Unseen Warfare: The Spiritual Combat and Path to Paradise of Lorenzo Scupoli (English, Russian and Greek Edition)

There are very few spiritual books as beneficial, practical, and edifying as this one. If you consider yourself a Christian, this book is indispensable! Sts. Nicodemus and Theophan did a God-glorifying job with editing and revising this writing by Lorenzo Scupoli. In this book are topics that are not widely discussed in any Christian circle, even within Orthodoxy, unfortunately. This is a book that should be in every Christian's library, similar in rank to the Philokalia, Sayings of the Desert Fathers, St. Dorotheos' Discourses, St. Theophan's Path to Salvation, and St. Ignatius' The Field. I would say that merely reading the first 5 chapters of this book are sufficient for the price paid! Pay no heed to the criticisms of laity who object to some of the more austere admonishments in this text; wisdom dictates that not everything we read from the Fathers can be applied to our lives, nor should they be without spiritual guidance, lest we fall into the great sin of pride, prelest, and self-direction--all of which lead to our own destruction. This book should be prayerfully read, and any new rules that come to mind should be presented to your spiritual father before applying them to your life: This is the Orthodox way, and anything contrary is the way of Satan.

I probably should be ashamed to confess that I have this book of spiritual mastery in my bathroom and flip daily to random pages as it's too intense to read cover to cover. I have received REAL spiritual direction that HAS grounded and directed my prayer life. But much of it is beyond my experience and a bit repelling. I feel a bit like Herod who loved to listen to John the Baptist while not understanding a word!! The attraction IS irresistible. I've put all my other books back in the bookcase and this one book remains day by day despite conflicting passions about it.

A book written by a Catholic priest, revised by an Orthodox Greek and edited by a famous Russian Ascetic. this final version is the product of an exhaustive effort to deliver a guide to Christian perfection as it is understood and practiced by Christian ascetics in the past two millennia. it draws on the material provided by Cassian's writings about the teachings of the desert fathers in the east (In Egypt and Syria) and builds on this the experiences of both western and Eastern Christianity of later generations. I do not think this is going to be a book for the novice or beginner in these areas of contemplation and spiritual exercises. But it should be of great help for persons who aspire to reach great heights in enjoying a strong and ecstatic relationship with God. Such people are always subject to the unseen warfare described in this book and therefore this would be a very good guide book for them along the road to perfection.

Read :)

Thank you.

As a Christian pacifist, I'm extremely wary of militaristic language, in either common speech ("bullet points" or "I got bombed last night") or allegedly spiritual discourse ("Onward Christian soldiers, marching off to war..."). So I was initially put off by the title _Unseen Warfare_. But as soon as I began reading the book, it becane clear that the type of warfare discussed was quite different from what we usually take the word to mean. Scupoli (along with Nicodemus & Theophan, his Orthodox editors) argues that Christian perfection lies in aligning one's will with God's, but that this alignment is extremely difficult because an entire army of contrary "wills" resides in us, continuously dragging us away from God. In order to counter these "wills," the Christian must arm herself with "invisible weapons." The "most trustworthy and unconquerable" of them are: (1) never rely on yourself in anything; (2) always bear in your heart a perfect and all-daring trust in God alone; (3) strive without ceasing; and (4) remain constantly in prayer. It's clear that these weapons, rather than seeking to overpower by sheer brute strength, take seriously the strength-through- powerlessness that St. Paul writes about. Unseen warfare is fought not by pitting one's will against a foe, but by surrendering oneself to God; not by trusting in one's own resources, but by acknowledging dependence; not by risking everything on one flashy, dramatic battle, but by persevering, little by little, day by day; and not by drawing up battle plans so much as by ceaseless praying. The language may be militaristic, but the purport of the language actually subverts the violence and self-assertion associated with war. It speaks of self-sacrifice, love, devotion, discipline. _Unseen Warfare_ is a sobering read, because it convicts the reader (or at least it convicted THIS reader) of falling woefully short in the quest for Christian perfection. But it's also an inspiring and ennobling read, because it encourages the reader to greater resolve. Highly recommended.

Must read for all Orthodox Christians everywhere to aid you in your day-to-day encounter with the evil one.

Not that good didn't like it

could not be better!

The basic understanding of God's action in our daily lives-what is happening spiritually in a particular situation in our lives- to understand this and what action to take! How the passions impact on our understanding of God and how to turn (mechanism) the passions into virtues which are required for the salvation of man.

There are very few spiritual books as beneficial, practical, and edifying as this one. If you consider yourself a Christian, this book is indispensable! Sts. Nicodemus and Theophan did a God-glorifying job with editing and revising this writing by Lorenzo Scupoli. In this book are topics that are not widely discussed in any Christian circle, even within Orthodoxy, unfortunately. This is a book that should be in every Christian's library, similar in rank to the Philokalia, Sayings of the Desert Fathers, St. Dorotheos' Discourses, St. Theophan's Path to Salvation, and St. Ignatius' The Field. I would say that merely reading the first 5 chapters of this book are sufficient for the price paid! Pay no heed to the criticisms of laity who object to some of the more austere admonishments in this text; wisdom dictates that not everything we read from the Fathers can be applied to our lives, nor should they be without spiritual guidance, lest we fall into the great sin of pride, prelest, and self-direction--all of which lead to our own destruction. This book should be prayerfully read, and any new rules that come to mind should be presented to your spiritual father before applying them to your life: This is the Orthodox way, and anything contrary is the way of Satan.

I probably should be ashamed to confess that I have this book of spiritual mastery in my bathroom and flip daily to random pages as it's too intense to read cover to cover. I have received REAL spiritual direction that HAS grounded and directed my prayer life. But much of it is beyond my experience and a bit repelling. I feel a bit like Herod who loved to listen to John the Baptist while not understanding a word!! The attraction IS irresistible. I've put all my other books back in the bookcase and this one book remains day by day despite conflicting passions about it.

A book written by a Catholic priest, revised by an Orthodox Greek and edited by a famous Russian Ascetic. this final version is the product of an exhaustive effort to deliver a guide to Christian perfection as it is understood and practiced by Christian ascetics in the past two millennia. it draws on the material provided by Cassian's writings about the teachings of the desert fathers in the east (In Egypt and Syria) and builds on this the experiences of both western and Eastern Christianity of later generations. I do not think this is going to be a book for the novice or beginner in these areas of contemplation and spiritual exercises. But it should be of great help for persons who aspire to reach great heights in enjoying a strong and ecstatic relationship with God. Such people are always subject to the unseen warfare described in this book and therefore this would be a very good guide book for them along the road to perfection.

