Joy & Jokiness: acquiring and losing the Holy Spirit

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The video 'Joy & Jokiness: acquiring and losing the Holy Spirit' was recorded by Fr Seraphim (Aldea) at Iona Monastery (The Orthodox Monastery of the Mother of God and All Saints of Iona), on the Isle of Iona.

[@robjodon8535]

I am Anglo Catholic Church of England however I support you my brother you are very anointed please keep me in your prayers

[@robjodon8535]

I am so glad God has brought me to you to see these videos you are very anointed my brother you definitely are a true vessel for our Lord thank you

[@diannes8592]

I really needed to hear this today! This has been something that has been on my mind for a long time. When I rejected God totally a few years ago, I began practicing "laughter yoga"... long story short, I kicked the door wide open for the demons. Things got really scary, really fast. Praise God for His grace and mercy! I could only fall on my face, repent, and beg for His forgiveness for my foolishness.

[@thecossackcrusaderofholybr8448]

@TheGoddessVenus I would like to hear it

[@anthonypeggs2051]

Father Bless, please pray for me. I am an Orthodox Christian. I struggle with depression and despondency. Please pray for me a sinner. Kissing your Right Hand, Anthony

[@robynmarler1951]

God bless you, friend Anthony☕

[@aphremdanha5158]

I was there very recently, I am praying for you. Stay strong, do not lose hope in the Lord, cling to Him. What helped me was saying the Jesus prayer and learning/knowing the saints and martyrs before us went through this too. I am happy to keep in touch if needed, Brother Anthony. Remember, You are not ever alone.

[@mullmonastery]

My dear one, may Christ bless you beyond hope. Allow yourself to be less than what you would like; for a while, be kinder to yourself, be more patient to yourself. Give yourself time to heal - in fact, learn to wait in peace for Christ to step in and do the healing Himself. St Seraphim (whom we quote in the video), used to ask all his spiritual children to start the day by opening the window for cold fresh air, and cleaning their room, so that the order around them would be reflected in an ordered mind. When we feel low, it is wise to start our healing from tidying the outside of our lives; slowly, that will be reflected inside too. Hope, have patience and hope some more, my dear one.

[@paulgentile1024]

​@@mullmonasteryFather thank you for all you do...

[@anthonypeggs2051]

@@robynmarler1951 thank you

[@Michael_Binkley]

Doamne Iisuse Hristoase, Fiul lui Dumnezeu, miluieste-ma pe mine pacatosul.

[@Iceland874]

Prayer and surrender to God relieves our burdens and makes us feel lighter and full of joy. Being light hearted is okay as long as we continue to keep our eyes on Jesus. Giving thanks and praise to God is our reason for being. Thank you for all your videos Father.

[@deanaburnham9571]

Dearest Father, Thank you for your blessing! Your words come at a time when most needed. Always your words are needed and treasured. But the devil seems to be on a rampage today, and so your words are appreciated even more so than usual. Prayers for your joy, Fr Seraphim, and of the other monastics, and that "it may be made complete!" Lord have mercy on us all. ~

[@robynmarler1951]

Amen🌹🌹🌹

[@Owl1126]

Could you please expand on the difference between being in an emotional state during prayer and confusing that with a higher spiritual state?

[@mtndew616]

I wish to meet you in heaven. I'm so grateful for these videos.. I'm converting to Orthodox

[@aenigmatica8]

❤ Fascinating explanation of friendship vs spiritual relationship. I’d love to hear more.

[@ioannismetaxas4393]

There's a priest at a monastery I visited at the start of Great Lent this year, the joy on his face during the service of the hours was a truly beautiful sight

[@aidan4062]

Amen and thank you. I was blessed by the persistent peeping songbird nearby. A little chirping hope in a wide world that could easily crush him if not for Grace. -By your prayers

[@pilgrim-songs]

Thank you Fr. Seraphim. I identify a lot with this too, so it resonates. When you experience a cross, it's hard to live the Resurrection too, and when you experience a little dose of Resurrection joy, it's hard to soberly remember the Cross and somehow retain it within you. Im not sure if you have before, but it would be great to have a bit more talk on "familiarity" with others and how it manifests in daily life, what to avoid etc... as i think i myself am probably so used to it that i cannot discern right from wrong, expedient from harmful. Your blessing.

