A New Trend in Wellness: A Reflection from an Orthodox Christian Perspective

Today, I encountered an intriguing trend in the realm of healthcare and wellness: doctors are now prescribing nature walks and visits to art shows as part of their treatment plans to promote better health outcomes.

Why It Matters: This trend, known as "social prescription," highlights a growing recognition of nonclinical approaches to improve well-being. According to The New York Times' Christina Caron, this practice has gained traction in several countries, including the U.S., the U.K., China, India, South Korea, and Australia. Doctors suggest these social activities to combat feelings of isolation and stress, which can significantly deteriorate one's health and shorten lifespan.

While this initiative underscores an essential shift towards holistic health models, it also prompts a reflection on the depth of traditional Christian spirituality, which seems absent from such modern approaches. In the pursuit of genuine happiness and well-being, Orthodox Christianity offers a profoundly rich path that goes beyond merely alleviating symptoms of distress.

A Deeper Prescription: As Orthodox Christians, we understand that true health encompasses the body, soul, and spirit. To this end, our daily practices include prayer—such as the Jesus Prayer—fasting, reading scripture, participating in the sacraments, and living out the virtues taught by Christ. These spiritual disciplines are not just activities but ways of life that aim to restore our full humanity in the image of God.

Repentance plays a critical role in this journey, allowing us to realign ourselves with God’s will whenever we fall short. This continuous striving for holiness and communion with God embodies the Orthodox way of life, offering a transformative experience that promises not only temporal joy but eternal well-being.

Explore Further: For those interested in discovering how these timeless practices can enrich your life, I recommend exploring the Ten Points of Orthodox Life, which provide practical steps towards embracing this holistic spiritual path. You can learn more about these transformative practices here.

While modern healthcare's recognition of nonclinical methods like social prescriptions is commendable, it may only scratch the surface of what constitutes true wellness. In contrast, Orthodox Christianity offers a comprehensive way of life that addresses the deepest needs of the human heart and soul, guiding us toward ultimate health and union with God.

Embracing the Fullness of God's Love and the Jesus Prayer

Reflecting on the depth of loving God with all our heart and mind, we must ask ourselves: do our thoughts during prayer truly reflect this love? When worldly distractions permeate our prayers, it might reveal our shortfall in living up to His commandment to love God with our whole being.

Saint Silouan articulates this challenge with profound clarity. He teaches that when our thoughts drift away from God, even during prayer, our attention is divided. At such moments, we are not fully living the commandment to love God "with all thy mind and all thy heart." True adherence to this commandment, according to Saint Silouan, is achieved when our consciousness is so fully immersed in God that no extraneous thought can find room. This state represents an earnest attempt to fulfill the greatest commandment, though we must humbly acknowledge our imperfections in its execution. (Reference: Saint Silouan the Athonite, p. 438)

The intrusion of distractions into our prayer life signals a disconnect, suggesting that our minds are not wholly attuned to God. This mirrors the Apostolic teaching of Saint Paul, who encourages us to adopt the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), a call to wholly align our thoughts and being with Christ's example and teachings.

Engaging in the practice of the Jesus Prayer is a transformative exercise that brings our minds under the dominion of our soul, empowering us to dismiss or overlook irrelevant thoughts. This prayer practice fosters a spiritual discipline that aligns us more closely with the commandment to love God with every facet of our being.

To deepen your understanding and commitment to this form of prayer, it's beneficial to explore further the practice of the Jesus Prayer. This exploration can lead to a more profound and distraction-free engagement in prayer, drawing us closer to fulfilling the commandment to love God with our entire heart and mind.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27B-YUrTXeg Excerpt from a recent talk on the teaching of Saint Symeon the New Theologian on prayer.

More: https://www.orthodoxprayer.org/Jesus%20Prayer.html

Tri-fold Pamphlet: https://www.orthodoxprayer.org/Articles_files/Jesus%20Prayer%20Brochure.pdf

Articles and books: https://www.orthodoxprayer.org/Jesus%20Prayer-Articles%20and%20Books.html

Theosis 7 - St. Symeon and the Experience of Theosis

 

Brief Summary of Session 7: Experience of Theosis

In our seventh session, we explored the profound question, "Can we know God?" from the perspective of Theosis, a central concept in Orthodox Christianity that implies a union with God and affirms that we can indeed know Him. This concept is often contested by those who argue that God is ultimately unknowable and that the Orthodox theological foundation of Theosis is therefore invalid. To address this, we turned to Saint Gregory Palamas, who provided significant insights into the ancient Orthodox understanding of Theosis. He articulated a Truth from the earliest days of Christianity, that God is both knowable and unknowable, a distinction made clear when we differentiate between God's essence and His energies. This is akin to the analogy of the sun and its rays; just as we experience the sun's energy through its rays without comprehending the sun itself, so too do we experience God's energies, which sustain all creation without knowing the essence of God.