Read :)

Thank you.

As a Christian pacifist, I'm extremely wary of militaristic language, in either common speech ("bullet points" or "I got bombed last night") or allegedly spiritual discourse ("Onward Christian soldiers, marching off to war..."). So I was initially put off by the title _Unseen Warfare_. But as soon as I began reading the book, it becane clear that the type of warfare discussed was quite different from what we usually take the word to mean. Scupoli (along with Nicodemus & Theophan, his Orthodox editors) argues that Christian perfection lies in aligning one's will with God's, but that this alignment is extremely difficult because an entire army of contrary "wills" resides in us, continuously dragging us away from God. In order to counter these "wills," the Christian must arm herself with "invisible weapons." The "most trustworthy and unconquerable" of them are: (1) never rely on yourself in anything; (2) always bear in your heart a perfect and all-daring trust in God alone; (3) strive without ceasing; and (4) remain constantly in prayer. It's clear that these weapons, rather than seeking to overpower by sheer brute strength, take seriously the strength-through- powerlessness that St. Paul writes about. Unseen warfare is fought not by pitting one's will against a foe, but by surrendering oneself to God; not by trusting in one's own resources, but by acknowledging dependence; not by risking everything on one flashy, dramatic battle, but by persevering, little by little, day by day; and not by drawing up battle plans so much as by ceaseless praying. The language may be militaristic, but the purport of the language actually subverts the violence and self-assertion associated with war. It speaks of self-sacrifice, love, devotion, discipline. _Unseen Warfare_ is a sobering read, because it convicts the reader (or at least it convicted THIS reader) of falling woefully short in the quest for Christian perfection. But it's also an inspiring and ennobling read, because it encourages the reader to greater resolve. Highly recommended.

Must read for all Orthodox Christians everywhere to aid you in your day-to-day encounter with the evil one.

Not that good didn't like it

could not be better!

The basic understanding of God's action in our daily lives-what is happening spiritually in a particular situation in our lives- to understand this and what action to take! How the passions impact on our understanding of God and how to turn (mechanism) the passions into virtues which are required for the salvation of man.

There are very few spiritual books as beneficial, practical, and edifying as this one. If you consider yourself a Christian, this book is indispensable! Sts. Nicodemus and Theophan did a God-glorifying job with editing and revising this writing by Lorenzo Scupoli. In this book are topics that are not widely discussed in any Christian circle, even within Orthodoxy, unfortunately. This is a book that should be in every Christian's library, similar in rank to the Philokalia, Sayings of the Desert Fathers, St. Dorotheos' Discourses, St. Theophan's Path to Salvation, and St. Ignatius' The Field. I would say that merely reading the first 5 chapters of this book are sufficient for the price paid! Pay no heed to the criticisms of laity who object to some of the more austere admonishments in this text; wisdom dictates that not everything we read from the Fathers can be applied to our lives, nor should they be without spiritual guidance, lest we fall into the great sin of pride, prelest, and self-direction--all of which lead to our own destruction. This book should be prayerfully read, and any new rules that come to mind should be presented to your spiritual father before applying them to your life: This is the Orthodox way, and anything contrary is the way of Satan.

I probably should be ashamed to confess that I have this book of spiritual mastery in my bathroom and flip daily to random pages as it's too intense to read cover to cover. I have received REAL spiritual direction that HAS grounded and directed my prayer life. But much of it is beyond my experience and a bit repelling. I feel a bit like Herod who loved to listen to John the Baptist while not understanding a word!! The attraction IS irresistible. I've put all my other books back in the bookcase and this one book remains day by day despite conflicting passions about it.

A book written by a Catholic priest, revised by an Orthodox Greek and edited by a famous Russian Ascetic. this final version is the product of an exhaustive effort to deliver a guide to Christian perfection as it is understood and practiced by Christian ascetics in the past two millennia. it draws on the material provided by Cassian's writings about the teachings of the desert fathers in the east (In Egypt and Syria) and builds on this the experiences of both western and Eastern Christianity of later generations. I do not think this is going to be a book for the novice or beginner in these areas of contemplation and spiritual exercises. But it should be of great help for persons who aspire to reach great heights in enjoying a strong and ecstatic relationship with God. Such people are always subject to the unseen warfare described in this book and therefore this would be a very good guide book for them along the road to perfection.

Read :)

Thank you.

As a Christian pacifist, I'm extremely wary of militaristic language, in either common speech ("bullet points" or "I got bombed last night") or allegedly spiritual discourse ("Onward Christian soldiers, marching off to war..."). So I was initially put off by the title _Unseen Warfare_. But as soon as I began reading the book, it becane clear that the type of warfare discussed was quite different from what we usually take the word to mean. Scupoli (along with Nicodemus & Theophan, his Orthodox editors) argues that Christian perfection lies in aligning one's will with God's, but that this alignment is extremely difficult because an entire army of contrary "wills" resides in us, continuously dragging us away from God. In order to counter these "wills," the Christian must arm herself with "invisible weapons." The "most trustworthy and unconquerable" of them are: (1) never rely on yourself in anything; (2) always bear in your heart a perfect and all-daring trust in God alone; (3) strive without ceasing; and (4) remain constantly in prayer. It's clear that these weapons, rather than seeking to overpower by sheer brute strength, take seriously the strength-through- powerlessness that St. Paul writes about. Unseen warfare is fought not by pitting one's will against a foe, but by surrendering oneself to God; not by trusting in one's own resources, but by acknowledging dependence; not by risking everything on one flashy, dramatic battle, but by persevering, little by little, day by day; and not by drawing up battle plans so much as by ceaseless praying. The language may be militaristic, but the purport of the language actually subverts the violence and self-assertion associated with war. It speaks of self-sacrifice, love, devotion, discipline. _Unseen Warfare_ is a sobering read, because it convicts the reader (or at least it convicted THIS reader) of falling woefully short in the quest for Christian perfection. But it's also an inspiring and ennobling read, because it encourages the reader to greater resolve. Highly recommended.

Must read for all Orthodox Christians everywhere to aid you in your day-to-day encounter with the evil one.

Not that good didn't like it

could not be better!

The basic understanding of God's action in our daily lives-what is happening spiritually in a particular situation in our lives- to understand this and what action to take! How the passions impact on our understanding of God and how to turn (mechanism) the passions into virtues which are required for the salvation of man.

