DAY 54...LOGismoi
“Our life depends on the kinds of thoughts we nurture. If our thoughts are peaceful, calm, meek, and kind, then that is what our life is like." - Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
Thoughts can be helpful or destructive. Before there is action, there is the thought of action. It could be,
"I should help put away the dishes." followed by not putting away the dishes or in fact, putting the dishes away.
OR
"I should humiliate this weakling." Followed by not humiliating or humiliating the person perceived as weak.
Logismoi are the thoughts that come into our head that take advantage of our weak spots. They are destructive thoughts that enter and should not be engaged with. In the case of pornography, it may simply be, "You should look at porn." That comes into our heads and we now have the choice to look or not. The five steps of logismoi taking root are outlined in the book, "Mountain of Silence" by Kyriacos C. Markides in his conversations with Fr. Maximos of Mount Athos.
1. Assault - Thought of evil act tempts you.
2. Interaction - An inter-dialogue as to the pros and cons of following through with thought in action.
3. Consent - Allowing the thought to be acted upon
4. Captivity - Succumbing to the thought and it having a greater hold and chance of acceptance the next time it comes.
5. Passion - Being consumed by it, addicted, knowing it is destructive and continuing with it helplessly.
Thoughts can be helpful or destructive. Before there is action, there is the thought of action. It could be,
"I should help put away the dishes." followed by not putting away the dishes or in fact, putting the dishes away.
OR
"I should humiliate this weakling." Followed by not humiliating or humiliating the person perceived as weak.
Logismoi are the thoughts that come into our head that take advantage of our weak spots. They are destructive thoughts that enter and should not be engaged with. In the case of pornography, it may simply be, "You should look at porn." That comes into our heads and we now have the choice to look or not. The five steps of logismoi taking root are outlined in the book, "Mountain of Silence" by Kyriacos C. Markides in his conversations with Fr. Maximos of Mount Athos.
1. Assault - Thought of evil act tempts you.
2. Interaction - An inter-dialogue as to the pros and cons of following through with thought in action.
3. Consent - Allowing the thought to be acted upon
4. Captivity - Succumbing to the thought and it having a greater hold and chance of acceptance the next time it comes.
5. Passion - Being consumed by it, addicted, knowing it is destructive and continuing with it helplessly.
When you reach the Passion stage, it is difficult to get out of it. That's where you are right now. But you can get out of it. It is something you need to do with the help of others and the grace of God.
This article discusses Logismoi in greater detail and is worth the read.
With all negative thoughts, work on shooing the thought away, like you would a fly. Feed the good wolf instead. With prayer, fasting, and real connections with others. And ignore the negative self destructive thoughts, like Ron Swanson would ignore someone while at circular desk as demonstrated in the video below.
This article discusses Logismoi in greater detail and is worth the read.
With all negative thoughts, work on shooing the thought away, like you would a fly. Feed the good wolf instead. With prayer, fasting, and real connections with others. And ignore the negative self destructive thoughts, like Ron Swanson would ignore someone while at circular desk as demonstrated in the video below.
Today's Instructions:
A. Pray for the day, for friends, for family, for enemies. Thanksgiving, Requests, Praise.
B. In the Fortify Program, Update the battle tracker. Go to week eight and check out "Unleashing the Power of Your Community."
C. Go to the daily readings and read today's Scripture.
D. Journal the following: 1. Make a list of all the areas in which thoughts float into your head. 2. Come up with a plan to avoid giving them any additional thoughts.
Today's Tips: When the urges come get up. Stop. Breathe. Pray. Practice physically shooing away flies that might be flying around your head. This may look funny and might even make you laugh. Consider this a Mr. Miyagi "Wax on. Wax Off." technique to use for when you're in battle again.
God give you strength. See you tomorrow.
Don't ever come back to this page to start over. This is the launching pad. You've already begun, even if you fall.
If you want to review this page, please do, but do not come back here to start over.
54/60
A. Pray for the day, for friends, for family, for enemies. Thanksgiving, Requests, Praise.
B. In the Fortify Program, Update the battle tracker. Go to week eight and check out "Unleashing the Power of Your Community."
C. Go to the daily readings and read today's Scripture.
D. Journal the following: 1. Make a list of all the areas in which thoughts float into your head. 2. Come up with a plan to avoid giving them any additional thoughts.
Today's Tips: When the urges come get up. Stop. Breathe. Pray. Practice physically shooing away flies that might be flying around your head. This may look funny and might even make you laugh. Consider this a Mr. Miyagi "Wax on. Wax Off." technique to use for when you're in battle again.
God give you strength. See you tomorrow.
Don't ever come back to this page to start over. This is the launching pad. You've already begun, even if you fall.
If you want to review this page, please do, but do not come back here to start over.
54/60