The Holy Spirit's work is made manifest through these divine energies. As we progress spiritually, we become more attuned to the Spirit within us, gradually overcoming the passions that dominate our behavior and starting to emulate Christ. Our ultimate goal is to cultivate a Christ-like mind, learning through God's energies to fulfill His commandments and prepare ourselves for our eventual return to paradise.

Thus, Theosis is a journey open to all, inviting us to know God and unite with Him consciously, becoming more like Christ. Saint Symeon's Hymns validate and offer a glimpse into the direct experience of God, often described as an encounter with divine light that transcends our worldly existence. Such experiences, akin to those of Saint Paul on the way to Damascus or Moses on Mount Sinai, have been part of most saints' lives, marking moments of profound holiness and miraculous works through their communion with God's energies.

This session underscored Theosis not as a theoretical concept but as an enduring truth rooted in Apostolic teachings, Scripture, and the writings of the Church Fathers. The pursuit of Theosis and the experience of the divine light are attainable goals for all devout Christians who earnestly engage with their faith and aspire to emulate Christ. It reaffirms the necessity of living an Orthodox life for our salvation. While salvation is universally available through Christ's Incarnation, achieving it requires our active effort to overcome sin, in cooperation with the divine energies through the Holy Spirit's work.

Saint Symeon's journey to Theosis began with his faith and desire for unity with God, perfected through humility expressed in his adherence to God's commandments and a life of daily prayer, notably through the Jesus Prayer. His experiences of the divine light of God, as recounted in his Hymns of Divine Love, illustrate the transformative power of this path towards becoming Christ-like in thought and deed.

I encourage you to delve into the hymns attached below to catch a glimpse of this reality as shared by Saint Symeon through his exquisite Hymns of Divine Love. If possible, obtain a copy of his book, Hymns of Divine Live, to explore all his hymns and further enrich your understanding of this spiritual journey.

Link to videos of entire series: https://www.stgeorgegreenville.org/our-faith/theosis

Theosis 8 & St Symeon's Use of Parables and teaching of St Paul

 

In our final session on Theosis and the teachings of Saint Symeon the New Theologian, we explored his use of Jesus’s Parables and the spiritual support from the writings of Saint Paul. Our discussions delved into three biblical parables—the Pearl of Great Value, the Mustard Seed, and the Leaven—along with the symbol of an oil lamp, each rich in spiritual meaning.

In the Parable of the Pearl of Great Value, Saint Symeon illustrates the profound treasure of the Spirit within, symbolized by a pearl hidden within an oyster deep in the sea. This pearl represents the divine presence within us, obscured yet invaluable. The merchant, who sells all he has for this pearl, exemplifies the soul’s quest for union with Christ, a journey marked by sacrifice and devotion.

The Mustard Seed parable reflects the transformative power of faith, which, though initially small, grows to an immense stature, expanding our spiritual awareness and fostering encounters with the divine light.

In the Parable of the Leaven, Saint Symeon likens leaven mixed into dough to faith within us. This faith, though concealed, is potent, facilitating a complete spiritual transformation as it grows and matures.

The oil lamp is used as a metaphor for the soul, with virtues as the oil and the mind as the wick. When ignited by divine grace, this lamp illuminates the soul, demonstrating how spiritual experiences of divine light lead to Christ-like actions that radiate outward.

Saint Paul's teachings reinforce the theme of transformation, highlighting his own conversion from a persecutor to an apostle through a divine encounter on the road to Damascus. This experience echoes that of Saint Symeon. Paul , like Symeon, struggled to explain in the nature of such profound spiritual encounters. Saint Paul discusses the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and its vital role in our spiritual life, as seen in his epistles (2 Corinthians 13:3, 4:6; Romans 8:9-11; Galatians 3:27, 2:20). He stresses the integration of the Spirit within us, a theme that resonates deeply with the teachings of Saint Symeon.