There are very few spiritual books as beneficial, practical, and edifying as this one. If you consider yourself a Christian, this book is indispensable! Sts. Nicodemus and Theophan did a God-glorifying job with editing and revising this writing by Lorenzo Scupoli. In this book are topics that are not widely discussed in any Christian circle, even within Orthodoxy, unfortunately. This is a book that should be in every Christian's library, similar in rank to the Philokalia, Sayings of the Desert Fathers, St. Dorotheos' Discourses, St. Theophan's Path to Salvation, and St. Ignatius' The Field. I would say that merely reading the first 5 chapters of this book are sufficient for the price paid! Pay no heed to the criticisms of laity who object to some of the more austere admonishments in this text; wisdom dictates that not everything we read from the Fathers can be applied to our lives, nor should they be without spiritual guidance, lest we fall into the great sin of pride, prelest, and self-direction--all of which lead to our own destruction. This book should be prayerfully read, and any new rules that come to mind should be presented to your spiritual father before applying them to your life: This is the Orthodox way, and anything contrary is the way of Satan.

I probably should be ashamed to confess that I have this book of spiritual mastery in my bathroom and flip daily to random pages as it's too intense to read cover to cover. I have received REAL spiritual direction that HAS grounded and directed my prayer life. But much of it is beyond my experience and a bit repelling. I feel a bit like Herod who loved to listen to John the Baptist while not understanding a word!! The attraction IS irresistible. I've put all my other books back in the bookcase and this one book remains day by day despite conflicting passions about it.

A book written by a Catholic priest, revised by an Orthodox Greek and edited by a famous Russian Ascetic. this final version is the product of an exhaustive effort to deliver a guide to Christian perfection as it is understood and practiced by Christian ascetics in the past two millennia. it draws on the material provided by Cassian's writings about the teachings of the desert fathers in the east (In Egypt and Syria) and builds on this the experiences of both western and Eastern Christianity of later generations. I do not think this is going to be a book for the novice or beginner in these areas of contemplation and spiritual exercises. But it should be of great help for persons who aspire to reach great heights in enjoying a strong and ecstatic relationship with God. Such people are always subject to the unseen warfare described in this book and therefore this would be a very good guide book for them along the road to perfection.

Read :)

Thank you.

As a Christian pacifist, I'm extremely wary of militaristic language, in either common speech ("bullet points" or "I got bombed last night") or allegedly spiritual discourse ("Onward Christian soldiers, marching off to war..."). So I was initially put off by the title _Unseen Warfare_. But as soon as I began reading the book, it becane clear that the type of warfare discussed was quite different from what we usually take the word to mean. Scupoli (along with Nicodemus & Theophan, his Orthodox editors) argues that Christian perfection lies in aligning one's will with God's, but that this alignment is extremely difficult because an entire army of contrary "wills" resides in us, continuously dragging us away from God. In order to counter these "wills," the Christian must arm herself with "invisible weapons." The "most trustworthy and unconquerable" of them are: (1) never rely on yourself in anything; (2) always bear in your heart a perfect and all-daring trust in God alone; (3) strive without ceasing; and (4) remain constantly in prayer. It's clear that these weapons, rather than seeking to overpower by sheer brute strength, take seriously the strength-through- powerlessness that St. Paul writes about. Unseen warfare is fought not by pitting one's will against a foe, but by surrendering oneself to God; not by trusting in one's own resources, but by acknowledging dependence; not by risking everything on one flashy, dramatic battle, but by persevering, little by little, day by day; and not by drawing up battle plans so much as by ceaseless praying. The language may be militaristic, but the purport of the language actually subverts the violence and self-assertion associated with war. It speaks of self-sacrifice, love, devotion, discipline. _Unseen Warfare_ is a sobering read, because it convicts the reader (or at least it convicted THIS reader) of falling woefully short in the quest for Christian perfection. But it's also an inspiring and ennobling read, because it encourages the reader to greater resolve. Highly recommended.

Must read for all Orthodox Christians everywhere to aid you in your day-to-day encounter with the evil one.

Not that good didn't like it

could not be better!

The basic understanding of God's action in our daily lives-what is happening spiritually in a particular situation in our lives- to understand this and what action to take! How the passions impact on our understanding of God and how to turn (mechanism) the passions into virtues which are required for the salvation of man.

There are very few spiritual books as beneficial, practical, and edifying as this one. If you consider yourself a Christian, this book is indispensable! Sts. Nicodemus and Theophan did a God-glorifying job with editing and revising this writing by Lorenzo Scupoli. In this book are topics that are not widely discussed in any Christian circle, even within Orthodoxy, unfortunately. This is a book that should be in every Christian's library, similar in rank to the Philokalia, Sayings of the Desert Fathers, St. Dorotheos' Discourses, St. Theophan's Path to Salvation, and St. Ignatius' The Field. I would say that merely reading the first 5 chapters of this book are sufficient for the price paid! Pay no heed to the criticisms of laity who object to some of the more austere admonishments in this text; wisdom dictates that not everything we read from the Fathers can be applied to our lives, nor should they be without spiritual guidance, lest we fall into the great sin of pride, prelest, and self-direction--all of which lead to our own destruction. This book should be prayerfully read, and any new rules that come to mind should be presented to your spiritual father before applying them to your life: This is the Orthodox way, and anything contrary is the way of Satan.

I probably should be ashamed to confess that I have this book of spiritual mastery in my bathroom and flip daily to random pages as it's too intense to read cover to cover. I have received REAL spiritual direction that HAS grounded and directed my prayer life. But much of it is beyond my experience and a bit repelling. I feel a bit like Herod who loved to listen to John the Baptist while not understanding a word!! The attraction IS irresistible. I've put all my other books back in the bookcase and this one book remains day by day despite conflicting passions about it.

A book written by a Catholic priest, revised by an Orthodox Greek and edited by a famous Russian Ascetic. this final version is the product of an exhaustive effort to deliver a guide to Christian perfection as it is understood and practiced by Christian ascetics in the past two millennia. it draws on the material provided by Cassian's writings about the teachings of the desert fathers in the east (In Egypt and Syria) and builds on this the experiences of both western and Eastern Christianity of later generations. I do not think this is going to be a book for the novice or beginner in these areas of contemplation and spiritual exercises. But it should be of great help for persons who aspire to reach great heights in enjoying a strong and ecstatic relationship with God. Such people are always subject to the unseen warfare described in this book and therefore this would be a very good guide book for them along the road to perfection.

Read :)

Thank you.

