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Discover the Secrets of Orthodox Spirituality in With Pain And Love For Contemporary Man



With Pain And Love For Contemporary Man Pdf: A Review




Have you ever wondered about the meaning of life, the role of love, and the responsibility of being human? If so, you might be interested in reading With Pain And Love For Contemporary Man, a book by Elder Paisios of Mount Athos, one of the most revered Orthodox Christian monks of the 20th century. In this article, I will review this book and share with you its main themes, messages, strengths, and weaknesses. I will also give you my personal opinion and evaluation of the book, as well as some recommendations and implications for contemporary society.




With Pain And Love For Contemporary Man Pdf


Download: https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fmiimms.com%2F2ucRtC&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw3A5Usffkj2grF52rJkxgA0



Introduction




What is the book about?




With Pain And Love For Contemporary Man is a collection of writings by Elder Paisios, who lived from 1924 to 1994 in Greece. He was a monk who spent most of his life in solitude and prayer on Mount Athos, a peninsula that hosts many monasteries and is considered a holy place by Orthodox Christians. He was known for his wisdom, humility, compassion, and miracles, and was canonized as a saint in 2015.


The book is not a systematic or academic treatise, but rather a series of letters, notes, conversations, and anecdotes that Elder Paisios had with various people who visited him or sought his advice. The book covers a wide range of topics, such as faith, love, suffering, death, sin, repentance, prayer, humility, freedom, justice, peace, war, family, society, culture, politics, science, technology, ecology, and more. The book aims to offer spiritual guidance and consolation to contemporary people who face various challenges and difficulties in their lives.


Who is the author?




Elder Paisios was born as Arsenios Eznepidis in 1924 in Cappadocia, Turkey. He was forced to migrate to Greece with his family in 1924 due to the population exchange between Greece and Turkey after the Greco-Turkish War. He grew up in poverty and hardship, but also in faith and piety. He joined the army during World War II and fought against the Nazis. He became a monk in 1950 and moved to Mount Athos in 1954. He lived there until his death in 1994 from cancer.


Elder Paisios was not a scholar or a theologian. He had only elementary education and did not write any books himself. However, he had a profound knowledge of the Scriptures, the Church Fathers, and the spiritual tradition of Orthodoxy. He also had a gift of discernment and prophecy that enabled him to understand the hearts and minds of people and foresee future events. He was respected and loved by many people from different backgrounds and religions who came to him for counsel and help.


Why is it relevant for today's society?




With Pain And Love For Contemporary Man is a relevant and timely book for today's society because it addresses the most fundamental and existential questions that people have. It also offers a critique and a challenge to the modern worldview and lifestyle that often lead to alienation, despair, and violence. It proposes a different way of living and relating to God, oneself, others, and nature, based on the Orthodox Christian faith and spirituality.


The book is not meant to be read as a historical or cultural document, but rather as a living and personal testimony of a man who experienced God's love and grace in his life. The book is not intended to impose or proselytize, but rather to invite and inspire. The book is not meant to be taken literally or dogmatically, but rather to be interpreted and applied according to one's own context and needs. The book is not meant to be read once and forgotten, but rather to be revisited and reflected upon repeatedly.


Main themes and messages




The human condition and the need for love




One of the main themes of the book is the human condition and the need for love. Elder Paisios describes the contemporary man as a "spiritual orphan" who suffers from loneliness, emptiness, and insecurity. He attributes this to the loss of faith in God, the neglect of the soul, and the obsession with materialism and consumerism. He says that people today are "living corpses" who have no purpose or direction in life.


The only solution, according to Elder Paisios, is to rediscover the love of God, who is the source and goal of all existence. He says that God loves us unconditionally and infinitely, even when we sin and rebel against Him. He says that God is not a distant or angry judge, but a loving and merciful father who wants to save us from our misery and grant us eternal life. He says that God is not a tyrant or a dictator, but a friend and a partner who respects our freedom and invites us to cooperate with Him.


