desert wisdom

"abba lot went to see abba joseph and said to him,

'abba, as far as i can,

i say my little office,

i fast a little,

i pray and meditate,

i live in peace and as far as i can,

i purify my thoughts.

what else can i do?'

then the old man stood up

and stretched his hands toward heaven.

his fingers became like ten lamps of fire and he said to him,

'if you will, you can become all flame.'"