Well, fren, your answer seems pretty categorical, so in all honesty, I did contemplate whether it makes sense to continue this thread or not. But perhaps this is a new perspective for you to consider or maybe it will help someone else reading it, so here it is: When you start on the path and began praying earnestly, fasting and taking Communion - you will be tried at every step. The demons are waiting and they will wage war against you. They will tempt you and deceive you in every way possible, including giving you false visions of God and Christ. They will put thoughts in your head, thoughts that will scare you and disgust you. They will try you on every single trait of your character, and you will need all the help you can get. Many good souls have been lost on this path, with many succumbing towards the end to the most insidious sin of all - Pride. The Saints, although regular people like you and I once, are titans, because they were able to overcome. But they had the help of Jesus, Virgin Mary and all the other Saints and so any Christian applying himself/herself earnestly to the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles should ask for their help. They will help, all you have to do is ask. The book I pointed above talks about this at great length. BTW, Fr. Seraphim Rose's relics are buried at Platina, CA.

Well, fren, in all honesty, I did contemplate whether it makes sense to continue this thread or not. But perhaps this is a new perspective for you to consider or maybe it will help someone else reading it, so here it is: When you start on the path and began praying earnestly, fasting and taking Communion - you will be tried at every step. The demons are waiting and they will wage war against you. They will tempt you and deceive you in every way possible, including giving you false visions of God and Christ. They will put thoughts in your head, thoughts that will scare you and disgust you. They will try you on every single trait of your character, and you will need all the help you can get. Many good souls have been lost on this path, with many succumbing towards the end to the most insidious sin of all - Pride. The Saints, although regular people like you and I once, are titans, because they were able to overcome. But they had the help of Jesus, Virgin Mary and all the other Saints and so any Christian applying himself/herself earnestly to the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles should ask for their help. They will help, all you have to do is ask. The book I pointed above talks about this at great length. BTW, Fr. Seraphim Rose's relics are buried at Platina, CA.