The first stage of the spiritual life, the beginning of it all, is to gain some control over the passions. The second stage is to devote oneself to the vocal recitation of the psalms, for when the passions have been calmed and prayer has brought some order in our quest for pleasure, then the psalms can bring us great delight, and they are pleasing in God’s sight. The third stage is to pray with our mind. The fourth is when we ascend to contemplation.
–Saint Symeon the New Theologian (949-1022)
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