As a Christian pacifist, I'm extremely wary of militaristic language, in either common speech ("bullet points" or "I got bombed last night") or allegedly spiritual discourse ("Onward Christian soldiers, marching off to war..."). So I was initially put off by the title _Unseen Warfare_. But as soon as I began reading the book, it becane clear that the type of warfare discussed was quite different from what we usually take the word to mean. Scupoli (along with Nicodemus & Theophan, his Orthodox editors) argues that Christian perfection lies in aligning one's will with God's, but that this alignment is extremely difficult because an entire army of contrary "wills" resides in us, continuously dragging us away from God. In order to counter these "wills," the Christian must arm herself with "invisible weapons." The "most trustworthy and unconquerable" of them are: (1) never rely on yourself in anything; (2) always bear in your heart a perfect and all-daring trust in God alone; (3) strive without ceasing; and (4) remain constantly in prayer. It's clear that these weapons, rather than seeking to overpower by sheer brute strength, take seriously the strength-through- powerlessness that St. Paul writes about. Unseen warfare is fought not by pitting one's will against a foe, but by surrendering oneself to God; not by trusting in one's own resources, but by acknowledging dependence; not by risking everything on one flashy, dramatic battle, but by persevering, little by little, day by day; and not by drawing up battle plans so much as by ceaseless praying. The language may be militaristic, but the purport of the language actually subverts the violence and self-assertion associated with war. It speaks of self-sacrifice, love, devotion, discipline. _Unseen Warfare_ is a sobering read, because it convicts the reader (or at least it convicted THIS reader) of falling woefully short in the quest for Christian perfection. But it's also an inspiring and ennobling read, because it encourages the reader to greater resolve. Highly recommended.

Must read for all Orthodox Christians everywhere to aid you in your day-to-day encounter with the evil one.

Not that good didn't like it

could not be better!

The basic understanding of God's action in our daily lives-what is happening spiritually in a particular situation in our lives- to understand this and what action to take! How the passions impact on our understanding of God and how to turn (mechanism) the passions into virtues which are required for the salvation of man.

While a number of books on Christian spirituality discuss the ascetic means by which reunion with God can be facilitated this is one of the few I have found in English geared toward the layperson (but still relevant for the ascetic). I cannot add a great deal to what other reviewers have said except that I was pleased but not surprised to discover that St Nektarios was said to regularly read Unseen Warfare (see "St Nektarios", a Saint for Our Century). After reading this remarkable Saint's life this is no surprise. The (Orthodox) Church has exalted Nektarios to the level of the Holy Fathers evidently because he battled and defeated his passions while living in the world--an often more difficult feat than doing so in seclusion. To accomplish such instruction Unseen Warfare takes the teachings one would derive from reading the lives of the saints and/or the Philokalia and places them within an almost instruction manual setting. However, it is far more readable and alive that a simple manual. The book speaks to the reader in a fashion that a staretz would speak to his son or daughter. I would disagree with some reviewers who have said it is a good "introduction" to spirituality. If one is looking for dense theological material then indeed, Unseen Warfare, may seem more straightforward. It is also easier to read than say, the "Ascetical Homilies of St. Isaac the Syrian". However, the former such work is not intended for spiritual development and the latter is for the monk (peroperly guided by a spiritual father) who has reached a very advanced spiritual level. Moreover, putting what is said into practice (which theological material almost never concerns itself with) makes it as "deep" as the writings of St Simeon the New Theologian or Abba Dorotheos (from whom many discussions are borrowed). One thing I would suggest is to skip the introduction. It is misleading and often simply incorrect about what is going on in the text. The author (H.A. Hodges) also seems only to refer to Catholic figures as saints while disrespectfully referring to St. Nicodemus and St. Theophan as merely "Nicodemus and Theophan". Moreover, the introduction, while making an attempt to sound deeply theological is rather simple-minded, or I should say, "simple-hearted". Hodges clearly has little idea of what the essence or goal of spiritual struggle is yet he wishes to overlook its nuances in order to make the Roman and Orthodox Churches appear to be "two sides of the same coin". He neglects the fact that grace is simply more perceptible in one church than in the other and that much of this is due to the Orthodox preservation of the essential lessons contained in Unseen Warfare. Such a reductionist approach merely wastes the reader's time and delays the valuable lessons of the text. Finally, and I say this with caution, while I believe everyone needs a spiritual father (a guide who can objectively evaluate your thinking, as the book suggests) the book is an excellent guide for someone who has yet to find one BUT who prays to God that one will be given to her. Temporarily, it can suffice to answer a number of questions when no one experienced in spiritual warfare is around to assist.

This book really makes you sit and think of the spiritual battles that go on daily and we are so unaware of them. This author also wrote 'spiritual combat' another excellent book.

great book

So nourishing in the daily spiritual battle of an Orthodox Christian. Emphatically recommended!

A great book for those fighting against the temptations of this life and those presented by the enemy of man, Satan.

I had read the original version of Lorenzo Scupoli's Spiritual Combat, and was interested to see the editing of it to accommodate the spiritual goals of the Eastern Church. It was a good introduction to that spirituality for "a Westerner". The book itself was in fair condition, and arrived quite quickly after I ordered it. Thank you.

excellent

A must read for anyone serious about spiritual life

A wonderful book, a great treasure of christian spirituality.

Spiritual Warfare is more important to learn than anything else. The consequences of this fight are not finite, but ETERNAL.

There are very few spiritual books as beneficial, practical, and edifying as this one. If you consider yourself a Christian, this book is indispensable! Sts. Nicodemus and Theophan did a God-glorifying job with editing and revising this writing by Lorenzo Scupoli. In this book are topics that are not widely discussed in any Christian circle, even within Orthodoxy, unfortunately. This is a book that should be in every Christian's library, similar in rank to the Philokalia, Sayings of the Desert Fathers, St. Dorotheos' Discourses, St. Theophan's Path to Salvation, and St. Ignatius' The Field. I would say that merely reading the first 5 chapters of this book are sufficient for the price paid! Pay no heed to the criticisms of laity who object to some of the more austere admonishments in this text; wisdom dictates that not everything we read from the Fathers can be applied to our lives, nor should they be without spiritual guidance, lest we fall into the great sin of pride, prelest, and self-direction--all of which lead to our own destruction. This book should be prayerfully read, and any new rules that come to mind should be presented to your spiritual father before applying them to your life: This is the Orthodox way, and anything contrary is the way of Satan.

I probably should be ashamed to confess that I have this book of spiritual mastery in my bathroom and flip daily to random pages as it's too intense to read cover to cover. I have received REAL spiritual direction that HAS grounded and directed my prayer life. But much of it is beyond my experience and a bit repelling. I feel a bit like Herod who loved to listen to John the Baptist while not understanding a word!! The attraction IS irresistible. I've put all my other books back in the bookcase and this one book remains day by day despite conflicting passions about it.

