Status Updates From Nicodemos of the Holy Mount...

It is impossible for the heart to be cleansed unless all the other senses and powers of the soul (and body) are cleansed. Why? Because they are connected. The five external senses are connected to the center which is the heart. Like five lines coming out of a center point, from the outside the five appear to be many and separate, but when observed from the inside they appear to be one.

Turn to the prayer with controlled breathing especially when you are confronted with warring thoughts; when you are engaged in battle for your soul.

Beginners, and spiritually advanced when they want to return to taking hold of the Jesus Prayer, upon inhalation hold the breath just long enough to say one full Jesus Prayer. This focuses the mind.

Join this prayer with the seven daily prayers of the Church (of course, you read these!)

When distracted by the world and unable to pray, seek to set time apart at night, when all is quiet and dark, and pray the prayer.

Reading one chapter: Guarding the Mind and Heart, as an introduction to the "Path of Entry into the Philokalia"

Guarding our heart from evil thoughts and passions is even more important than guarding our senses from external harmful influences.