The Philokalia: On Guarding the Intellect

In this excerpt from the Philokalia, Saint Isaac the Solitary leads young ascetics through twenty seven texts discussing important points for those who have undertaken spiritual vows of the Christian life.

In this passage, he describes the pitfalls of leaving the door of our heart (the intellect), unguarded. This holds even more true after we have received some spiritual consolation in the gifts of peace or joy.