A book written by a Catholic priest, revised by an Orthodox Greek and edited by a famous Russian Ascetic. this final version is the product of an exhaustive effort to deliver a guide to Christian perfection as it is understood and practiced by Christian ascetics in the past two millennia. it draws on the material provided by Cassian's writings about the teachings of the desert fathers in the east (In Egypt and Syria) and builds on this the experiences of both western and Eastern Christianity of later generations. I do not think this is going to be a book for the novice or beginner in these areas of contemplation and spiritual exercises. But it should be of great help for persons who aspire to reach great heights in enjoying a strong and ecstatic relationship with God. Such people are always subject to the unseen warfare described in this book and therefore this would be a very good guide book for them along the road to perfection.

Read :)

Thank you.

As a Christian pacifist, I'm extremely wary of militaristic language, in either common speech ("bullet points" or "I got bombed last night") or allegedly spiritual discourse ("Onward Christian soldiers, marching off to war..."). So I was initially put off by the title _Unseen Warfare_. But as soon as I began reading the book, it becane clear that the type of warfare discussed was quite different from what we usually take the word to mean. Scupoli (along with Nicodemus & Theophan, his Orthodox editors) argues that Christian perfection lies in aligning one's will with God's, but that this alignment is extremely difficult because an entire army of contrary "wills" resides in us, continuously dragging us away from God. In order to counter these "wills," the Christian must arm herself with "invisible weapons." The "most trustworthy and unconquerable" of them are: (1) never rely on yourself in anything; (2) always bear in your heart a perfect and all-daring trust in God alone; (3) strive without ceasing; and (4) remain constantly in prayer. It's clear that these weapons, rather than seeking to overpower by sheer brute strength, take seriously the strength-through- powerlessness that St. Paul writes about. Unseen warfare is fought not by pitting one's will against a foe, but by surrendering oneself to God; not by trusting in one's own resources, but by acknowledging dependence; not by risking everything on one flashy, dramatic battle, but by persevering, little by little, day by day; and not by drawing up battle plans so much as by ceaseless praying. The language may be militaristic, but the purport of the language actually subverts the violence and self-assertion associated with war. It speaks of self-sacrifice, love, devotion, discipline. _Unseen Warfare_ is a sobering read, because it convicts the reader (or at least it convicted THIS reader) of falling woefully short in the quest for Christian perfection. But it's also an inspiring and ennobling read, because it encourages the reader to greater resolve. Highly recommended.

Must read for all Orthodox Christians everywhere to aid you in your day-to-day encounter with the evil one.

Not that good didn't like it

could not be better!

The basic understanding of God's action in our daily lives-what is happening spiritually in a particular situation in our lives- to understand this and what action to take! How the passions impact on our understanding of God and how to turn (mechanism) the passions into virtues which are required for the salvation of man.

Inspirational and uplifting. Lots to think about and try to assimilate

With all due respect to those reviewers that have found this work helpful, I was actually quite disappointed. I am still in the process of reading the book, but I find many of the concepts within it unorthodox. Despite the editing that was done by SS. Theophan and Nicodemus, I am very aware as I read, that this is the work of a Roman Catholic, not an Orthodox writer. Constant references to our total depravity (very strongly implied), God being "offended," an emphasis on the Passion (kissing the wounds of Christ), and God allowing us to fall into sin to teach us a lesson; these are some of the Latin teachings that permeate this work. "...There is nothing He (God) loves and desires to see in us more than a sincere consciousness of our nothingness...and that nothing good can ever come from ourselves, whether a good thought or a good action." (p.82) According to Bishop Kallistos, "Orthodox do not say, as Calvin said, that man after the fall was utterly depraved and incapable of good desires...the image of God is distorted by sin, but never destroyed." I know men and women that are even atheists (and I pray that they come to the truth), but I know from experience they are capable of some good thoughts and actions. There are many examples of men and women in the scriptures that were found pleasing to God by their own actions, for example, the Centurion that asked the Lord to heal his servant, and the Lord stated, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." )Luke 7: 1-9) In defense of this work, even some Orthodox works, those that originate from a monastic source, often over-emphasize man's depravity. It comes with the territory. I am no Orthodox scholar, and I am glad that this work has assisted so many in their spiritual struggle, but I have read many Orthodox works, and as I stated above, I am very aware as I read this, that much of it comes from a non-Orthodox mindset. May Christ have mercy on me, a sinner.

The advantage of this book is remarkable. It began in the west by in the 16th century by a Catholic Priest Lorenzo Scupoli who lived in Italy. Its title translated into English as Spiritual Combat. After several steps and centuries it reach final form with the great Orthodox Saint Theophan the Reclusein Russia. Thus it is the combined insights of both Catholicism and Orthodoxy. And therefore is common ground for discussion by both! A thrilling read by any measure.. .

Spiritual Warfare is learning how to resist or reject the thoughts and impulses that is generate from our will and learning how to unite ourselves to God’s will, by understanding and learning and applying God’s truths to our life. Because we are a fallen people, our will is not rooted in God’s Kingdom but rather is rooted in the devil’s kingdom and rooted in the natural impulses of earthly existence. One begins their spiritual warfare when they understand that God is truth and they have to work at uniting themselves to this truth. It is through our warfare that we grow in union with Christ, and it is through Christ that we begin to live. Buy this book and you will learn that this warfare is a lifelong undertaking and union with God is a blessed adventure.

