My child, as a rule you should have continual self-reproach. In every controversy, do a prostration first; thus you receive the crown first, and you cause your brother to repent. At all times reflect on the Lord Who humbled Himself, so that your soul is ready to endure every kind of humiliation for His love. That which plays the most important role in the spiritual struggle is for a person to learn to humble himself, reproach himself, and justify his neighbor. Whoever has learned this philosophy is surely gathering already the most sweet fruit of freedom from passions. Otherwise, he will drag his passions along with him to his great and constant grief. My child, reproach yourself constantly. Do not consider yourself to be right; whenever you hear something bad being said about you, say, “My brothers are right; that is how I am. I deserve even more slander because of my sins.” Always consider yourself lower than everyone and refrain from giving orders as one having authority. In short, humility in everything.
subm. no. 5 paragraphs: 14, 16, 17, 18 from pages 223-225
From the book
Councels from the Holy mountain
Selected from the letters and homilies of Elder Efraim of Arizona
Selection of passages from the book by Silviu Podariu
