Now in its second printing, this modest work is an anthology of spiritual advice given by various of the nineteenth-century teachers of Optina Monastery in central Russia, organized thematically under headings such as spiritual warfare, the love of neighbor, faith, the will of God, the education of children, the commandments of God, the path of salvation, etc. Each piece of advice varies in length from a single sentence to a full paragraph. Pithy, immediately accessible, and universally applicable, these counsels resemble the sayings of the ancient Desert Fathers. Appropriate both for prolonged study and for daily devotional reading. Optina Elders (Author) : George Schaefer (Editor) : Living Without Hypocrisy Spiritual Counsels of the Holy Elders of Optina By George Schaefer Holy Trinity Publications Copyright © 2009 Holy Trinity Monastery All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-88465-092-8 CHAPTER 1 REVERENCE One must treat holy books and holy objects with reverence. Above all, one must have fear of God, for it teaches reverence, and it teaches everything good. Careless and irreverent treatment of holy things is a result of habit. This must not happen. St. Nikon Perform every work attentively, no matter how unimportant it may seem, as if being done before the face of God. Remember that the Lord sees everything. St. Nikon GRACE The action of grace never leads anyone to despair, but grants the gift of tenderness, joy, long-suffering and spiritual peace. St. Leo GIVING THANKS TO GOD Gratitude in a Christian is such a great thing that, along with love, it accompanies him into the future life, where he will celebrate with them the eternal Pascha. St. Ambrose It is disastrous to endlessly grieve and unnecessarily castigate oneself, for we must in all ways thank the Lord for all things, for those punishments with which He may have chastised us in this world. St. Leo We must give thanks for all things to the Lord, Who has rightly given us difficulties that we may learn patience, which is more beneficial than comforts, and ennobles the soul. St. Moses BLESSING That which is done with a blessing is greatly pleasing to God, so let us live that every small step of ours is blessed. St. Anthony One should not do anything without a blessing. If lay people seek the advice of a more experienced person in matters that are more or less important, all the more must a monk remain in obedience. St. Barsanuphius BLESSEDNESS There are various degrees of blessedness, depending on the merits of each person: some will be with the Cherubim, others with the Seraphim, and so on, but let us be content to be numbered among the saved. St. Barsanuphius THE BATTLE WITH LUST The passion of lust wars against everyone, and at the toll-houses the demon of lust will boast before all the princes of darkness that he provided hell with more spoils than all the rest. Be patient, and implore Divine help! St. Anatoly WEALTH Wealth consists not of many possessions, but of a good conscience, which, apart from corruptible wealth, already has its own rewards, for God is mighty and grants us what is needful. St. Leo The essence of wealth is not in material things, but what we have within ourselves. No matter how much you give a person, you will not satisfy him. St. Anatoly It is a mistake to think that wealth or abundance, or even sufficient means would be beneficial or reassuring. The rich worry even more than the poor and impoverished. Poverty and being in want are closer to humility and to salvation if only the one who is poor does not become fainthearted, but with faith and hope relies on the all-good Providence of God. Until this day the Lord has fed us, and He has the power to do so in the future. St. Ambrose Abundance and plenty spoil people. From fat, as they say, even animals go mad. St. Ambrose KNOWLEDGE OF GOD If we strive to cleanse our hearts from the passions, then according to the amount that we have purified ourselves, Divine Grace will open the eyes of our hearts to the vision of the true Light; for as it is written, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matt. 5:8), but only when we perfect ourselves through humility, for through humility the mysteries are revealed. St. Macarius The Lord will teach you His ways (Ps. 24:9). So it says in the psalm. God does teach man His ways, but only when that man is meek and humble. God teaches only such people. St. Nikon The story of Job is an example for every person. As long as a man is rich, famous, and content, God pays him no mind. When a man is on a dung heap, rejected by everyone, then God appears and converses with him, and the man in return cries out, "Lord have mercy!" St. Nektary DIVINE SERVICES Without the visible Holy Church, there could not be the Holy Mysteries of Christ, without which man could not inherit eternal life. Prayers during church services have so much power and significance that just the words, "Lord, have mercy' surpass all the sp