Daily Devotional: October 23rd

Daily Prayer X

Prudence, wisdom's beacon in the mind's expanse,

In discerning gaze, thy insights enhance.

A lantern in shadows, a compass true,

Navigating life's labyrinth with virtue.

Oh, Prudence, guardian of thoughtful thought,

In the tapestry of choices, finely wrought.

Foreseeing consequences, with measured gaze,

In the realm of reason, thy wisdom stays.

In the quiet chambers of reflective thought,

Thy counsel, a treasure, in values sought.

Prudence, guide us with your steady hand,

In the complex dance of life, help us understand.

Daily Meditation

"How can truth belong to the invisible world only? In that case, everything here below is false. — Things of this world are also true, but yonder truth is pure; here, as Plato says, we can only come as near as possible.”

—Damscius

Commentary on the Phaedo 117

We should not think that the world is broken or devoid of truth. The light of the gods pours over and fills every space with divine providence. Truth is here in this world. However, the truth in the realm of the gods is pure and unmixed. Here it is mingled with the dross of the material world. We see only the dim reflection. When we learn to look within, we glimpse the truth in its purity.

Monthly Ascesis: Breath and the Pneuma

“In the Western classical tradition, the words for spirit and soul - pneuma, psyche, anima, and spiritus hold profound significance. Interestingly, each of these words also carries the meaning of breath or to breathe. This linguistic connection underscores the belief that breath is the essence of life. In the myth of Prometheus, for instance, it was Minerva’s breath that animated the clay figures of man, giving them life.”

The breath is one of our most powerful tools for spiritual practice and is directly linked to our souls. When we speed up our breathing, our mind speeds up. When we slow it down, our mind slows. Controlling our breath is a leap forward for control of the self and our passions.

“Once you have fixed your breath, you can start to focus on it and use it as an instrument to still the mind. With each breath, there will be a slight pause at the top of the breath and a slight pause at the end of each exhalation. To increase stillness, we will let our minds come to rest in the pause following the exhalation. Breathe out and rest in that moment between breaths. When you feel the need to breathe in again, then do so and come back around to the rest point of the next exhalation.”

-Excerpts from, Ascesis: the Handbook of Platonic Practice

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