There is such a thing as exile, an irrevocable renunciation of everything in one’s familiar surroundings that hinders one from attaining the ideal of holiness. Exile is a disciplined heart, unheralded wisdom, an unpublicized understanding, a hidden life, masked ideals. It is unseen meditation, the striving to be humble, a wish for poverty, the longing for what is divine. It is an outpouring of love, a denial of vainglory, a depth of silence. ~St. John Klimakos, The Ladder of Divine Ascent (from Daniel Larison’s “Eunomia” blog in the American Conservative)
Which is more conducive to “holiness,” escaping from the world, or not escaping from it? Well, we can answer that question either way, it seems to me, and come out all right, but I’m also fascinated by St. John’s ladder. We get off the ladder of success and get on the ladder of divine ascent. It’s a good trade, I think, but it seems we humans always have to have ladders. We always need to be going somewhere.