Elder Paisios also emphasizes the need for human love, which is a reflection and expression of divine love. He says that we are created in the image and likeness of God, who is love, and therefore we are called to love one another as ourselves. He says that love is not a feeling or an emotion, but a decision and an action. He says that love is not selfish or possessive, but selfless and generous. He says that love is not passive or indifferent, but active and compassionate.


The spiritual crisis and the search for meaning




Another main theme of the book is the spiritual crisis and the search for meaning. Elder Paisios diagnoses the contemporary society as suffering from a spiritual illness that manifests itself in various forms of anxiety, depression, addiction, violence, corruption, injustice, war, and ecological destruction. He attributes this to the lack of faith in God, the rejection of the moral law, and the pursuit of pleasure and power.


The only cure, according to Elder Paisios, is to seek God's will and follow His commandments. He says that God has a plan and a purpose for each one of us, which we can discover through prayer, meditation, reading the Scriptures, listening to our conscience, consulting our spiritual fathers, and observing the signs of the times. He says that God's will is not arbitrary or oppressive, but wise and beneficial. He says that God's commandments are not burdensome or restrictive, but liberating and fulfilling.


Elder Paisios also stresses the importance of finding meaning in life through serving God and others. He says that we are not here to enjoy ourselves or to dominate others, but to glorify God and to help our fellow human beings. He says that we are not here to accumulate wealth or fame, but to share our gifts and talents with those in need. He says that we are not here to compete or to compare ourselves with others, but to cooperate and to complement each other.


