Therefore, when we read a book (or just converse), that is, eavesdrop on someone else’s conversation, the primary task for us is to understand what is being discussed (and for this you need to know: When was it said? Who said it? To whom? For what? – see Ch. I). And remember, the maximum I will get from eavesdropping is interest and desire, for the maximum realization of which direct conversation with the author or witness of the reality being discussed is mandatory. (It is possible to reach the goal on your own only with the help of books, or accidentally stumble upon (come across) a Treasure – but these are exceptions that prove the rule; this criterion works in all areas of human knowledge, but especially acutely in spiritual life – details below). Thus, if those women spoke a foreign language that I do not know – even if they talked about what is most necessary for me (which would decide the question of life and death), their conversation would never interest me (because I have no idea to communicate with them about something, and their words, which involuntarily fly through the ears, have no chance to stay in consciousness – that’s exactly how (99%) we read books!), because I do not understand what they are talking about! (“Faith comes from hearing” – and I understand nothing, which is tantamount to – not hearing!?). A similar situation, for example, with reading the Bible (or the Holy Scripture in general), whose language (as a verbal icon – see above) is symbolic! The Word – as an icon of reality – on the rational level evokes only desire (awakens the will), provided there is appropriate reflective analogy in memory, corresponding experience, to partake of the reality indicated by the word. To fully understand the word (what the author wanted to say, to the knowledge of what he calls) can only be done in direct communication with the author or other participants in this experience, about which the word speaks (if, of course, you have not already experienced this reality – for you then everything is clear, as a participant). Similarly, we reason about the experience of the Kingdom of God, Happiness. Do not forget about this!
And one more thing I will say: it happens that a person works on something for many years (30, 40…) and records the results of their fruitful labors in a book, and then a “smarty-pants” appears, a greenhorn (an infant in the knowledge of Theology – V.A.), who reads this work in two hours and says that he understood everything; and not only that – he begins to accuse of heresy, finds thousands of errors and contradictions!? Such greenhorns take it upon themselves to criticize and accuse such men as Vladimir Lossky, John Zizioulas, Alexander Schmemann, Anthony of Sourozh, Alexei Osipov (when we talk about theologians from the neighboring state – we mean only theology, because in political matters they are almost all “brainwashed”, or speak pedagogically, about which the impossibility of direct communication with them does not give the right to judge to the end; do not pay attention to politics – and if they think incorrectly due to a lack of information or for some other reasons, do not get irritated, but better pray for them to the Lord) and other brothers and sisters! And if those infant-children could read books and listen to others – everything would be different!..
Therefore, our modest efforts have one goal – to interest us in verifying the Gospel of the Church by our own lives. But to become interested in something – you need to first understand what is being discussed, and then report to yourself: do I need what is being discussed (in the words of the Church – Happiness), or not! Therefore, we try to convey the Gospel in the language of the 21st century, primarily to formal “Christians” (who need nothing, who neither want Paradise nor fear hell). If I have succeeded in this (arousing your interest and desire to know Christ even as a mustard seed – then I am infinitely grateful to God for involving me in the Work of the Gospel, and if not, then I am still Infinitely grateful to God for everyone and everything!), and you have received some spiritual fruit, then pray for us to the Lord, that He may continue to aid the labors of all missionaries in the field of Christ, in the preaching of the Gospel of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God!
I was already planning to conclude this chapter, but then again stones were thrown at me by zealots of earthly, fleshly, sinful truth and justice! A reader, who, by the irony of fate, had to read the first five chapters (several chapters were written and immediately went to print among people, so I promptly made corrections, edits, remarks, which came in). He attacked me (verbally) for calling him happy (we said that everyone is happy, hell is destroyed – it does not exist, we are resurrected beings and much other Gospel). Response: “I am happy?! You are happy yourself! Your children are happy! And all of you there are happy!?”. And the essence, which the reader conveyed through those words: “You are a fool yourself! …