nourishment, as opposed to the plastic nourishment of the world.

The analogy of planting a seed and the necessity of waiting with patience, hope, and faith for its growth.

The warning against the voices of doubt and the importance of trusting in Christ's teachings and guidance.

The encouragement to embrace the slow burn of inner transformation rather than seeking quick, superficial spirituality.

The acknowledgment of the spiritual struggles of the community and the call for support and prayers.

The gratitude expressed for the community's involvement and the role they play in the spiritual journey.

The blessing offered to the listeners, encouraging them to find light in Christ amidst their struggles.

Transcripts

hello my dear

ones what is wrong with us why is it

that we seem to be starting a new every

other day why is it that we seem to be

flying high in our spiritual lives for a

little while and then we collapse all

over again and again we start and again

we collapse and again it's like we have

these wings that help us to take off and

fly towards Christ only to lose them in

an instant

as if we' never had them

before what is this game of up and down

of what do you call that thing when you

have a bowl and you kind of do this with

it uh yo-yo what is this game of a

spiritual yo-yo that has become our life

for the majority of us I see this not

only in my own spiritual life but also

in the questions that we receive uh in

our emails and especially so from the

members of our online community

I see that in the questions that they

have for us I see that in the questions

that our pilgrims have have for us we

are now once again because it is summer

again in Scotland can you believe it we

are once again surrounded by our

pilgrims everyone has the same

experience of of of holding on to

something for a little while only to

lose it immediately and then to go back

to it and this seems to be the extent of

our spirit spiritual

lives if you go back to that image of a

ladder St John of the ladder presents

our spiritual lives as a growing Ascent

ladder on top of ladder and we go from

one to the other it's almost as if all

of us set foot on the first ladder and

then we

collapse and then once again we have to

set foot on the same ladder and again we

collapse it's like we never can go more

than one or two ladders before

collapsing to the ground once

again why is that happening to

us and is there a way out of this why

are we so caught up with this need for

immediate instant fast food

spirituality and why are we so reluctant

to give ourselves entirely to the type

of spirituality that Christ is teaching

us that the fathers have kept for us

from the very beginning from the

generation of the Holy Apostles all the

way to today why is it that our nature

is so weak that We crave for this bad

quality fast food spiritual

nourishment over the Slow

Burn of an inner and complete complete

change of

being which is what a spiritual person

should go

through and it is all down to our lack

of

faith our lack of patience and

judgment our lack of faith is obvious

because if we had placed our faith in

Christ and if we believed truly that

doing the things that he tells us to do

have having the behavior that he tells

us to have it should be enough for us

despite the lack of any visible signs

here in this life it should be enough to

feed our hope for Eternal

salvation and instead of that we all

behave like Thomas we all need to touch

we all need

proof instead of being part of Those

whom Christ has blessed by saying

blessed are those those who have not

seen and yet have

believed when you need

proof that what you do is the right

thing when you need to see an instant

flow an instant fruit of your spiritual

struggle in order for you to carry on in

order for you to continue this process

of

transformation then you should know that

that's a sign that your faith is not

fully on

Christ because if it were fully on

Christ you would continue through storms

or through

sunshine it's a proof of how weak our

faith actually is that we need to be

confirmed that every single step we take

that this is the right way

forward and of

course this need for in gratification

that everything around us has gotten us

accustomed to this need is also felt now

in our spiritual lives so instead of

focusing on the

slow salvific process of growing

Roots the slow invisible unnoticed but

salvific process of growing deep roots

in

Christ instead of focusing on that we

focus on having immediate fruit

immediate flower because we need that

confirmation because our faith our faith

and

our self abandonment to Christ are

almost non-existent compared to those of

previous

generations we need to stop

judging and assessing we need to stop

judging others and judging ourselves and

constantly assessing we spend our lives

assessing the results of everything we

do whereas the way I remember the

generations before my grandparents and

their parents and so on they would spend

their Liv simply doing what Christ is

teaching us to do doing the things that

were passed on from the generation of

the Apostles all the way to our

generation and not worrying whether they

see results or not and that's an act of

obedience that is an act of true faith

that is an act of abandoning yourself to

the hand of

God we require instant gratification we

want fast food nourishment we planted a

seed and you need to see it grow and

flourish and give fruit within a day and

if it doesn't then we abandon it because

you think it's not good and we move

forward to another fruit and so on and

so forth and in doing so we

reject the real seed the real food of

Salvation and we embrace the false food

of the devil just like in real life a

real fruit comes slowly a real natural

plant will develop slowly it needs to

develop Roots it needs to develop a

little plant and then leaves and then a

flower and then a fruit if you want fast

food nourishment then be sure that most

of it is nothing but plastic it's

false and the same thing happens in our

spiritual lives if we go

for the fast

food the the

quick happiness

gratification of a type of modern

spirituality then we are not being fed

by the holy spirit because the Holy

Spirit nourishes us slowly and in an

invisible way where we grow Our Roots

and only once our roots are well

established on the stone of our faith

only then fruit and flowers will

appear and it's because of this that we

go up and down it's because of this that

instead of having a natural Ascent a

natural um growth lad by lad on the lead

of Virtues that St John of the lad talks

about in our spiritual lives instead of

that we make one step forward and then

we fall back we make one step step

forward and again we collapse because we

plant that blessed beautiful seed and

instead of waiting it out with patience

Hope and

Faith we reject it because we listen to

the voices once again we listen to the

voices around us which by now have

become our own internalized voices that

tell us that unless you see an

immediate fruit

an immediate result to something you do

that is a sure sign according to this

horrible horrible vision of the world

that is a sure sign that what you do is

not right is not

blessed and that closes the door to

Christ and opens the door to all the

lies all the deceitfulness and all the

confusion of Satan because the devil

will create plastic nourishment for us

the devil will respond to this need that

he himself has created in us for instant

gratification whereas

Christ Christ requires a slow burn inner

transformation of our entire

being and that does not happen in a day

or in a week or sometimes not even in a

lifetime we just set the foundation for

that to happen and it might be fulfilled

and perfected in the Kingdom at the time

when we stand face to face with with our

Christ Our

Savior a bit more patience my beloved

ones a bit less judgment an assessment

of everything because we need to have a

longterm perspective of our spiritual

lives a bit

less need for excitement in our

spiritual lives a bit less running

around looking for miracles and proofs

and a lot more self denial and self

placing of ourselves in in Christ's hand

hand because there are no other hands as

loving as nourishing as

Christ if we did

this we would be completely different

human beings my beloved

ones be blessed wherever you are whoever

you are whatever you're struggling with

be blessed and may Christ lead you out

of all your

darkness and straight into his

light we are all grateful here both on M

and Ona we are all grateful for your

prayers for your support particularly to

our pilgrims who are traveling here and

are with us for a weekl long pilgrimage

to the islands in Scotland and also to

the members of our online community you

are our lifeline and everything we do is

made possible by

you may God's grace be upon you

all my beloved

ones amen amen amen