"There is a tendency to want to advance faster in prayer and prayerfulness than we are capable of at the time. This was true in the desert in the fourth century just as it is in modern society. Knowing this, Abba Macarius once said:
" 'Don't try to understand everything. Take on board as much as you can and try to make it work for you. Then the things that are hidden will be made clear to you.'
"During the day seek to be intrigued about all that you experience in prayer and life. Don't try to understand, control, judge, or compare. Simply experience it. There will be time later to reflect in a critical way on it. In this way you will see and hear so much more than you ever expected."
