“What is natural, simple, and easy, and makes us happy, is the love of God, which is as natural as the eyes seeing and the mouth speaking.  The mouth is not able to walk, but has been made to speak. The hand is for holding, embracing, giving alms and to make the sign of the cross.  These are their natural functions and they are all very easy.  If you try to walk on your hands it will be difficult and uncomfortable, since this is not what they are made for.  In the same way, it is natural for the mind to be turned to and focused on the love of God, because it is toward God that the human mind naturally tends.  Just as our eyes naturally open to the light, so to does our mind open naturally to God, who is the Creator of light.”

+

Elder Aemilianos of Simonopetra Monastery

The Mystical Marriage  + Spiritual Life According to Saint Maximos the Confessor