Our series underscored several critical themes: the significance of the Incarnation and the Fall, the transformative experience of the Divine Light, the alignment of Saint Symeon's parables with Holy Scripture, and their agreement with Saint Paul's teachings. We discussed the distinction between God’s energies and essence, allowing us to know God while He remains unknowable in essence, and the essential nature of the Sacraments, particularly Holy Communion.Also this importance of Spiritual discipline as taught by the Church such as prayer and fasting.

Through these lessons, Saint Symeon's hymns inspire us to seek transformative encounters with the divine, to strive for union with God through Theosis, and to embrace a life of spiritual practice and virtue. His profound insights serve as a source of spiritual guidance and inspiration for those who seek divine communion and holiness. This series has not only deepened our understanding of these spiritual processes but also emphasized the necessity of maintaining alignment with Scriptural and Church traditions to safeguard against misinterpretations that could lead one astray.

Link to videos of entire series: https://www.stgeorgegreenville.org/our-faith/theosis

Theosis 2 - Lessons from the Life of Saint Symeon

 https://youtu.be/P-x_unflGgo?si=xKKAh_wu1skxf8Gj

Brief Summary
The life of Saint Symeon not only exemplifies the profound connection one can have with God but also illuminates the path we are all called to follow—a journey toward theosis, living and acting with the mind of Christ.

Through his lived experience, Saint Symeon demonstrates and reminds us that we are each created in the image of God, endowed with the Holy Spirit at Baptism, and drawn closer to Christ with every participation in Holy Communion. These truths underline the essence of our existence: the pursuit of theosis, an aspiration for deification, and union with God, achievable in this life for some and hopefully for all in the life hereafter. This divine calling, however, acknowledges our differing gifts and the distinct paths we tread, shaped by the individual challenges we face. Remember always that the aim of our life is Theosis.

To follow this path Christ opened for us, requires that we embrace obedience, repentance, and a deep mystical understanding of the Eucharist as the true Body and Blood of Christ. We will hear more later on St. Symeon’s view on this sacrament. Cultivating a daily prayer routine, seeking moments of silence to experience God's love is important in this journey. Engaging in the Jesus Prayer can help us over come our sinful tendencies and significantly enrich our spiritual lives. God speaks to us in silence.

Saint Symeon's journey offers invaluable lessons beyond his exemplary life. He was first instructed by his spiritual father while working in a secular job to delve into the writings of the Church Fathers which instructed him to heed the voice of his conscience, suggesting that we too should become aware of His voice within us and learn to follow it. Importantly, he revealed that ascetic practices like fasting, while beneficial, will not bring us to a knowledge of God. This only comes as a gift from Him depending on a pure and humble heart. Saint Symeon's most profound revelation was the potential existing within us all to perceive God directly, through His energies, not His essence, as demonstrated in his experience of divine light he experienced amid secular duties, while actively participating in worldly affairs. Being in a monastery in definitely not a requirement.

As we delve deeper into Saint Symeon's teachings in our upcoming sessions, we will explore the insights gleaned from his hymns and discourses. I can't begin to explain how beautiful and inspiring they are.
His writings, emanating from a place of spiritual enlightenment, offer simple yet profound guidance on heavenly matters. I encourage you to engage with his works, such as the "Hymns of Love" or "Divine Eros."

Reading just one hymn daily during Lent can profoundly impact your Lenten contemplation of your life's purpose, theosis, the cultivation of an inner awareness of the Spirit, and your need for repentance. He will teach you how you can become guided your conscience in everyday decisions.

Here is a link to a PDF of the slides that were used. 

Link to videos of entire series: https://www.stgeorgegreenville.org/our-faith/theosis

I apologize for the off angle of the video.

Theosis 3 - Saint Symeon Teaching on Theosis

 

https://youtu.be/70CQgS0SVfg?si=4MIbF99j9MlRqUgI

Brief Summary:

We further learned in this third session that another crucial step towards Theosis and salvation is obedience to God's commandments. Scripture underscores this, reminding us that it was Adam and Eve's failure to adhere to a single commandment that resulted in their expulsion from Paradise. Thus, St. Symeon reminds us that we are called to obey all of God's commands. At the final judgment, those who have lived in accordance with God's will be granted entrance into Paradise, while those who have not will remain in darkness, separated from God. This obedience is a path to receiving abundant grace and, for some, the experience

of knowing God through His energies usually experienced as a divine light.

