I place
below a collection of questions to my ever-memorable Elder, Father Haralambos,
from his spiritual children and pious pilgrims, and the Elder's answers to
these.
Question: Elder, what is your opinion, since
you teach "noetic prayer", is it only for monastics or does it concern all
Christians?
Elder: From all that the Holy Fathers
write, but also from my experience, I can see that noetic prayer is for all
Christians. However, it's not for the heretics, and it's even more difficult
for the heterodox.
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God
have mercy on me, a sinner" |
- You
give us a lot of encouragement by saying that noetic prayer is also for those
of us who live in the world. However, we need help. We have tried to apply what
is written in the books but it seems hard.
- Of
course, it's hard. This work not only requires struggle, it also requires an
experienced guide. Do you have a spiritual father?.
- We
have, Elder. He is good, but he says that he doesn't know how to teach us about "noetic prayer".
- Let
it be. There is even worse. If you don't know, say that you don't know. But
don't impede the other from learning.
Well,
since you have a confessor, I don't need to confess you.