The Ladder During Lent

[Monica, child of God]

Does anyone know the pattern for reading the Ladder during Lent? Is it divided up a specific way? Is it read only Monday through Friday and suspended on Saturday and Sunday like the prayer of St. Ephraim and the OT readings?

Monica

[Knowledge3]

I read the outline of the book and it is described as path of virtues and levels of progress.

I've put off reading the Ladder and the Philokalia until chrismation.


Peace.

[Orthocat]

Can't help you there. Do it under guidance however (of course you know that though :) )

I, in my arrogance of thinking I could understand any "theology", read this as a catechumen without guidance. There were certain parts that almost wiped me out (Step 5). (It's my understanding there is a layman version that is edited to keep from blowing people's minds.)

It is a wonderful, awesome, terrible, hard, holy book that I will reread in years to come.

[Monica, child of God]

Thanks Orthocat. I asked my priest about reading this a month after my chrismation and he advised against it. Now that I have been Orthodox for a little while I asked him again and he gave his approval. We'll see how it goes. I haven't ordered it yet but I wanted to be prepared.

M.

[Protoevangel]

If you haven't started it yet, I would probably just play it by ear. Count backwards 30 days (one for each of the 30 rungs of the ladder), and if you have extra days, take a day off after reading a particularly challenging chapter. If you end early, reread those challenging chapters, or perhaps pick up "Ascending the Heights", to soften the blow somewhat.

Just a couple ideas from an ignorant catechumen who has not read "Ladder" yet.

[Philothei]

The disclosures of St. Gregory the New Theologian seems to me more profitable than the Ladder, I read it while I was in graduate school. I read Klimakos but it is for monastics, hate to say that, but who ever wants or thinks of taking that road it would be a perfect starting point. Klimakos is steep and strict. He will challenge any serious Christian who "thinks" there is an easy way to attain spiritual perfection.

In comparisson ,The disclosures of St. Gregory, is a big book and published by Paulist Press, I enjoyed it very much as an on the side reading during my graduate studying. He talks about all the stages of spiritual growth that too is directed towards the monastics but also gives personal and practical guidance and insight. I do not mean to be off topic for this thread though so forgive me...my humble opinion.
http://www.paulistpress.com/ppos/images/items/0-8091-2230-8.jpg

God bless,
Philothei

[Akathist]

I have only received the blessings to read the "Layman's Guide" version of this. To be honest, I try to read one "step" a day and find that I miss once in a while so that I don't really finish it until very close to Pascha.

[Grigorii]

St. John Klimakos is a tough read and indeed he aims at monastics, mostly. Some of his insights are helpful however even for those who live in the world. St. John living in a community has some interresting insights into relational dynamics.

That being said, he is certainly not recommended reading for catechumens or youngsters in the faith. Especially those who are relatively unaware of monastic practices in St. John's time and the kind of writing 'The Ladder' is.To read literature such as 'The Ladder' with spiritual profit takes time and effort. And needless to say one does not begin with 'The Ladder.'

Gregorios

[Monica, child of God]

Thanks for all of your input. You have given me fair warning as my priest has as well. I am not really looking to implement the teachings of the Ladder in my life per se. My vocation for now is in the world with my family. I am rather looking to have a more informed understanding of monastic teachings in the East. Yes, I know there are a plethora of books concerning monasticism, but I really find that reading first hand material along with interpretations gives me a better perspective.

And if none if it makes sense to me at this point in my spiritual development, I will have lost nothing :)

M.

[Monica, child of God]

I have only received the blessings to read the "Layman's Guide" version of this. To be honest, I try to read one "step" a day and find that I miss once in a while so that I don't really finish it until very close to Pascha.

Can you provide a link to a bookseller for this version? Thanks.

M.

[Protoevangel]

Ascending the Heights (http://www.archangelsbooks.com/proddetail.asp?prod=CONMACKJO%2D03): A Layman's Guide to The Ladder of Divine Ascent
by Fr. John Mack
http://www.archangelsbooks.com/prodimages/Large/Books/CONMACKJO-03.jpg

[Akathist]

Ascending the Heights (http://www.archangelsbooks.com/proddetail.asp?prod=CONMACKJO%2D03): A Layman's Guide to The Ladder of Divine Ascent
by Fr. John Mack
http://www.archangelsbooks.com/prodimages/Large/Books/CONMACKJO-03.jpg

Yep that is it! But I bought mine for about $6 here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1888212179/ref=pd_bbs_sr_olp_1/103-9494825-1363812?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1172821922&sr=8-1

[Monica, child of God]

Thanks!