Orthodox Christianity, with its rich spiritual heritage, offers believers a transformative and profound guide on the path to spiritual ascent through the "Ladder of Divine Ascent." Penned by Saint John Climacus, this timeless work continues to inspire and guide adherents seeking to deepen their relationship with God and achieve spiritual perfection within the context of Orthodox faith. The Ladder serves as a testament to the ascetic tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church and provides a roadmap for believers to grow in faith, virtue, and divine communion.
The Ladder's Historical Significance in Orthodoxy:
Saint John Climacus, revered as a prominent ascetic and spiritual writer, composed the Ladder of Divine Ascent around the 7th century. This seminal work quickly gained recognition among Eastern Orthodox monastic communities, and its teachings continue to be cherished and practiced to this day. The Ladder epitomizes the hesychastic tradition of the Orthodox Church, emphasizing the importance of inner stillness and contemplation as means to experience the divine presence.
Structure and Symbolism of the Ladder:
The Ladder of Divine Ascent consists of thirty "steps," each representing a distinct virtue or vice that believers must navigate to reach spiritual enlightenment. The ladder metaphor emphasizes the gradual and progressive nature of the spiritual journey, signifying that each step leads closer to God. Climbing the ladder requires discipline, self-examination, and dedication to Orthodox practices
Saint John Climacus identifies and expounds upon various virtues and vices encountered during the spiritual ascent. These steps are designed to lead the faithful away from sin and towards holiness. Among the virtues emphasized are humility, obedience, purity of heart, and prayerful vigilance. Conversely, the vices include arrogance, avarice, gluttony, and anger, which hinder spiritual progress and distance the believer from God. Central to Orthodox spirituality and the Ladder of Divine Ascent is the concept of repentance and confession. Climacus stresses the significance of acknowledging one's sins and shortcomings as the first step towards spiritual growth. In the Orthodox tradition, the sacrament of confession is regarded as a profound means of cleansing the soul and restoring communion with God. Overall, the treatise does follow a progression that transitions from start (renunciation of the world) to finish (a life lived in love).
The steps are:
On renunciation of the world
On detachment
On exile or pilgrimage; concerning dreams that beginners have
On blessed and ever-memorable obedience (in addition to episodes involving many individuals)
On painstaking and true repentance which constitutes the life of the holy convicts; and about the Prison
On remembrance of death
On joy-making mourning
On freedom from anger and on meekness
On remembrance of wrongs
On slander or calumny
On talkativeness and silence
On lying
On despondency
On that clamorous mistress, the stomach
On incorruptible purity and chastity, to which the corruptible attain by toil and sweat
On love of money, or avarice
On non-possessiveness (that hastens one Heavenwards)
On insensibility, that is, deadening of the soul and the death of the mind before the death of the body
On sleep, prayer, and psalmody with the brotherhood
On bodily vigil and how to use it to attain spiritual vigil, and how to practise it
On unmanly and puerile cowardice
On the many forms of vainglory
On mad pride and (in the same Step) on unclean blasphemous thoughts; concerning unmentionable blasphemous thoughts
On meekness, simplicity, and guilelessness which come not from nature but from conscious effort, and about guile
On the destroyer of the passions, most sublime humility, which is rooted in spiritual perception
On discernment of thoughts, passions and virtues; on expert discernment; brief summary of all aforementioned
On holy stillness of body and soul; different aspects of stillness and how to distinguish them
On holy and blessed prayer, the mother of virtues, and on the attitude of mind and body in prayer
Concerning Heaven on earth, or Godlike dispassion and perfection, and the resurrection of the soul before the general resurrection
Concerning the linking together of the supreme trinity among the virtues; a brief exhortation summarizing all that has said at length in this book
The Ladder as a Practical Guide:
While the Ladder of Divine Ascent holds great theological and philosophical significance, it is equally a practical guide for Orthodox believers seeking spiritual development. Climacus offers insightful advice on the disciplines of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and attentiveness, which remain fundamental practices in the life of an Orthodox Christian.
The Ladder of Divine Ascent stands as a cherished treasure within Orthodox Christianity, guiding believers on the path of spiritual transcendence and union with God. Through the teachings of Saint John Climacus, the Ladder remains an enduring source of inspiration, offering valuable insights on virtues, vices, and the transformative power of the Orthodox faith. Embracing the wisdom of the Ladder allows adherents to embark on a journey of self-discovery and divine communion, leading to a deeper understanding of their faith and purpose in life.
A good place to start delving into the basics of the teachings of the ladder (in consultation with a spritual father) for the average lay person is:
Thirty Steps to Heaven: The Ladder of Divine Ascent for All Walks of Life
https://www.amazon.com.au/Thirty-Heaven-Ladder-Divine-Ascent/dp/1936270897