`For the good that I would do, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do' Romans 7:19 Very many wish to be vouchsafed the Kingdom without labours, without struggles, without sweat; but this is impossible. If you love the glories of men, and desire to be worshipped, and seek comfort, you are going off the path. You must be crucified with the Crucified One, suffer with Him that suffered, that you may be glorified with Him that is glorified. - Abba Macarius of Egypt How many times have you sought to please God - and yet no matter how hard you try, you fall? And the same thing happens over and over again. The words of St Paul ring true for many people - as much as we seek to please God, we cannot. Why? According to Unseen Warfare, the number one reason is self-reliance. Instead of acknowledging ourselves as weak and trusting in God, we trust in our efforts alone. This book thus seeks to challenge and change the struggler's methods in battling for their salvation. There are four main methods suggested in this book - (i) Do not trust in yourself but in God alone (ii) Pray with warm hearted, humble prayers (iii) Be wary of the evil one and his traps at all times (iv) If you transgress, quickly turn to repentance but do not despair. The book elaborates on each of these four points and gives solid advice on how to conquer your passions. In addition to this, there is a separate section devoted to prayer, where suggestions are made on how we should accustom ourselves to pray with all sincerity before God. This book has drawn a certain amount of criticism from some reviewers. One reviewer (astonishingly) admits to not having actually read the whole book, and yet feels he is in a position to describe it as being `not really Orthodox'. This, despite the fact that it was re-written by two Orthodox saints precisely for the assistance and edification of Orthodox Christians. Furthermore, it has been approved by Mount Athos. The reviewer appears to believe that man is saved by faith alone. Yet, how do we demonstrate our faith in God? Through works. And what are those works? Repentance and the fulfilling of God's commandments. That is the essence of this book. It gives us the `spiritual weapons' needed to show our faith in God through our works - through amending our lives to live in accordance with God's laws and in accordance with the way God has intended us to live. As we read in John 14:23 `Jesus answered and said unto him, if a man loves Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him.' Indeed, if your belief is such that you think you only need `faith', without any form of self-amendment, then this book is certainly not for you. If on the other hand, you wish to at least attempt to follow Jesus' commandment when He says `he who wishes to be My disciple, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me', then read this book as it teaches us the methods by which we deny ourselves and follow the Lord with faith and trust in Him alone. One final note, this book has been excellently summarised by Fr. Jack N Sparks into three short books, written specifically with the layman in mind. These books, published by Conciliar Press are: Virtue in the Unseen Warfare; Prayer in the Unseen Warfare; and Victory in the Unseen Warfare.

This story of this text begins in 16th century Italy, when Lorenzo Scupoli wrote "The Spiritual Combat". Interestingly, the book arose from a series of letters to an "unknown sister in Christ" (the original text contains many female pronouns) on the spiritual life. The theme of spiritual combat is certainly present throughout the text, but Scupoli sees this battle as being won by not relying on self or trusting oneself but by confidence in God. Establishing this foundation first, he continues with advice on overcoming vices and the snares of the devil, growing in virtue, prayer and meditation, and practical advice on a few other topics. His words show great wisdom and spiritual depth, and the success of the book (600 editions in the four centuries since his death) is well deserved. One of the places it ended up was in the Greek monasteries of Mt. Athos, where Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain translated it with some editorial changes to make it more suitable to Orthodox readers. He added Scripture texts as well. It was this version that came into the hands of a Russian, Theophan the Recluse, who translated it into Russian with even more substantive changes ( the Jesus Prayer, quotes from the Fathers) that left some chapters entirely reworked, although others retain the wording of Scupoli's original. This work became an Orthodox classic in its own right, and which is here published under the title "Unseen Warfare". It is marked by a profound wisdom of its own, and both Scupoli's text and this one are the sort of work that can provide spiritual meat for those who are willing to read and re-read them, chewing on their spiritual themes. I have found it an excellent meditation for growing in Christian character and building strong faith. I hope it helps you too! (Scupoli's work, by the way, can be found with an introduction in the book "Theatine Spirituality: Selected Writings" which is part of the Classics of Western Spirituality series put out by Paulist Press--perhaps readers not inclined to the Orthodoxy in "Unseen Warfare" would prefer the original Roman Catholic work).

Thought here are questions about the original author it really doesn't matter. What you ahve here is a classic of Orthodox spirituality. The book is straightforward and accessible and speaks directly the human struggle in which we serve. You will find direct answers to many of life's questions as well as powerful insight into how to procede in the spiritual life and battle with the demons. This book should be read by every Christian on earth who understands the reality of spiritual warfare.

the Roman Catholic version from Tan Books is the more literal translation, and the wording more direct, however, this the Orthodox text is more of an interpretive rewrite containing many insightful embellishments that are certainly worth digesting. The 60 page introduction, though longer than necessary, provides background information that heightens one's appreciation of this 500 year old classic. For Protestants, this is the version I recommend, but if one can't read and think , then bypass this book entirely. To truly appreciate the work, I suggest reading both a chapter at a time simultaneously, which can easily be done in 2 months if used as a daily reader. The chapters are short (1-5 pages) and limited to single topics. Many people preach what others should do, this tells how. Must reading if spiritual growth, to grow in virtue and moral purity in the presence of our Lord, is your desire.

I am now on my third copy of this great classic. Earlier copies fallen apart from use. This work along with St. John Cassian's Conferences gives the needed help for the stuggles of our journey through life. When started, this work may appear a fairly easy read. Upon reflection it is very deep and rich guide. Well worth the time to read and follow the advice. I strongly recommend this edition.

All I would add to the previous reviews is that I found the chapters on prayer - largely the work of St. Theophan rather than Scupoli - to be especially useful. His approach to prayer is the classical approach of the Eastern Church. These chapters alone are worth the price of the book and justify chosing the Orthodox rewrite over the original.

There are very few spiritual books as beneficial, practical, and edifying as this one. If you consider yourself a Christian, this book is indispensable! Sts. Nicodemus and Theophan did a God-glorifying job with editing and revising this writing by Lorenzo Scupoli. In this book are topics that are not widely discussed in any Christian circle, even within Orthodoxy, unfortunately. This is a book that should be in every Christian's library, similar in rank to the Philokalia, Sayings of the Desert Fathers, St. Dorotheos' Discourses, St. Theophan's Path to Salvation, and St. Ignatius' The Field. I would say that merely reading the first 5 chapters of this book are sufficient for the price paid! Pay no heed to the criticisms of laity who object to some of the more austere admonishments in this text; wisdom dictates that not everything we read from the Fathers can be applied to our lives, nor should they be without spiritual guidance, lest we fall into the great sin of pride, prelest, and self-direction--all of which lead to our own destruction. This book should be prayerfully read, and any new rules that come to mind should be presented to your spiritual father before applying them to your life: This is the Orthodox way, and anything contrary is the way of Satan.

I probably should be ashamed to confess that I have this book of spiritual mastery in my bathroom and flip daily to random pages as it's too intense to read cover to cover. I have received REAL spiritual direction that HAS grounded and directed my prayer life. But much of it is beyond my experience and a bit repelling. I feel a bit like Herod who loved to listen to John the Baptist while not understanding a word!! The attraction IS irresistible. I've put all my other books back in the bookcase and this one book remains day by day despite conflicting passions about it.

