School for Prayer (12) – Evagrius of Pontus (4)
By Fr Craig Larkin sm, 1943 - 2015
Building up Resistance
Each of the logismoi is resisted or counteracted by a virtue or a good habit:
To resist the logismos of Gluttony
Be moderate in eating and drinking
Undertake fasting from time to time or don’t eat between meals
Do manual work
Develop the habit of spiritual reading
To resist the logismos of Lust
Pay attention to your thoughts; notice where these thoughts come from, and when they come to you
Watch over your body; avoid a soft and easy life
Undertake a disciplined work life
Pray for an increase in your desire/thirst for God
To resist the logismos of Avarice
Serve the poor
Make a conscious distinction between “what I need” and “what I want”
Remember death; “there are no pockets in a shroud”
To resist the logismos of Anger
Practice kindness; practice compassion;
Practice serving others in community
Do not correct others when you are angry with them
To resist the logismos of Sadness
Develop a spirit of gratitude and thankfulness
Read Scripture
To resist the logismos of Vainglory
Do works of charity in secret
Pray for a spirit of penthos, realization of sinfulness
To resist the logismos of Pride
Do not judge others
Do not always fight to control your personal space
Accept the unexpected things
Allow others to express their opinions;
Listen to others’ opinions
Consciously pray for specific people
To resist the logismos of Acedia
Develop a routine of work; stick to the task
Do manual work; do physical exercise
Develop an attitude of gratitude
Resist cynical thoughts
Making it Personal
The ascetical teaching of Evagrius is very relevant for today. Evagrius teaches that the human person is made up of Body and Soul.
The Body gains its knowledge from the five senses.
The Soul is composed of three powers:
The rational power (the head)
The concupiscible power (the heart)
The irascible power (the gut)
Each of us acts from one of the three “centres” of our being:
the head, the heart or the gut
The ‘Head’ Person
If you are a ‘head’ person:
Ideas are important: knowledge is important: truth is important: right thinking is important: knowing who is right and who is wrong is important: finding out things is important.
BUT:
The “cracks in the heart” for you may be: using knowledge to gain power over others: not sharing knowledge: being over-curious: wanting to control others: not wanting others to have power over you: wanting to control your environment: being judgemental of others: being self-sufficient: not connecting with others.
Your Logosmoi
The logismoi that most affect you are Vainglory and Pride.
The ‘Heart’ Person
If you are a ‘heart’ person:
Relationships are important: loving and being loved is important: making people feel at ease is important: having ideals is important.
BUT:
The “cracks in the heart” for you may be: buying good relationships at any price: not speaking truth for fear of losing friendship: desiring to “fit in” or to be liked at any cost: seducing others or flattering others: allowing yourself to be seduced: seeking comfort and a soft life: being disheartened when ideals are not met, and losing energy.
Your Logosmoi
The logismoi that most affect you are Avarice, Lust/Impurity, Gluttony.
The ‘Gut’ Person
If you are a ‘gut’ person:
Action is important: caring for others is important: doing things for others is important: acting quickly and energetically for others is important: standing up courageously for causes is important: getting the job done is important.
BUT:
The “cracks in the heart” for you may be: disillusionment at the lack of response of others: anger when frustrated: giving up in the face of opposition: moodiness.
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
- Winston Churchill
Your Logosmoi
The logismoi that most affect you are: Anger, Sadness, Acedia.
[Next month: Putting it all together]
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