Soul Sister Time

            In the fourth century Evagrius Ponticus described three levels of spiritual growth which is the basis of all orthodox Christian spiritual direction.   These are commonly known as Purgative, Illuminative and Unitive.             I have found the three ways helpful guides as I long to grow closer to God.   They help me recognize spiritual growth in my life as well as explain spiritual progress to others.   These three ways point me to God and show me how to detach from the world. They remind me that the goal of my Christian life is to be one with God.             In the Purgative, souls purge themselves from the world.   Along with humility, losing interest in the world’s offerings is the real beginning of the spiritual journey.   Finally the world pales in comparison to knowing t...

            Lately I have been thinking of the spiritual life as climbing a ladder.   The rungs of the ladder support you and take you above to a place that is higher than earth’s gravity (the world) will allow you to reach.   You are grounded by the rungs of the ladder; however, the rungs are held firm as a place for you to stand by two poles.   Spiritual progress is like climbing a ladder: you need the rungs and the poles in order to climb higher.               The rungs on the ladder can be thought of as formed from the cross of Christ.     Jesus, sent from the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit, is the firm foundation that we stand on as we progress towards our ultimate destination, which is intimacy with the Trinity.   The outcome of spiritual progress is oneness with God.   Sometimes we lose track of this purpose, but...