Asceticism: Freeing the Soul by Binding the Body

1. Asceticism: Freeing the Soul by Binding the Body Servants’ Meeting October 19, 2008

2. What is Asceticism? • The doctrine that a person can attain a high spiritual and moral state by practicing self-denial, self-mortification (a feeling of humiliation or shame, as through some injury to one's pride or self-respect), and the like. • Rigorous self-denial; extreme abstinence; austerity.

3. Misconceptions • Just for the clergy and monks! • Not practical for the layperson…

4. It was told of Abba Netras that when he dwelt in his cell on Mount Sinai, he treated himself prudently, with regard to the needs of his body; but when he became bishop of Pharan, he curbed himself with great austerities. His disciple said to him, “Abba, when we were in the desert, you did not practice such asceticisim.” The old man said to him, “There in the desert, I had internal peace and poverty and I wished to manage my body so as not to be ill and not need what I did not have. But now I am in the world and among its cares and even if I am ill here, there will be someone to look after me and so I do this in order not to destroy the monk in me.”

5. Misconceptions • What is the point of starving myself or being so tough on my body? • God wants us to enjoy life, not to be miserable • All these reflect a superficial understanding

6. Our Culture • Rejects the idea of asceticism • Pleasure and joy are the goals • “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” • As a result, we enjoy pampering ourselves and surrounding ourselves with excess and luxury • By doing this we fall into a trap • “any compassion on the self is a devilish attempt to revive its private will and desire” –Fr. Matta El-meskeen • These things tie us to earthly things and therefore bind our souls

7. Examples of Ascetics • The Lord Jesus Christ • “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Matt 8:20) • “In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, ‘Rabbi, eat.’ But He said to them, ‘I have food to eat of which you do not know.’” (John 4:31-32) • “And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.” (Matt 4:2) • “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” (Mark 1:35)

8. Examples of Ascetics • “After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” (John 13:5) • “Then Pilate said to Him, ‘Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?’ But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.” (Matt 27:13-14) • Why is it that no sugar is permitted in the preparation of the Korban?

9. Examples of Ascetics • St. John the Baptist • “So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.” (Luke 1:80) • “Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.” (Matt 3:4) • “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) • Considered among the first of the ascetics or monks of the New Testament

10. Examples of Ascetics • St. Paul the Apostle • “in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings” (2 Cor 6:5) • “in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—” (2 Cor 11:27) • “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” (1 Cor 15:9) • Elijah the Prophet • The fathers of the wilderness

11. What are Some Ascetic Practices? • Fasting • Observance of church fasts • Personal fasts • Length of fast • Quantity of food I eat • “the demons attack when the stomach is full” • Preparation of food • Variety of food • Food substitutes • Sweets

12. What are Some Ascetic Practices? • Prayer • Regular, occasional, or not at all • “People say that if you feel no inclination to pray, then it is better not to pray; but this is crafty, carnal sophistry (false argument). If you only pray when you are inclined to, you will completely cease praying; this is what the flesh desires. ‘The kingdom of heaven suffers violence’ (Matt 11:12). You will not be able to work on your salvation without forcing yourself.” –Fr. John of Kronstadt • Length of prayer • Depth of prayer

13. What are Some Ascetic Practices? • Prostrations • Sign of humility and repentance • Discipline for the flesh • Bowing to the ground as a reminder • A request for mercy • The movement of the body is an expression of the heart

14. What are Some Ascetic Practices? • Self-Denial and Binding the Ego • What is my opinion of myself? • Am I a blessing or am I simply blessed? • My role in the family of service and the Body of Christ • How do I deal with insults? • What is my response when I am treated unfairly? • Do I enjoy being praised? • Am I self-absorbed or unassuming? • Do I focus on my rights or on my sins? • What do I do when I am overlooked?

15. How Can Asceticism Free Me? • “Desiring nothing, fearing nothing in this world, I seemed to myself to stand, as it were, on the summit of things.” –St. Gregory the Great • “I felt I was on top of the world when I needed nothing and feared no one.” –St. Augustine • Every worldly pleasure I engage in, binds me to the dust, and makes me a worldly person • Every time I engage in an ascetic practice, I discipline my flesh and give an opportunity for my spirit to soar

16. How Can Asceticism Free Me? • By binding the ego: • “Beware of thinking highly of yourself. Never feel that without you the world would stop. For your self would seem great and grand in your own eyes. Know instead that God could use another to do the work better than you… If you boast of your intelligence or virtue, God will leave them to you as merely human gifts. They will then turn into corruption, loss, and damage.” –Fr. Matta El-meskeen

17. How Can Asceticism Free Me? • “If you wish to free your soul by the shortest and simplest way, sit down every day under the discipline of grace. Examine your thoughts, movements, intentions, purposes, words, and deeds in the light of God’s word. It is then that you shall discover the corruption of the ego, its imposture, slyness, deception, vanity, and lack of chastity…” –Fr. Matta El-meskeen

18. How Can Asceticism Free Me? • “Mortification of the appetite, nightlong toil, a ration of water, a short measure of bread, the bitter cup of dishonor—these will show you the narrow way. Derided, mocked, jeered, you must accept the denial of your will. You must patiently endure opposition, suffer neglect without complaint, put up with violent arrogance. You must be ready for injustice, and not grieve when you are slandered. You must not be angered by contempt and you must show humility when you have been condemned. Happy are those who follow this road and avoid other highways. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” --St. John Climacus

19. Our Own Experience • During the Great Fast • During Pascha Week • Great Friday • Apocalypse Night

20. How Do I Measure My Asceticism? • What is my approach to fasting? • In what ways do I practice self-denial? • How attached am I to entertainment? • How often do I deny myself pleasure of any kind? • How materialistic am I? • How often am I tough on myself? Is it easy for me to make excuses for myself? • Bottom line: am I convinced of asceticism?