Clouds from the 16th

[Shin]

'Dispassion is a peaceful condition of the soul in which the soul is not easily moved to evil.'

St. Maximos the Confessor

'The soul will not desire to be separated from the body unless it becomes indifferent to the very air it breathes. All the bodily senses are opposed to faith, for they are concerned with the objects of this present world, while faith is concerned only with the blessings of the life to come. Thus one pursuing the spiritual way should never be too greatly preoccupied with beautifully branched or shady trees, pleasantly flowing springs, flowery meadows, fine houses or even visits to his family; neither should he recall any public honors that he happens to have been given. He should gratefully be content with bare necessities, regarding this present life as a road passing through an alien land, barren of all worldly attractions. For it is only by concentrating our mind in this way that we can keep to the road that leads back to eternity.'

St. Diadochos of Photiki

'For him who is perfect in love and has reached the summit of dispassion there is no difference between his own or another's, or between Christians and unbelievers, or between slave and free, or even between male and female. But because he has risen above the tyranny of the passions and has fixed his attention on the single nature of man, he looks on all in the same way and shows the same disposition to all. For in him there is neither Greek nor Jew, male nor female, bond nor free, but Christ who "is all, and in all" (Col. 3:11; cf. Gal. 3:28).'

St. Maximos the Confessor

[eschator83]

Again, many thanks for sharing the wonder of the clouds and reminding us of the wonder of all creation.  This post has also inspired me, I hope, to learn much more about St Maximos, whose teachings seem so often to be clear, well written (and perhaps well translated), and from God.  Again, I thank you.  But, on the other hand, I am troubled by the phrase "the road that leads back to eternity," even though I feel strongly I've read this before somewhere in another reliable source.  Yet this seems to reflect the teaching of the Latter-day saints (aka Mormons) that all humans are incarnations of previously existent spirits.  Can you clarify if there are other sources for this?

[Shin]

I really don't see heretical interpretations as something one would read into any saints quotes habitually. Such should be discarded without a first thought. You can easily read the quotes many other ways, just like with scripture, and that is the proper approach. If one were to say something similar to 'back to eternity' 'back to God' 'back to Heaven' none of these should make one's first thoughts lead to that erroneous belief, since there are many proper ways to read the passage too. The writings of Holy Scripture and the saints have a context they are to be first understood within, that of the dogmas and doctrines and traditions of the Holy Catholic faith.

In other words you look for the good interpretations in proper context rather than the bad by habit.