No Constraints

Writing in his First Conference John Cassian draws together numerous areas that define the whole purpose of the contemplative life. But in doing so he notes that the actual practises themselves, such as solitude, asceticism, prayer, are merely incidental to the reality of the experience of God. The reason for this is that in and of themselves these may each be sought after for merely selfish purposes; they may simply be signs of affirming one's own stubborn ego. But for Cassian the breakthrough comes with love. This love needs to be directed toward God. This happens in quietude, in denying of one's self, and without undistracting influences. Indeed, for Cassian, charity...consists of purity of heart alone. And God allows that anyone may do this; it is not relegated to a certain class of individual.