I picture this as a long thread or multiple threads. Maybe it belongs in a group or other forum, but I didn\'t find one that seemed suitable so I\'m posting here. Feel free to advise me on better places to carry on this discussion.
Okay. Let\'s say that I want to act in accordance with the tradition and writings that say one\'s ascetic life ought to be under guidance from another or others. The tradition and the prayers speak most often of a spiritual father serving this role.
Let\'s pretend we\'re writing a book or article in the famous \"Dummies\" series, on the subject of finding and working with a spiritual father. How would I hunt for a spiritual father? How would I recognize one if I met one? The tradition of elders says that one owes unconditional obedience to one\'s elder. What obedience is involved or expected or implied in a long-term relationship with a spiritual father? What frequency of interaction is required or suitable or optimal in a relationship with a spiritual father? What is the overlap or difference between a spiritual father and a \"confessor\"?
Again, feel free to advise a different place to hold this discussion than here in the coffee-hour forum.
Clark
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