Spirituality and Prayer Life in the Ancient Faithਨਮੂਨਾ

Day 4: Having the Mind of Christ in Orthodox Christian Spirituality

The concept of the spiritual eye plays a crucial role in Orthodox Christian spirituality and prayer life. In Orthodox Christian anthropology, the "eye of the heart or soul" or the "spiritual intellect" is to have the "mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16 NKJV, Philippians 2:5 NKJV). In Romans 12:2 NKJV, St. Paul refers to having the mind of Christ by saying: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" and in 1 Corinthians 2:16 NKJV he says: "For 'who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?' But we have the mind of Christ."

The purity of heart and the mind of Christ illuminates our spiritual eye, and it is the process by which and through which we can know God directly, not just intellectually but experientially. As we read in Luke 24:25 NKJV, Jesus opens the eyes of the heart, their spiritual eyes to understand the Scriptures after His resurrection: “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures”. It's distinct from discursive reason (dianoia in Greek). While discursive reason deals with logical thinking and analysis, having the mind of Christ, illumination of the eyes of the heart, the spiritual eyes, is capable of intuitive, holistic knowledge of spiritual realities.

In the original creation, our spiritual eyes were meant to be oriented towards God, receiving divine light and guiding the whole person. However, as a result of the fall of Adam, our spiritual eyes became darkened and disoriented. A primary goal of Orthodox Christian spiritual life is the purification and reorientation of the spiritual eyes, the eyes of our heart; to have the mind of Christ, as the Apostle St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:16.

This purification happens through:

1. Ascetic practices: Fasting, vigils, etc., help detach the spiritual eyes from sensual preoccupations.
2. Prayer: Unceasing prayer, especially the Jesus Prayer, which helps focus the spiritual eyes, our minds and our hearts, on God.
3. Participation in the sacraments: Which illuminates the spiritual eyes with divine grace.
4. Reading of Scripture and the Church Fathers: Which provides spiritual nourishment for the spirit and illuminates our spiritual eyes to see Christ more clearly and fully.
5. Guarding of thoughts: Being vigilant about what we allow to enter our minds.

As the heart is purified, it becomes capable of "prayer in the mind of Christ" - prayer within the heart. This is a higher form of prayer than mental or verbal prayer. When we pray in the mind of Christ, the eyes of our heart, our spiritual eyes are illumined by divine grace and experience a direct, intuitive perception of God's presence.

For beginners, practical steps include:

1. Practicing attentiveness in prayer, trying to pray not just with words but with your whole being. Practice silent prayer, focusing on God’s presence.
2. Pray with the Psalms daily to purify your thoughts.
3. Being mindful of your thoughts and what you allow to occupy your mind.
4. Seeking to move beyond intellectual understanding to experiential knowledge in your spiritual life. Also, seeking spiritual guidance when facing distractions or dryness.

Remember, the purification of the heart and illumination of the spiritual eyes is a lifelong process, enabled by God's grace. As you grow in your Orthodox Christian faith, seek to cultivate the mind of Christ through prayer, ascetic practice, and participation in the sacramental life of the Church.

Reflection: Set aside time for silent prayer today. Ask God to purify your heart and illumine your mind.

Prayer: O Lord, open the eyes of my heart. Illuminate my spiritual eyes to see You more clearly. Let Your light shine within me, dispelling all darkness and confusion. Grant me the grace to see You more clearly, to love You more dearly, and to follow You more nearly, day by day. Amen.