The Cell

A disciple despairs because he feels like a failure:

I am tormented because I can't fast and I get distracted when I try and weave mats. So perhaps it might be better if I went and visited (episkopein) the sick. At least doing so would be a sign of love.

His neighbour replied:

No, don't deceive yourself. Feel free to eat and drink and sleep all you wish. Only do not forsake your cave (apostatein). You see, this patient bearing of solitude sets a disciple in their right place in the order of things (taxis).

---------

episkopein - looking things over

apostatein - desertion of one's identity

taxis - the systematics of natural relationships

--------

Whether through boredom or by relying on our own designs it is only to be expected that we represent to ourselves what we have been enculturated to believe is a more fruitful and familiar way of life. In doing so we present ourselves to others as being somebody with a recognizable and acceptable identity. Rather, it is by traveling in a new and disconcerting manner (absolute, undistracted, and radical surrender to the living God) that we are able to lay aside these images of self-plausible identity in favour of a genuine discipleship where we lose our wills and become nothing; God uses this kind of person. So it is imperative that loneliness, solitude, confinement, and obscurity gradually comes to replace our false self; where this exists is in fact actually where we belong.