The Spiritual Life and How to be Attuned to it

1. The Multifaceted Nature of Human Life: Spirit, Soul, and Body

Human life is complex and multi-faceted. It has physical, mental and spiritual aspects.

Three Realms of Existence. St. Theophan emphasizes that human beings are not simply physical entities but are composed of three distinct yet interconnected realms: the body, the soul, and the spirit. Each realm has its own unique needs, powers, and modes of operation, and true human flourishing requires the harmonious development and satisfaction of all three.

The Body's Needs. The physical aspect of human life encompasses the body's organs, systems, and needs, such as food, drink, sleep, and sensory stimulation. While caring for the body is essential, St. Theophan cautions against excessive indulgence in bodily comforts, which can lead to a neglect of the soul and spirit.

The Soul's Role. The soul, with its intellectual, desiring, and sensual aspects, serves as an intermediary between the body and the spirit. It is responsible for processing sensory information, forming thoughts and desires, and guiding our actions in the world. However, the soul can be easily swayed by worldly temptations and passions, leading to inner turmoil and a disconnect from the spiritual realm.

2. Worldly Life vs. Spiritual Life: A Stark Contrast

As long as you are not living in the spirit, do not expect happiness.

Emptiness of Worldly Pursuits. St. Theophan critiques worldly life, characterized by its focus on material possessions, social status, and fleeting pleasures, as ultimately empty and unsatisfying. He argues that such a life fails to nourish the deeper aspects of human nature, leading to a sense of futility and discontent.

Spiritual Slavery. Worldly life, driven by egoism and hypocrisy, deprives individuals of true freedom and subjects them to the tyranny of social expectations and the pursuit of fleeting desires. St. Theophan observes that in worldly circles, people often engage in superficial interactions, concealing their true selves and desires behind a facade of politeness and conformity.

The Path to True Happiness. In contrast to the emptiness of worldly life, St. Theophan presents spiritual life as the path to true and lasting happiness. By prioritizing the needs of the spirit and cultivating a relationship with God, individuals can find inner peace, joy, and fulfillment that transcends the limitations of the material world.

3. The Soul's Yearning: Intellect, Desire, and Sense

In the mental part, the yearning for the ideal in the soul appears from the action of the spirit.

The Intellectual Aspect. The intellectual aspect of the soul encompasses our capacity for thought, reason, and knowledge. St. Theophan emphasizes the importance of engaging in substantial intellectual labor, seeking to understand the world around us and to form clear and accurate concepts about reality.

The Desirous Aspect. The desirous aspect of the soul is governed by the will, which directs our actions and seeks to satisfy our needs and desires. St. Theophan cautions against inconstancy, disorder, and selfish desires, urging us to cultivate prudence and to align our will with the pursuit of virtue and the common good.

The Sensual Aspect. The sensual aspect of the soul, centered in the heart, is responsible for our emotions and feelings. St. Theophan warns against allowing the passions to dominate the heart, which can lead to inner turmoil and a distorted perception of reality. Instead, he encourages us to cultivate a love for the beautiful and to seek out experiences that uplift and ennoble the soul.

4. The Spirit's Influence: Idealism, Virtue, and Beauty

The spirit, as a force which has come from God, knows God, seeks God, and in Him alone finds rest.

The Spirit's Divine Origin. St. Theophan identifies the spirit as the divine spark within us, breathed into us by God at creation. The spirit is the source of our deepest longings, our capacity for faith, and our yearning for the transcendent.

Yearning for the Ideal. The spirit inspires us to seek the ideal in the intellectual realm, to contemplate the meaning and purpose of existence, and to strive for a deeper understanding of God and His creation. This yearning manifests as a desire for knowledge, wisdom, and truth.

Desire for Virtue. The spirit also inspires us to seek virtue in the active realm, to perform selfless deeds, and to live in accordance with God's commandments. This desire manifests as a commitment to justice, compassion, and love.

Love for Beauty. Finally, the spirit inspires us to seek beauty in the sensual realm, to appreciate the wonders of creation, and to create works of art that reflect the divine beauty of the invisible world. This love manifests as a yearning for harmony, order, and aesthetic perfection.

5. The Primacy of Spiritual Life: A Return to Human Dignity

A person in whom there is no motion and action of spirit does not stand on the level of human dignity.

The Hierarchy of Human Existence. St. Theophan establishes a hierarchy of human existence, with spiritual life at the apex, followed by intellectual life, and finally, physical life. He argues that true human dignity is achieved when the spiritual predominates, subordinating the intellectual and physical to its higher purpose.

The Dangers of Imbalance. When the intellectual or physical aspects of life dominate, individuals become distorted and alienated from their true selves. St. Theophan warns against the dangers of excessive intellectuality and carnality, which can lead to a neglect of the spirit and a descent into a state of spiritual emptiness.

The Norm of Human Life. St. Theophan asserts that spiritual life is the norm for human existence, the state for which we were created by God. By living in the spirit, we can achieve wholeness, harmony, and fulfillment, and realize our full potential as human beings.

6. The Role of Grace: Transforming and Illuminating the Soul

The covering of our soul...is made of this very same element. The soul itself is the immaterial spirit; but its covering is made from this ethereal immaterial element.

The Subtle Covering of the Soul. St. Theophan introduces the concept of a subtle, ethereal covering of the soul, which serves as an intermediary between the soul and the body. This covering, composed of a substance finer than light, is also the means by which our souls communicate with the world of saints and angels.

