On Asceticism and Delusion #
The foundation of Christian life is growth in the Holy Spirit, so that the spirit in man may govern the flesh, and not the flesh the spirit. The holy fathers—hermits and ascetics—have left us, for our instruction, a teaching on bodily abstinence. A person needs only as much food as is necessary to live and to keep the body in a vigorous condition. However, the practice of asceticism harbors a certain danger. For a person who is inexperienced, untried in spiritual matters, and only just beginning to take his first steps in the Christian life, premature and intensified bodily abstinence may lead to sad consequences—namely, a false spirit of delusion (prelest’) and various illnesses. Thus, ascetic practice, when expressed in excessive austerity, is like medicine taken not according to a prescription, but on one’s own initiative. We see how a person, seemingly with good intentions and spiritual zeal for the sake of salvation, begins to undertake ascetic exercises, but in fact finds himself far from Christ.
Metropolitan Korniliy of Moscow and All Rus’ during the Old Believer procession to the River Velikaya, 2009.
One may perform thousands of prostrations, live on nothing but bread and water, and yet not have peace, humility, or love for one’s neighbor in the soul. This is not the acquisition of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, but a spiritual sickness—a demonic infection that must be treated, and which only an experienced spiritual father, possessing the gift of discerning spiritual failings, can heal. Ascetic labor must be undertaken under the guidance of an experienced spiritual guide, with humility and prudence, laying “brick by brick” in the edifice of one’s own salvation.
“Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20), says the Apostle Paul. The human body is the temple of our soul. Christ Himself, on Mount Tabor, showed the apostles what is prepared for the human body after a righteous life in the Lord. Not only our soul, but also our transfigured body, after the general resurrection, is destined for eternal life. So if the Lord God, in His wise Providence, has prepared such a reward for our body, how then should we treat our body? Sensible rules of fasting, restraint from harmful habits, and maintaining health with medical support—all these are pleasing to the Lord. Labor and moderation will only strengthen and adorn our body in a proper harmony and will aid us on the path to spiritual perfection.