I have been reading Letters From the Desert for a directed study I am doing this summer. I have found the letters of Abba John to be very practical, so over the next few days I will share some of his practical desert wisdom.
Question. If I am sitting with some secular people and they begin idle talk, should I stay or depart?And if it is necessary for me to stay, then what should I do?
Response by Abba John
If it is not necessary for you to stay then depart; if it is indeed necessary for you to stay, then transfer your intellect to prayer, without condemning the others, but realizing your own weaknesses.
Letters from the Desert:Barsanuphius and John