The ethical challenge and the call for responsibility




```html Strengths and weaknesses




The strengths of the book




The book has many strengths that make it a valuable and inspiring read for contemporary people. Some of the strengths are:


The clarity and simplicity of the language




Elder Paisios writes in a clear and simple language that is easy to understand and follow. He does not use complicated or technical terms, but rather common and everyday words. He uses examples, stories, analogies, and metaphors to illustrate his points and to appeal to the reader's imagination and emotions. He also uses humor, irony, and sarcasm to make his arguments more engaging and persuasive.


The depth and richness of the insights




Elder Paisios offers deep and rich insights into the human condition and the spiritual life. He draws from his own personal experience, as well as from the wisdom of the Scriptures, the Church Fathers, and the saints. He does not shy away from addressing difficult or controversial issues, such as suffering, evil, death, sin, repentance, hell, heaven, etc. He does not give easy or superficial answers, but rather challenges the reader to think critically and to seek the truth.


The practical and realistic suggestions




Elder Paisios provides practical and realistic suggestions on how to live a Christian life in today's world. He does not impose or dictate, but rather advises and encourages. He does not expect or demand perfection, but rather progress and growth. He does not condemn or judge, but rather supports and forgives. He does not promise or guarantee happiness or success, but rather peace and joy.


The weaknesses of the book




The book also has some weaknesses that may limit its appeal or impact for some readers. Some of the weaknesses are:


The lack of empirical evidence and references




Elder Paisios does not provide any empirical evidence or references to support his claims or opinions. He does not cite any scientific studies, statistical data, historical facts, or academic sources. He relies solely on his own authority and credibility as a spiritual father and a saint. This may make his arguments less convincing or acceptable for some readers who value rationality and objectivity.


The possible bias and subjectivity of the author




Elder Paisios may have some bias and subjectivity in his views and perspectives. He writes from his own cultural and religious background, which is Greek Orthodox Christianity. He may not be aware of or sensitive to other cultures and religions that have different beliefs and values. He may also have some personal preferences or prejudices that influence his judgments and evaluations. This may make his arguments less relevant or applicable for some readers who have different backgrounds and experiences.


The limited scope and perspective of the analysis




Elder Paisios may have a limited scope and perspective in his analysis of contemporary society. He focuses mainly on the spiritual and moral aspects of human life, while neglecting or ignoring other aspects such as social, economic, political, environmental, etc. He also tends to generalize and simplify complex and diverse phenomena into binary oppositions such as good vs evil, God vs Satan, faith vs atheism, etc. This may make his arguments less comprehensive or nuanced for some readers who have a broader or deeper understanding of reality.


Conclusion




Summary of the main points




In conclusion,With Pain And Love For Contemporary Man is a book by Elder Paisios of Mount Athos that offers spiritual guidance and consolation to contemporary people who face various challenges and difficulties in their lives. The book is a collection of writings by Elder Paisios that cover a wide range of topics such as faith, love, suffering, death, sin, repentance, prayer, humility, freedom, justice, peace, war, family, society, culture, politics, science, technology, ecology, and more. The book has three main themes and messages: the human condition and the need for love, the spiritual crisis and the search for meaning, and the ethical challenge and the call for responsibility. The book has many strengths, such as the clarity and simplicity of the language, the depth and richness of the insights, and the practical and realistic suggestions. The book also has some weaknesses, such as the lack of empirical evidence and references, the possible bias and subjectivity of the author, and the limited scope and perspective of the analysis.


Personal opinion and evaluation




Personally, I found the book to be very inspiring and enlightening. I learned a lot from Elder Paisios's wisdom and experience, and I felt a connection with his genuine and humble personality. I agreed with most of his views and values, and I appreciated his honesty and courage. I also found his suggestions to be helpful and realistic, and I tried to apply them in my own life.


However, I also recognized some limitations and shortcomings of the book. I realized that Elder Paisios was not a scholar or a scientist, but a monk and a saint. I understood that he was not writing for an academic or a secular audience, but for a religious and a spiritual one. I respected his authority and credibility, but I also questioned some of his claims and opinions. I also acknowledged that he was writing from a specific cultural and religious context, which may not be applicable or relevant for everyone.


Therefore, I evaluated the book not as a definitive or authoritative source of truth, but as a personal and subjective testimony of faith. I did not accept everything he said uncritically, but I also did not reject everything he said automatically. I used my own reason and conscience to discern what was true and good for me, and what was not. I also tried to learn from other sources and perspectives that could complement or challenge his views.


Recommendations and implications




I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in exploring the Christian faith and spirituality, especially from an Orthodox perspective. I think this book can be beneficial for both believers and non-believers, as it offers a fresh and authentic vision of God, humanity, and the world. I think this book can also be useful for anyone who is looking for meaning and purpose in life, as it provides a clear and compelling answer to the existential questions that people have.


However, I would also advise the readers to be aware of the limitations and weaknesses of the book, as I mentioned before. I would suggest the readers to read the book with an open mind and a critical eye, and to compare and contrast it with other sources and perspectives. I would also encourage the readers to not just read the book passively, but to engage with it actively. I would urge the readers to not just accept or reject what Elder Paisios says, but to question and dialogue with him. I would also invite the readers to not just learn from the book intellectually, but to live it practically.


The implications of this book for contemporary society are significant and profound. The book challenges the dominant worldview and lifestyle that are based on materialism, consumerism, individualism, relativism, nihilism, etc. The book proposes a different way of living and relating that is based on faith, love, service, responsibility, etc. The book calls for a radical transformation of oneself and the world, according to God's will and plan.


FAQs




Here are some frequently asked questions about the book:


  • Where can I find the book?



  • You can find the book online as a PDF file here: https://www.scribd.com/document/367686978/With-Pain-and-Love-for-Contemporary-Man. You can also order a printed copy from various online stores such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble.



  • Who is Elder Paisios?



  • Elder Paisios was a Greek Orthodox monk who lived from 1924 to 1994 on Mount Athos in Greece. He was known for his wisdom, humility, compassion, and miracles. He was canonized as a saint by the Orthodox Church in 2015.



  • What is Orthodoxy?



  • Orthodoxy is one of the major branches of Christianity, along with Catholicism and Protestantism. It traces its origins to the apostolic church founded by Jesus Christ and his disciples. It preserves the original teachings and traditions of Christianity as handed down by the apostles, the church fathers, and the ecumenical councils. It emphasizes the mystery of God's grace, the beauty of liturgy, the centrality of icons, the veneration of saints, the importance of asceticism, and the unity of faith.



  • What are some other books by Elder Paisios?



  • ```html Spiritual Counsels, Family Life, and Elder Paisios of Mount Athos.



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