The Brightness of a Pure Soul. The state of the soul is reflected in the brightness of its covering. A soul filled with holy thoughts and feelings radiates light, while a soul darkened by passions and impurities appears gloomy and obscured.

The Transforming Power of Grace. Through the sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation, we receive the grace of the Holy Spirit, which begins to transform and illuminate our souls. This grace, like leaven in dough or fire in iron, gradually permeates our entire being, purifying us from sin and drawing us closer to God.

7. The Warfare Within: Combating Passions and Temptations

The passions are not natural to us, but alien; and the emotions of the heart are agitated and disturbed by reason of these very passions.

The Source of Inner Turmoil. St. Theophan identifies the passions as the primary source of inner turmoil and disorder. These alien forces, rooted in selfishness and pride, agitate the heart, cloud the mind, and lead us astray from the path of virtue.

The Nature of Temptation. The enemy, seeking to ensnare us, first enters into the stream of our thoughts, kindling passionate desires and agitating the heart. If we do not resist, we are drawn into a whirlpool of turbulent emotions and desires, leading to spiritual downfall.

The Weapons of Warfare. To combat the passions, St. Theophan emphasizes the importance of vigilance, self-control, and prayer. By guarding our hearts from temptation, cultivating humility, and seeking God's help, we can resist the allure of the passions and maintain our spiritual integrity.

8. The Power of Remembrance: God, Death, and Judgment

The spirit, as a force which has come from God, knows God, seeks God, and in Him alone finds rest.

The Importance of Remembering God. St. Theophan stresses the importance of unceasing remembrance of God as a means of staying on the true path. By keeping God always in our thoughts, we can cultivate a sense of reverence, gratitude, and dependence on Him, which will guide our actions and protect us from temptation.

The Memento Mori. In addition to remembering God, St. Theophan encourages us to remember death and the judgment that awaits us. This awareness of our mortality can help us to prioritize the things that truly matter and to live each day with a sense of urgency and purpose.

The Universal Yearning. This is expressed in the universal yearning for the supreme good, and is more clearly seen also in the universal dissatisfaction with everything created. What does this dissatisfaction signify? It signifies that nothing created is capable of satisfying the spirit.

9. The Importance of a Prayer Rule: Connecting with the Divine

For such prayer is the life of the spirit. Here the spirit dwells in God and unites with Him, and in this is the entire force of its life.

Prayer as Spiritual Lifeblood. St. Theophan emphasizes the centrality of prayer in the spiritual life. He describes prayer as the very lifeblood of the spirit, the means by which we connect with God, receive His grace, and find strength to overcome temptation.

The Value of Structure. While spontaneous prayer is valuable, St. Theophan also stresses the importance of establishing a regular prayer rule. This structured approach helps us to cultivate discipline, focus our attention, and ensure that we are consistently turning to God in prayer.

Personalizing Prayer. St. Theophan encourages us to personalize our prayer rule by incorporating our own words, expressing our specific needs and desires to God in a heartfelt and sincere manner. He also suggests memorizing prayers and psalms, which can help us to maintain focus and avoid distractions during prayer.

10. The Value of a Spiritual Guide: Seeking Counsel and Discernment

Seeking counsel is not an exceptional but, in fact, an essential aspect of the ascetic way.

The Danger of Self-Reliance. St. Theophan cautions against the dangers of self-reliance in the spiritual life. He emphasizes the importance of seeking counsel from a trusted spiritual guide who can offer wisdom, discernment, and support.

Independence from Self. Seeking counsel is not about dependence on others but about independence from self. There can never be any rigid, any uniform way of achieving this purpose.

The Role of Obedience. St. Theophan highlights the importance of obedience to spiritual authority, which helps us to overcome pride and to cultivate humility. By submitting to the guidance of a wise and experienced mentor, we can avoid the pitfalls of self-deception and stay on the path to spiritual growth.

11. Turning Burdens into Blessings: Finding God in Everyday Life

God arranges the lot of each person, and the entire course of life of each one is also His all-good industry, as is each moment and each meeting.

God's Providence in Daily Life. St. Theophan encourages us to see God's hand in every aspect of our lives, even in the midst of difficulties and challenges. He argues that God uses our circumstances to teach us valuable lessons, to refine our character, and to draw us closer to Himself.

Transforming Suffering. By embracing our burdens with faith and humility, we can transform them into opportunities for spiritual growth. St. Theophan reminds us that even the smallest act of kindness or service, performed with love and devotion, can be a source of great blessing.

The Power of Perspective. The particular quality or, shall we say, the inner beauty of St. Theophan’s letters lies in the fact that he never presents the Kingdom of Heaven and the path which leads to it with colors of fear but always through the fine nuances of God’s love, which shines upon every breathing soul.

12. The Ultimate Goal: Union with God and Eternal Life

The spirit comes from God, it seeks God, it wants to taste Him and, abiding in the living communion and bond with Him, it rests in Him.

The Yearning for the Divine. St. Theophan emphasizes that the ultimate goal of human life is union with God. This union is achieved through faith, love, and obedience to God's commandments, and it culminates in eternal life in His presence.

The Promise of Immortality. St. Theophan offers a vision of immortality, not as a mere continuation of earthly existence, but as a transformation into a state of perfect communion with God. In this state, we will be freed from suffering, sin, and death, and we will experience the fullness of joy and peace.

Living for Eternity. By keeping our focus on the eternal, we can find meaning and purpose in our earthly lives. St. Theophan encourages us to live each day with the awareness that we are preparing for eternity, and to strive to live in a way that is pleasing to God.

Last updated: April 1, 2025