We continue our studies of the Desert Fathers in class. The first poem we studied this past week during meditation class was written by the Desert Father Theodoros (The Book of Mystical Chapters; Shambhala; trans. John Anthony McGuckin.).

The poem begins:

The fragrance of expensive perfume,/ even when it is kept in its jar,/ will permeate every room in a house.

The second poem we studied this past week during meditation class was written by the Desert Father Symeon the New Theologian (The Book of Mystical Chapters; Shambhala; trans. John Anthony McGuckin.).

This poem begins:

You need to gain three things before all others:
The first is freedom from the anxieties of life;
the second is a clear conscience;
the third is complete detachment,
such that your thoughts no longer buzz around
materialities.