A significant aspect of this journey is zeal based on our desire to both

understand His commandments and to recognize our weaknesses through self-examination, particularly during the Church's season of Great Lent designated for this purpose. Identifying a weakness leads to a state of joyful sorrow and propels us towards repentance. This repentance encourages us to have humility and courage to call a priest for an appointment for the sacrament of Confession.

We are also to regularly participate in Communion with sincerity, which

continually purifies us.

Saint Symeon provides a clear understanding for the needed spiritual path:prayer, a spiritual guide, repentance, obedience to God's commandments, and a life nurtured by the sacraments.

Link to slides

Link to videos of entire series: https://www.stgeorgegreenville.org/our-faith/theosis

Theosis 6 - On Prayer on Journey to Theosis

 

https://youtu.be/THWyofpNpbw?si=jzkrbaZQMSy6Ga-N

Brief Summary:

In this session, we delve into the teachings of Saint Symeon the New Theologian, exploring how it is possible to experience God within the context of a busy secular life. Saint Symeon, despite being immersed in the affairs of the world as a layperson, encountered God in a profound and direct manner. This experience did not stem from extraordinary ascetic practices but emerged from his earnest yearning to know God, his humility in endeavoring to fulfill God's commands, and his dedication to prayer. Saint Symeon's life exemplifies how each of us can directly experience God.

This principle, deeply rooted in Orthodox Christianity since its early days, was robustly defended by Saint Gregory Palamas in the 14th century during his debates with Barlaam. A council vindicated Gregory's stance, acknowledging the paradox that while God is intrinsically unknowable, He is also accessible through His uncreated energies. This affirmation is celebrated on the Second Sunday of Great Lent, immediately following the Sunday of Orthodoxy, reinforcing the truth of our Apostolic faith. Saint Symeon along with numerous other preceding him, living four centuries prior to Gregory, had illuminated this truth through his own encounters with the divine and recording theses experiences in subsequent hymns.

From a tender age, Saint Symeon was nurtured under the guidance of a spiritual mentor and was presented with a book by Saint Mark the Ascetic, which imparted three pivotal lessons:

Guard Your Conscience: To heal your soul, vigilantly protect your conscience so it remains pure.

Be Obedient to It: Act upon the virtuous impulses of your conscience without delay or weariness for your spiritual benefit.

Fulfill His Commandments: Seeking the gifts of the Holy Spirit without first adhering to God's commandments is akin to a bondman seeking emancipation at the moment of purchase.

Additionally, Saint Symeon was counseled to devoutly practice the Jesus Prayer each evening for thirty minutes. This discipline, initially challenging, gradually, led him to deepen his prayer life, culminating in the grace-filled experience of the Divine Light.

In essence, Saint Symeon's early teachings revolve around:

Guarding the conscience,

Obedience to it,

Observance of the Commandments,

Prayer.

These practices are attainable for everyone, even within the demands of an active life.

The session further elaborates on the Jesus Prayer, a spiritual exercise widely advocated by the Fathers of the Church: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Embracing this prayer requires humility, an acknowledgment of one's sinfulness, faith, and a genuine desire to encounter God. Starting this journey involves setting aside specific times for prayer, either in the morning or evening. Initially, distractions will arise, but with perseverance in focusing on the prayer's words, one's ability to concentrate enhances. Following Saint Symeon's example, we can gradually extend our prayer time.

Symeon also teaches us about tears and how they indicate our humility. These are not like emotional tears but come as we approach God in our prayer recognizing our insignificant and sinfulness desiring his help and love. He says once we receive this gift we not have sufficient humility to gain the benefit of our prayer or even our participation in the sacrmants. He warns thesis not something we can force but only comes as a gift from God.

Engaging Symeon’s approach sincerely, with a humble heart open to God's unconditional love and mercy, can lead to an encounter with God’s Divine Light through His uncreated energies. This encounter fosters an unwavering faith and a renewed zeal for spiritual purification, enabling us to fulfill His commandments more fully and preparing us for entry into His Kingdom. In this way we can experience Theosis, gain spiritual wisdom and a foretaste of the life to come.

PDF of Slides used

Link to videos of entire series: https://www.stgeorgegreenville.org/our-faith/theosis