The Evergetinos: Book Two - Hypothesis XVIII, Part III

Philokalia Ministries

Synopsis of tonight’s group on the Evergetinos- Hypothesis 18 Sections H and I:

This evening we concluded hypothesis 18 with the clarity that only St. John Cassian can bring. Cassian, though as western monk, spent many years in Egypt among the desert fathers and was able to distill their thought with great clarity for the western mind as well as the western monk. He shows us what the practice, or as he says, the vast experience of the monks over the course of time offers us. They show us that we are to avoid extremes. Fasting is not to be extended over the course of many days because the immoderate practice of fasting leads to the immoderate break of the fast and over-eating. Fasting is to be embraced, not as an end in itself, but as a means to bringing about both internal and external stability to a confused and unruly life. There is only one hard and fast rule and that is not to eat to the point of satiation. In fact, we must understand the uniqueness of each individual in regard to their experience in the ascetic life and the strength of their constitution. Not everybody can restrain the amount of food they eat to the same extent. Nor can everyone live a strictly vegan diet.

Cassian also notes that illness does not come into conflict with purity of heart. It may demand that we lighten our discipline for the sake of the health of the body. But even here we should eat in moderation and whatever the illness demands without making ourselves slaves to the assaults of evil desires. “The moderate and logical use of food ensures the health of the body; it does not detract from holiness.” Once again the fathers prove themselves to be both spiritually and psychologically astute as well as having a clear understanding of the physiological needs that we have as human beings.

Fasting in many way is starting point for us and not only serves us in the struggle for purity of heart by humbling the mind and the body, but it also reveals to us that the spiritual life must involve the whole person. We begin with the basics and our most fundamental need – the need for sustenance. A confused mind is born out of disorder, and this brings confusion to the soul, and from that purity slowly disappears. Much of the turmoil that we experience in our life arises out of the loss of peace that comes from a disordered life. However, when this order emerges within us and we begin to taste something of the peace of Christ, then something is born within the human heart. The Fathers tells us that from the light of peace a pure wind blows through the mind. To the extent that the heart can draw near to wisdom, it receives grace from God. Thus fasting may not seem to be necessary or important in our generation, but for the fathers it lays the very foundation of a life that is caught up in Christ and transformed by his grace.

---

Text of chat during the group:

00:09:53 Nicole Dillon: Hello everyone. Happy to be able to join tonite. Thank you 🙏🏼 🥰🕊️ 00:10:46 Ambrose Little, OP: St. John’s Conferences were one of the few books that St. Dominic kept and carried with him. 00:24:57 Wayne: Some may be Vegan? 00:25:26 Laura: Vegan - no animal products 00:25:34 Lilly (Toronto, CA): No animal products at all 00:25:50 Forrest Cavalier: There are also fruitarians. 00:25:57 Rebecca Thérèse: Vegans won't even eat honey 00:26:17 Lilly (Toronto, CA): I've been a nut for 12 years 😅 00:26:23 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "Vegans won't even ea..." with 🙄 00:26:43 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "There are also fruit..." with 🙄 00:29:14 Anthony: When the Mongols became Christian, they had a meat and milk diet. They were advised by the "nestorian" bishop to abstain from fermented mare's milk. 00:36:04 Lilly (Toronto, CA): I've always wondered if God's plan for Adam and Eve was for humanity to be vegan? Did original sin bring about the killing of animals and need for such products? 00:36:50 Anthony: Reacted to I've always wondered... with "👍" 00:41:43 Nypaver Clan: Can a disordered life cause mental disorder or does the mental disorder usually come first, then the disordered life? 00:51:42 Wayne: Replying to "I've always wondered..." I don't have the scriptural verse in Genuis that suggest we should not be eating animal products 00:56:29 Rebecca Thérèse: When I worked in mental health over a decade ago, professionals completely adopted the secularist notions towards sexuality and sexual behaviour without even any understanding of different values in this area. For example, stating that a Muslim man would have hang ups around sex because of his religion. Also, a colleague was refused a job because in an interview he said he would advise a Muslim with same sex attraction to speak to a Muslim religious leader. He was told he failed the diversity question as this was the wrong answer since religious leaders are the most conservative of people. It's considered bad for mental health to observe traditional sexual morality. 00:58:36 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "When I worked in men..." with 😢 00:58:55 Lilly (Toronto, CA): Is there an actual scriptural verse in Genesis that can clarify my previous question? 00:59:25 Forrest Cavalier: Replying to "Is there an actual s..." Gen 9:3 01:02:44 iPhone: I’ve been called a bigot for believing that homosexuality activity is a sin and that the attraction is disordered, although I do not reject or condemn this man 01:05:36 Wayne: Replying to "Is there an actual s..." yes that's it 01:06:41 Wayne: Replying to "Is there an actual s..." I checked the foot notes on this verse and did not get clarity on it 01:07:27 Nicole Dillon: Thank you Father! 01:07:53 Laura: Reacted to "Thank you Father!" with 👍🏼 01:08:05 Maureen Cunningham: Thank you, FatherI keep you in prayer for your retreat Blessing 01:08:13 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂 01:08:17 Forrest Cavalier: So grateful! 01:08:21 iPhone: Thank you, Father 01:08:29 Troy Amaro: Thank You Father. 01:08:33 Cameron Jackson: Thank you. 01:08:38 iPhone: Bye bye