Below is a series of short phrases, or maxims, each of which, Fr. Thomas Hopko found to be very practical and helpful. The list was created by Fr. Thomas Hopko, an Orthodox Priest and Theologian. We can oftentimes think that the spiritual life is very complicated and hard to live. To help with this problem, Fr. Thomas was asked to come up with a simple and concise list of the essence of our Life in Christ as we struggle on the path towards salvation (aka, union with God, healing of all aspects of the person). He came up with these 55 maxims (Note: We may have added a couple more). We have simply arranged each under Willard’s components of the person, and added a couple, based on our experiences with his initial listing.

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01.  Adapted to the Various Aspects of the Person Thoughts

1. Say the Lord’s Prayer several times each day. 
2. Repeat a short prayer (such as the Jesus Prayer) when your mind is not occupied. 
3. Do not engage intrusive thoughts and feelings. 
4. Reveal all your thoughts and feelings to a trusted person regularly. 
5. Read the scriptures regularly. 
6. Read good books, a little at a time. 
7. Live a day, even a part of a day, at a time. 
8. Be totally honest, first of all with yourself. 
9. Do your work, then forget it. 
10. Do the most difficult and painful things first. 
11. Face reality. 
12. Be awake and attentive, fully present where you are. 
13. Think and talk about things no more than necessary. 
14. Flee imagination, fantasy, analysis, figuring things out. 
15. Flee carnal, sexual things at their first appearance. 

 

Feelings 

1. Do acts of mercy in secret. 
2. Do not engage intrusive thoughts and feelings. 
3. Reveal all your thoughts and feelings to a trusted person regularly. 
4. Practice gratitude. 
5. Practice cheerfulness. 
6. Be simple, hidden, quiet and small. 
7. Learn something from each persistent feeling you have. 

 

Body/Senses 

1. Sit in silence 20 to 30 minutes each day. 
2. Make some prostrations (get your body involved) when you pray.  
3. Eat good foods in moderation and fast on fasting days. 
4. Go to liturgical services regularly. 
5. Maintain cleanliness and order in your home. 
6. Exercise regularly. 
7. Have a healthy, wholesome hobby. 
8. Have a daily schedule of activities, avoiding whim and caprice. 

 

Social 

1. Be an ordinary person, one of the human race. 
2. Be polite with everyone, first of all family members. 
3. Be faithful in little things. 
4. Never bring attention to yourself. 
5. Listen when people talk to you. 
6. Speak simply, clearly, firmly, directly. 
7. Don’t complain, grumble, murmur, or whine. 
8. Don’t seek or expect pity or praise. 
9. Don’t compare yourself with anyone. 
10. Don’t judge anyone for anything. 
11. Don’t try to convince anyone of anything. 
12. Don’t defend or justify yourself. 
13. Be defined and bound by God, not people. 
14. Accept criticism gracefully and test it carefully. 
15. Give advice only when asked or when it is your duty. 
16. Do nothing for people that they can and should do for themselves. 
17. Be merciful with yourself and others. 
18. Have no expectations except to be fiercely tempted to your last breath. 
19. Get help when you need it, without fear or shame. 

 

Heart/Spirit/Will 

1. Be always with Christ and trust God in everything. 
2. Pray as you can, not as you think you must. 
3. Have a keepable rule of prayer done by discipline. 
4. Practice silence, inner and outer. 
5. Go to confession and holy communion regularly. 
6. Cultivate communion with the saints. 
7. Focus exclusively on God and light, and never on darkness, temptation, and sin. 
8. Endure the trial of yourself and your faults serenely, under God’s mercy. 
9. When you fall, get up immediately and start over.