A book written by a Catholic priest, revised by an Orthodox Greek and edited by a famous Russian Ascetic. this final version is the product of an exhaustive effort to deliver a guide to Christian perfection as it is understood and practiced by Christian ascetics in the past two millennia. it draws on the material provided by Cassian's writings about the teachings of the desert fathers in the east (In Egypt and Syria) and builds on this the experiences of both western and Eastern Christianity of later generations. I do not think this is going to be a book for the novice or beginner in these areas of contemplation and spiritual exercises. But it should be of great help for persons who aspire to reach great heights in enjoying a strong and ecstatic relationship with God. Such people are always subject to the unseen warfare described in this book and therefore this would be a very good guide book for them along the road to perfection.

Read :)

Thank you.

As a Christian pacifist, I'm extremely wary of militaristic language, in either common speech ("bullet points" or "I got bombed last night") or allegedly spiritual discourse ("Onward Christian soldiers, marching off to war..."). So I was initially put off by the title _Unseen Warfare_. But as soon as I began reading the book, it becane clear that the type of warfare discussed was quite different from what we usually take the word to mean. Scupoli (along with Nicodemus & Theophan, his Orthodox editors) argues that Christian perfection lies in aligning one's will with God's, but that this alignment is extremely difficult because an entire army of contrary "wills" resides in us, continuously dragging us away from God. In order to counter these "wills," the Christian must arm herself with "invisible weapons." The "most trustworthy and unconquerable" of them are: (1) never rely on yourself in anything; (2) always bear in your heart a perfect and all-daring trust in God alone; (3) strive without ceasing; and (4) remain constantly in prayer. It's clear that these weapons, rather than seeking to overpower by sheer brute strength, take seriously the strength-through- powerlessness that St. Paul writes about. Unseen warfare is fought not by pitting one's will against a foe, but by surrendering oneself to God; not by trusting in one's own resources, but by acknowledging dependence; not by risking everything on one flashy, dramatic battle, but by persevering, little by little, day by day; and not by drawing up battle plans so much as by ceaseless praying. The language may be militaristic, but the purport of the language actually subverts the violence and self-assertion associated with war. It speaks of self-sacrifice, love, devotion, discipline. _Unseen Warfare_ is a sobering read, because it convicts the reader (or at least it convicted THIS reader) of falling woefully short in the quest for Christian perfection. But it's also an inspiring and ennobling read, because it encourages the reader to greater resolve. Highly recommended.

Must read for all Orthodox Christians everywhere to aid you in your day-to-day encounter with the evil one.

Not that good didn't like it

could not be better!

The basic understanding of God's action in our daily lives-what is happening spiritually in a particular situation in our lives- to understand this and what action to take! How the passions impact on our understanding of God and how to turn (mechanism) the passions into virtues which are required for the salvation of man.

This book will set you on the path to God, if you so desire. It dispells with a lot of the myths and answers the important questions that most folks need answered but don't even know to ask. For example: What is the goal of the spiritual life?

Every Christian is faced with a battle with an unseen foe. In His book, "Unseen Warefare," Lorenzo Scupoli gives the Christian excellent tools with which to wage this war. This writing is not for the casual reader. But, if you are serious about your faith and wish to fortify your self for the battle, this book is a must for your library.

I realize that there really should be no difference in praxis between the layperson and the monastic, and this book has been passed around my parish endlessly. However, I re-read it again recently and I feel compelled to say this IS one book that laypeople should NOT read. It's great for the monastic who, BECAUSE OF HIS or HER PAST, needs this kind of instruction. However, the layperson who attempts the recommendations in this book is probably going to end up on a secular psychiatrist's couch downing Prozac and Xanax like they were bon-bons. (I wish Amazon would allow bolding and italicization for emphasis to give clarity to these reviews.) Forgive me for going against the grain here : if your priest has recommended this book and after reading it, you feel overwhelmed or despairing, put this book away for a rainy day when you might feel like donating it to a monastery. (If this is the case, I would also recommend that you seriously consider visiting another parish and talking to a different priest.) The methods in this book are damaging to the average soul and can cause great harm. This book should be completely AVOIDED by anyone who is: 1. A survivor of child abuse 2. Rape victims and Sexual Molestation Victims 3. Battered women 4. Anyone suffering from any kind of violence, interpersonal abuse and subsequent trauma In general it *MIGHT* be beneficial for: 1. Silver spoon trust fund babies who have never suffered any harm, abuse or trauma 2. Men who beat women and/or children 3. Women who beat their children 4. People who were involved very, very deeply in the more serious and destructive forms of the occult. (And I'm not talking about the occasional astrology reader.) "ya get what I'm sayin'?" In other words, this book should be reserved for the worst of all spiritual criminals (of whom I am chief.) I have noticed that the vast majority of priests I have met who recommend this book (and I have met lots a lot of them because I travelled a lot on business) tend to come from the neo-Gnostic ranks of Christ the Saviour Brotherhood. Which, by the way, explains their fascination and obsession with this book and is yet another indication that you should run, not walk, to a different parish. (And not because such priests are 'bad' but because they may not be completely objective in this particular matter.) Ordinarily, I would agree that what is good for the monastic is good for the layperson. However, that is NOT the case here and the reason is that: there simply is no "one size fits all" in Orthodox Christianity. Each person is an individual, created unique by God: "For I am fearfully and wonderfully made.." Even in monasticism, there is no such thing as "what's good for the goose is good for the gander" when it comes to the personal spiritual life. Every person has a unique journey and therefore, spiritual warfare, such as it is, needs to be tailor-made for the individual. We are not drones in a hive. I have given it two stars for two reasons: a) It is excellent advice for those who NEED that kind of advice and in this case, that means certain TYPES of monastics and those who may have committed violent crimes against others. b) The introduction is a phenomenal glimpse at monastic life in general. Look, what I am trying (badly) to say is this: Let's say you have a nice house in the country side. But there are bears and you need a fence because otherwise the bears get in and mess everything up. So you decide you are going to build a nice fence to keep the bears out. Well,you don't use nitro-glycerin to make the holes for the posts. This book is nitro-glycerin. You just need a shovel....don't go blowing up your life when all you need is a fence. In all, if you are a lay person and in need of spiritual advice try "Wounded By Love" by Elder Porphyrios. His work is far more beneficial to those living secular lives in the world. I DO NOT recommend this for laypeople. Try this instead: http://www.amazon.com/Wounded-Love-Elder-Porphyrios/dp/9607201191/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406143707&sr=8-1&keywords=wounded+by+love

See Peterprint 's comments in this 2-star review section. This work is strife with unhealthy (and un-Orthodox) self-abasement. We live in confusing times and discerning the difference between humility and masquerading pride is a challenge. Peterprint's review is accurate, and in particular his 'comments section' with multiple quotes from the Holy Fathers reflect a truer Orthodoxy. I am a convert from the Latin, and although there is merit to the West, there is much greater incorrectness. The encroachment of Latin theology upon Orthodoxy has created an unhealthy mixed fruit that ultimately detracts from the original. Embrace your spiritual healing first before marching forth into warfare. The compassion and inclusion generated by more of the Fathers, as typified by the quotes presented, are a truer rendering of God's grace. The error in the Western doctrine of "Original Sin" is itself a spiritual attack; a prideful self-judgment contrary to the love which God has, will continue, and for the ages, shown and shared with us.

