Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
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Author: Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
Format: Paperback
Pages: 212
“Love little things, and strive for that which is modest and simple. The Lord watches over us, and He is pleased that you long for His peace. Until the soul is ready, He will only sometimes allow us to see that He is present everywhere and fills all things. At these moments the soul feels such joy!… But then the Lord conceals Himself from us again, in order that we might long for Him and seek Him with our hearts!” —Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica was one of the most renowned spiritual guides of Serbia in the twentieth century. As a novice he lived in obedience to Elder Ambrose of Miljkovo Monastery, a disciple of the Optina Elders. From him Fr. Thaddeus learned the Prayer of the Heart and the selfless love that came to characterize his whole ministry to the suffering Serbian people.
Born in 1914, Elder Thaddeus lived through all the suffering endured by Serbia in the twentieth century. Over the course of two World Wars, during the Communist takeover, and through the NATO bombings of 1999, he co-suffered with his people. He taught, counseled, and prayed for all who came to him in pain and sorrow. His words of love and hope provided spiritual balm for people from all classes of society.
In 2002 Elder Thaddeus reposed, leaving behind a large collection of his teachings, preserved by his faithful spiritual children. His life, teachings, and spiritual conversations are here presented for the first time in English.
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Orthodox may be aware of the common secular teaching of the Law of Attraction, that whatever you think about, will obediently given to you by the universe.
Elder Thaddeus does not endorse this New Age teaching but he does offer what might be called a Little Law of Attraction, that if you think thoughts of peace you will get more and bigger thoughts of peace, and if you think thoughts of anger you will get more and bigger thoughts of anger, and conflict with them.
It is my opinion that this Little Law of Attraction is ultimately much more interesting than the New Age feature. It has no pretensions of being a route to get a castle and a BMW SUV, but it does legitimately promote peaceful and joyful interactions with the people you are with.
This book spurred several items on my site, such as "The Orthodox Martial Art is Living the Sermon on the Mount," https://cjshayward.com/orthodox-martial-art/.