Discourse 21

On the Prayers that are in Silence. 21. Who can know the limit of blessing, that sweet one, which in the silence of the tongue glorifies the heart, silently offering praise without ceasing, its tremor never ceasing from sweetness, while the body is blessed upon the knees and is silent? Blessed is he who partakes of these things with constancy! But they are of the will, and not whenever one wishes. This is the natural delight that is given to the soul, which is perfectly conducted before God in the conduct of silence. If, however, one toils in it with all simplicity, while being careful of the purity of his labor, and his conduct is equal, after a time he becomes worthy, and also of these first things that were said. For those who begin in conduct and whose mind is upright, first, through reading, grace makes them taste these things and those like them, and brings their thoughts near from the conception of earthly things to it. And they labor and keep vigil and pray, and do not reach it. For those, however, who have been slightly touched by the mysteries of silence, to them belongs the perception of prayer and of the liturgy.