Answer to anxiety - St Paisios the Athonite

The answer to our anxiety is not drugs, alcohol, tranquilizers or psychiatric treatment. It will not be cured by Yoga or some new age or eastern meditation practice. 

 

The problem is that we have lost God as the center of our lives. Once we make our love of God the primary focus of our lives and allow His grace to work though us, then no matter what circumstance we encounter in life we will be comforted and embraced in His love. All anxiety disappears. 

 

This is the aim of the Orthodox way of life, to put God first and seek the Holy Spirit. The anxieties of modern life are only symptoms of our separation from God.

St. Paisios the Athonite 

Insomnia indication of rift between us and God - St John Chrysostom

Nearly all of us, at times, find ourselves unable to sleep at night. We lie awake during the dark, silent hours. This rarely happens when our hearts and souls are at peace; it usually happens when we are troubled in some way. 

For this reason, do not curse your lack of sleep. These times of wakefulness have been sent by God, as a sign that something is wrong and as a period for reflection. 

So when you cannot sleep, allow the thoughts that lie deepest in your heart to rise up to the surface.

St John Chrysostom