orthodoxgladness:

Quietness is the way to cleanse yourself from passions.

The noise in the bus. The women talking. Gossiping. Speaking of hair appointments. Chance meetings. Places to eat. People they knew.

So many sounds. The movement of tires. The rattling of glass. The hum of the highway.

And here I wrestled to pray. Even a word. One Jesus Prayer. Even closing my eyes was of little use.

And in the noise I could feel my passions grow. Anger. Frustration. Judgement. Selfishness. Ego.

To be found on the mountainside. In Solitude. Praying. It is joy in the Soul. To be alone with God.