Desert Wisdom 
Collection of the Wisdom of the Desert Fathers. St.Benedict pointed to the the writings of the early Desert Fathers, specifically mentioning the St. Basil and John Cassian (RB 73:5) as sources for “further perfection.”
Be Watchful of Your Thoughts
A brother asked one of the elders, “What shall I do? My thoughts are always turned to lust without allowing me an hour’s respite, and my soul is tormented by it.” He said to him, “Every time the demons suggest these thoughts to you, do not argue with them. For the activity of demons always… Read More ›
The Depth of Our Faith
We came near to a tree, led by our kindly host, and there we stumbled upon a lion. At the sight of him my guide and I quaked, but the saintly old man went unfaltering on and we followed him. The wild beast – you would say it was at the command of God –… Read More ›
Getting Closer to God
An old man persevered in fasting for seventy weeks, eating only once a week. He asked of God about [the meaning of] a certain passage in holy Scripture and God did not reveal it to him. He said to himself, “See how much labor I have undertaken and it has been of no profit to… Read More ›
On Staying Humble
An old man said, “Every time a thought of superiority or vanity (pride) moves you, examine your conscience to see if you have kept all the commandments, if you love your enemies and are grieved at their sins, if you consider yourself as an unprofitable servant and the greatest sinner of all. Even then, do… Read More ›
Abba Macarius and the Hyena
While Abba Macarius was praying in his cave in the desert, a hyena suddenly appeared and began to lick his feet and taking him gently by the hem of his tunic, she drew him towards her own cave. He followed her, saying, “I wonder what this animal wants me to do?” When she had led… Read More ›
What is humility?
An old man was asked, “What is humility?” and he said in reply, “Humility is a great work, and a work of God. The way of humility is to undertake bodily labor and believe yourself a sinner and make yourself subject to all.” Then a brother said, “What does it mean, to be subject to… Read More ›
God Looks for Obedience
The old men used to say, “If someone has faith in another and hands himself over to him in complete submission, he does not need to pay attention to God’s commandments but he can entrust his whole will to his father. He will suffer no reproach from God, for God looks for nothing from beginners… Read More ›
Laying Down Ones Soul for Another
Two brethren made their way to the city to sell their handiwork: and when in the city they went different ways, divided one from the other, one of them fell into fornication. After a while his brother came to him, saying, “Brother, let us go back to our cell.” But he answered, “I am not… Read More ›
The Way of Salvation
While he was still living in the imperial palace, Abba Arsenius prayed to God in these words, “Lord lead me in the way of salvation.” And a voice came to him saying, “Arsenius: flee from men and you will be saved.” Having withdrawn to the solitary life he made the same prayer again and he… Read More ›
Moderation in Our Work
A hunter in the desert saw Abba Antony enjoying himself with the brothers, and he was shocked. Wanting to show him that it was necessary sometimes to meet the needs of the brothers, the old man said to him, “Put an arrow in your bow and shoot it.” So he did. And the old man… Read More ›