Daily Devotional: September 26th

Daily Prayer VI

Blessed are those who tend to their immortal soul,

Seeking its excellence, making it their goal.

Unconcerned for the mortal, sparing not if need be,

Prioritizing the eternal, their spirits free.

In the face of thoughtless attacks from mortal kin,

They stand unenslaved, their soul's fortress within.

Firm in resolve, above wickedness they soar,

Holding their essence steadfast, forevermore.

Blessed are they who do not grieve when fortune turns,

Heaven-sent trials borne with resilience, as it churns.

They mark as good only what's in their immortal core,

In serenity, they face what fate has in store.

Daily Meditation

"Nothing quite so reveals a narrow and small soul as the love of riches, and there is nothing more honest and beautiful than to not obsess about money, if one does not have it; and if one does have it, to put it to uses related to kindness and generosity.”

—Cicero

On Duties, Book I, XX.68

Obsession with money shows us those who are miserable and weak of soul. Whether the desire for a lavish or adventurous lifestyle, lust for some new expensive toy or product, or just the worship of our own wealth and status, all forms of money-loving rot the soul. The goods of the soul are always free and available as easily to the beggar as to the billionaire.

Monthly Ascesis

Developing a practice of watchfulness is a powerful and effective way to create stillness in our souls, allowing us to behold God's presence in our lives.

This month, add this meditation practice to your morning prayers. This is particularly effective following a chanting session.

“The most basic and fundamental meditation practice is watchfulness or Nepsis in Greek. Watchfulness is the act of observing the mind while not chasing any thoughts or emotions that arise. You only need to sit down, close your eyes, and relax to do this practice. Then, watch your thoughts as they arise and fall away. Thoughts will continue to pop into your mind, and that’s ok. The key is not to follow them. For example, if your mind starts thinking about a project at work, don’t follow that idea and start working on the project in your mind. Just acknowledge that thought and watch it. Don’t feed that idea with more ideas; just leave it alone. Eventually, it will pass by, or a new thought will take its place. If that happens, just watch that thought without following it or allowing it to disturb you.”

-Excerpt from our new book, Ascesis: the Handbook of Platonic Practice

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