How to BE PRESENT. How to let go of the Past & how to live in the Present

Summary

The speaker discusses the importance of embracing solitude and separation from the world as a foundational step in spiritual growth, drawing on teachings from Saint John of the Ladder. They relate this concept to various life situations, including monastic life, marriage, and singlehood, emphasizing the need to focus on the present reality of one's 'cell' or life context. The discussion also touches on the dangers of allowing past experiences to distort our perception and interactions, advocating for a grounded, authentic approach to spiritual practices like prayer and fasting.

Takeaways

• 🌙 The speaker intended to record a video on prayer at night but was unable to due to a migraine, which paradoxically provided a fitting introduction to the topic.
• 🛌 Migraine and pandemic lockdowns have forced people to stay inside, mirroring the spiritual concept of separation from the world for focused growth.
• 🌿 Saint John of the Ladder emphasizes that spiritual growth begins with separation from the world, a principle applicable to all Christians, not just monastics.
• 🏠 The concept of 'aloneness' or separation from the world is interpreted differently by various individuals, such as hermits, monastics, married people, and singles.
• 🔑 Our vows before God define our 'aloneness' and what constitutes our 'world', which we must leave behind to be alone with Him in our spiritual journey.
• 📚 The story of a disciple unable to pray, keep vigil, or fast illustrates the importance of staying within one's 'cell' or personal spiritual space to learn and grow.
• 🧘‍♂️ The speaker suggests that being confined within our 'cells'—be it a family, monastery, or single life—can be seen as an opportunity for spiritual growth rather than a limitation.
• 🤔 The speaker warns against allowing past experiences to distort our present reality, which can lead to misjudgments and emotional reactions based on false perceptions.
• 💔 The pain of past hurts can be a barrier to genuine interaction and spiritual growth if we allow it to cloud our perception of current relationships.
• 🛡️ The speaker argues that grounding ourselves in the present reality of our lives, rather than the fantasy of our past, is essential for true spiritual growth.
• ✝️ The ultimate goal is to stay present in our 'cells', allowing the reality of our lives to teach us how to pray, fast, and keep vigil in a genuine and meaningful way.

Q & A

Why did the speaker postpone the recording of the video?

The speaker postponed the recording due to a migraine that prevented them from working the previous night.

What is the main theme of the small booklet being discussed in the video?

The main theme of the booklet is prayer at night.

How does the speaker relate their personal experience with migraines to the broader spiritual message?

The speaker uses their migraines as a metaphor for being confined and the opportunity it presents for spiritual growth, similar to how people might feel during a pandemic lockdown.

According to Saint John of the Ladder, what is the first step in spiritual growth?

Saint John of the Ladder defines separation from the world as the first step in spiritual growth.

How does the speaker suggest that different life situations can be seen as a form of separation from the world?

The speaker suggests that whether one is a hermit, a monastic, a married person, or single, each has a unique way of leaving the world behind and being alone with God, such as living in a desert, within monastery walls, in a marriage, or embracing single life as a cross.

What advice does the speaker give for those who feel they cannot pray, keep vigil, or fast?

The speaker advises that if one cannot pray, keep vigil, or fast, they should go into their 'cell', lock the door, and stay inside, where their cell will teach them everything.

What does the speaker mean by 'cell' in the context of the video?

In this context, 'cell' refers to the personal space or state of being where one is separated from the world to focus on their spiritual growth, which could be a literal cell, a family for a married person, a monastery for a monastic, or the Church and friends for a single person.

Why is it important to stay in the reality of our 'cell' according to the speaker?

Staying in the reality of our 'cell' is important because it is the foundation for real spiritual growth, allowing us to interact with the world and people around us without the distortions of past experiences and fantasies.

How does the speaker describe the danger of allowing the fantasy world of our past to influence our present?

The speaker describes it as a form of idolatry, where we allow false criteria and virtues created from our past to judge the world and people around us, instead of responding according to the commandments of Christ.

What is the speaker's view on the relationship between our past experiences and our ability to grow spiritually?

The speaker believes that our past experiences, if not properly managed, can hinder our spiritual growth by creating a fantasy world that distorts our perception of reality and leads us away from genuine interaction with the present.

What blessing does the speaker hope for their audience at the end of the video?

The speaker hopes for God to bless every pore of their hearts and bodies and for everyone to be saved by the prayer of all the Saints and the Theotokos.