AHAVA SARAH FISCHER

From the extra-biblical text  The Book of Enoch ( formerly part of the canon )  Chapter 31 1 After these things,  surveying the entrances of the north,  above the mountains,  I perceived seven mountains  replete with pure nard, odoriferous trees, cinnamon and papyrus. 2 From there I passed on above the summits of those mountains to some distance eastwards, and went over the Erythraean sea. (37) (37) Erythraean sea. The Red Sea. And when I was advanced far beyond it,  I passed along above the angel Zateel ,  and arrived at the garden of righteousness.  In this garden I beheld, among other trees, some which were numerous and large, and which flourished there. 3 Their fragrance was agreeable and powerful, and their appearance both varied and elegant.  The tree of knowledge also was there, of which if any one eats, he becomes endowed with great wisdom. 4 It was like a species of the...

St. John of the Cross describes Spiritual Gluttony.  In essence it is the striving for pleasure and the highs of sensory oriented spiritual experiences. It is a deviation in the walk in Christ that is noticed in most beginners. A distraction. Above all things, seek Wisdom ... "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. "  ~ Proverbs 4:7 Love, Sarah Ahava Fischer  THE DARK NIGHT  written by St. John of the Cross  - Chapter 6.  [The imperfections of spiritual gluttony.] 1. A great deal can be said on spiritual gluttony, the fourth vice. There are hardly any persons among these beginners, no matter how excellent their conduct, who do not fall into some of the many imperfections of this vice.   These imperfections arise because of the delight beginners find in their spiritual exe...