A damaging approach to 21st spiritual warfare. I would recommend to those interested in growth and finding a deeper relationship with God: 1) Prayer of Jesus, Prayer of the Heart or any other of the books by Alphonse and Rahel Goettmann - go to: [...] (He is a French Orthodox priest) 2) Orthodox Prayer Life: The Interior Way - Matthew The Poor (St Vladimir's Press; [...] Also for anyone seriously minded about understanding Eastern Orthodox Christianity - go to: [...] For more insight review - the shame and vulnerability research - [...] Anger acts as a pain relief - the answer is time spent in contemplation receiving God's love...only those who know that they are seen as The Beloved make the bold move to divest themselves of everything that creates a false identity.

Highly recommend the seller. Very satisfied with price, speedy delivery and book condition.

Highly recommended for everyone convert and cradle Orthodox, even non-Christians! Very encouraging and covers every issue you can think of that one can struggle with. As a young convert this book is invaluable to me. In Christ, Tamara

A profound book! This book originally written by Lorenzo Scupoli and then edited by Nicodemus of mount athos and subsequently brought into this final form by St. Theophan the recluse is a beautiful work. St. Theophan is able to strike at the heart and mind of each person who picks up this book in their own way. Most who read it leave saying, "WOW! Its like St. Theophan knows my sins!!". Combining the wisdom of the fathers with his pastoral responsibilities (something he displays in The Spiritual Life - and How to be Attuned to It), St. Theophan has written a timeless book which makes for extremely edifying reading for any and all!

Can be scary to read as you reach different epiphanies of understanding of YOURSELF. If you think you know yourself - you really don't until you read this book. It is a REAL EYE OPENER...if your ready to understand the real truth.

Great perspective, really makes you think

There are very few spiritual books as beneficial, practical, and edifying as this one. If you consider yourself a Christian, this book is indispensable! Sts. Nicodemus and Theophan did a God-glorifying job with editing and revising this writing by Lorenzo Scupoli. In this book are topics that are not widely discussed in any Christian circle, even within Orthodoxy, unfortunately. This is a book that should be in every Christian's library, similar in rank to the Philokalia, Sayings of the Desert Fathers, St. Dorotheos' Discourses, St. Theophan's Path to Salvation, and St. Ignatius' The Field. I would say that merely reading the first 5 chapters of this book are sufficient for the price paid! Pay no heed to the criticisms of laity who object to some of the more austere admonishments in this text; wisdom dictates that not everything we read from the Fathers can be applied to our lives, nor should they be without spiritual guidance, lest we fall into the great sin of pride, prelest, and self-direction--all of which lead to our own destruction. This book should be prayerfully read, and any new rules that come to mind should be presented to your spiritual father before applying them to your life: This is the Orthodox way, and anything contrary is the way of Satan.

I probably should be ashamed to confess that I have this book of spiritual mastery in my bathroom and flip daily to random pages as it's too intense to read cover to cover. I have received REAL spiritual direction that HAS grounded and directed my prayer life. But much of it is beyond my experience and a bit repelling. I feel a bit like Herod who loved to listen to John the Baptist while not understanding a word!! The attraction IS irresistible. I've put all my other books back in the bookcase and this one book remains day by day despite conflicting passions about it.

A book written by a Catholic priest, revised by an Orthodox Greek and edited by a famous Russian Ascetic. this final version is the product of an exhaustive effort to deliver a guide to Christian perfection as it is understood and practiced by Christian ascetics in the past two millennia. it draws on the material provided by Cassian's writings about the teachings of the desert fathers in the east (In Egypt and Syria) and builds on this the experiences of both western and Eastern Christianity of later generations. I do not think this is going to be a book for the novice or beginner in these areas of contemplation and spiritual exercises. But it should be of great help for persons who aspire to reach great heights in enjoying a strong and ecstatic relationship with God. Such people are always subject to the unseen warfare described in this book and therefore this would be a very good guide book for them along the road to perfection.

Read :)

Thank you.

As a Christian pacifist, I'm extremely wary of militaristic language, in either common speech ("bullet points" or "I got bombed last night") or allegedly spiritual discourse ("Onward Christian soldiers, marching off to war..."). So I was initially put off by the title _Unseen Warfare_. But as soon as I began reading the book, it becane clear that the type of warfare discussed was quite different from what we usually take the word to mean. Scupoli (along with Nicodemus & Theophan, his Orthodox editors) argues that Christian perfection lies in aligning one's will with God's, but that this alignment is extremely difficult because an entire army of contrary "wills" resides in us, continuously dragging us away from God. In order to counter these "wills," the Christian must arm herself with "invisible weapons." The "most trustworthy and unconquerable" of them are: (1) never rely on yourself in anything; (2) always bear in your heart a perfect and all-daring trust in God alone; (3) strive without ceasing; and (4) remain constantly in prayer. It's clear that these weapons, rather than seeking to overpower by sheer brute strength, take seriously the strength-through- powerlessness that St. Paul writes about. Unseen warfare is fought not by pitting one's will against a foe, but by surrendering oneself to God; not by trusting in one's own resources, but by acknowledging dependence; not by risking everything on one flashy, dramatic battle, but by persevering, little by little, day by day; and not by drawing up battle plans so much as by ceaseless praying. The language may be militaristic, but the purport of the language actually subverts the violence and self-assertion associated with war. It speaks of self-sacrifice, love, devotion, discipline. _Unseen Warfare_ is a sobering read, because it convicts the reader (or at least it convicted THIS reader) of falling woefully short in the quest for Christian perfection. But it's also an inspiring and ennobling read, because it encourages the reader to greater resolve. Highly recommended.

Must read for all Orthodox Christians everywhere to aid you in your day-to-day encounter with the evil one.

Not that good didn't like it

could not be better!

The basic understanding of God's action in our daily lives-what is happening spiritually in a particular situation in our lives- to understand this and what action to take! How the passions impact on our understanding of God and how to turn (mechanism) the passions into virtues which are required for the salvation of man.