Therefore we ought to keep our hearts with all watchfulness lest the desire for God be dislodged and driven from our souls by evil desires and filthy thoughts. On the contrary, let each one of us set on our souls the seal of the divine form and figure by means of the assiduous recollection and memory of God. Then that seal will not be moved by any disturbances whatever. If the fire of desire for divine charity burns in us, then the mind and the soul will be illuminated by the frequent memory of God and we will be lifted up and raised for the task of keeping the commandments.
St. Basil
Small Asceticon 2; PL 103, col. 429b.
