Posted by Schlepo on October 20, 2018, at 21:25:32
In reply to Imagination and fantasy . meds, posted by cadburyhesychasm on October 9, 2018, at 20:14:52
It seems apparent that you're mistakenly applying the concept of "prelest" to the social sphere, when it is supposed to be limited to the spiritual. Fantasizing that you're close friends with God or that people should consider you a saint would be an appropriate form of prelest. Just fantasizing about being popular and successful in your community is not, but it seems like you're using a repentant mechanism that would be appropriate for prelest against your social fantasies.
A pious man who committed the prelest of thinking he's a saint would possibly repent by admitting that no one should treat him as such. By imagining that no one loves you, you're punishing yourself for having fantasies of the opposite. But since your fantasies I'm assuming have nothing to do with God or the church, that doctrine of prelest shouldn't apply,and you have nothing to repent for. Excessive fantasizing does have some issues of its own, maybe even within the church, but they don't belong under such an extreme doctrine as prelest. No community would be able to live that way.
I don't know if Paul's letters are part of Orthodox scripture, but you may be able to find some comfort in 1 Corinthians 10:13:
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
poster:Schlepo
thread:1101279
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20180728/msgs/1101471.html