Abstract

St. Maximos the Confessor, a 7th-century monk, wrote several ascetical treatises that addressed the monastic life. This article explores the role of unwanted intrusive thoughts, the logismoi, outlined in two of his earlier works, the Centuries on Love and the Questions and Doubts. The author encourages the reader to pay particular attention to one’s thoughts, take the time to familiarize oneself with the thoughts that enter one’s mind, and offers advice on how to eliminate the causes of unwanted intrusive thoughts. He concludes that the mind or nous is considered neutral ground and one is able to control, but not completely eradicate, the unwanted thoughts by utilizing specific spiritual techniques.