[@mullmonastery]

Thank God that there was something of use to you in this message, dear one. That always gives us hope and the courage to keep moving forward with our work. 'Familiarity' is a good topic, thank you for suggesting it. I'll wait for a while and see what Christ blesses.

[@bruno-bnvm]

Really complicated thing to talk about. Thank you.

[@user-ne8vl2uh8g]

I was thinking the same thing

[@JuliaJayATOP]

Me too

[@mikebaker2436]

As a companion to this video, I recommend going and finding talks by Teofil the Blind and stories about his life from people who knew him. You may come to see as I have that his holy joy and lightness seems to have been preserved by innocent simplicity and a deeper intimacy with God that didn't hesitate to be expressed through joy directly to and about God's creation. This way of praying may seem very childlike and foolish to us mature adults. Cleverness and frivolousness (the kinds that puff up) are the opposite of the earnest lightness that Teofil modeled for the world (the kind that humbles and spontaneously leads to more prayer).

[@mullmonastery]

To support our Monasteries on Mull and Iona, you may make a donation here mullmonastery.com/donation/ or join our Online Community here mullmonastery.com/our-online-community/ or join us on one of our 2024 Scottish Isles Pilgrimages here shop.mullmonastery.com/product/scottish-isles-pilgrimage-2024/ May God bless us all!

[@OurLadysTheology]

Very interesting Father. Thank you for this. God bless you through the intercession of His Most Blessed Mother. The proper worship given to Christ is important to notice. The sacrifice of the mind and heart in union with Christ’s sacrifice, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.

[@remahunt4277]

Thank you, Dear Father, for this somewhat sobering video. You are altogether right. One thought of losing anything that God has blessed us with is frightening. May God keep you safe in all of your travels and always blessed in all of your endeavors.

[@robynmarler1951]

Amen 🌹x

[@mullmonastery]

Thank you for your prayer, dear one. Summers are more difficult for us, because during the winter we are getting used to being alone, surrounded only by our community. But there are great joys and hidden treasures in meeting our pilgrims face to face, and being able to spend time together in person. May we all be blessed, dear one.

[@mkeenan1955]

Thank you Father for this timely message. You have an uncanny knack of addressing things in my life. Just today at Starbucks there was a guy that was overly friendly in addressing total strangers sitting near me. I thought, where is this going? Was it a pitch for Jesus? I was turned off by it and went into my shell. I was surprised that I didn’t hear any mention of God or Jesus. I thought I was too hasty to judge him. He was just a typical superficial American, but I understand now, because of your insightful comments, the trap of falling into a superficial relationship with Jesus as just a buddy or pal, a joking Jesus.

[@user-yr2jo7xj3j]

God bless yuo Father and your manestary.

[@mullmonastery]

May we all be blessed, dear one.

[@anjuorthodoxsoul]

Father, first off what a wonderful place you are sitting at. It looks incredible and peaceful over there. I love that you mentioned St. Seraphim of Sarov, His words truly move me. Like this quote of his, "The true aim of our Christian life consists in the acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God. As for fasts, and vigils, and prayer, and almsgiving, and every good deed done for Christ's sake, they are only means of acquiring the Holy Spirit of God." Indeed, we should all definitely strive to carry a light heart and be joyful but at the same time have discernment and find the balance between joy and seriousness. As quoted in Scripture (Phillipans 4:7) "Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let your joy overflow! And let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near." Thank you for your beautiful words Father Seraphim! May God bless you and keep you!

[@sosinaayalew6219]

Thank you Father. May God bless you and your monastery abundantly ❤ please keep me in your prayer 🙏

[@paulthompson4332]

This is a beautiful message. I too struggle with having a spiritual relationship with Christ from the heart, and not from the head Praise the Lord Jesus Christ, and thank you Holy Spirit for always drawing me back into grace

[@karenfaye3848]

Thank you for all your teachings! Thank you for guiding our souls closer to God!✝️

[@holyrosarywarrior9939]

This is something I have been wondering in my own spiritual life, and I commend you for articulating this so well! 🙏

[@mullmonastery]

Thank God that you found this useful, dear one. Please remember us in your prayers.

[@novadronetechnologiesinc.3299]

This man must be protected, so intelligent, amen, much respect thank you for the wisdom I love ur channel

[@biljanagajic1408]

OCE BOG VAS BLAGOSLOVIO I SVAKO DOBRO DAO ....MOLIM VAS MOZE LI IKAKO PREVOD NA SRPSKI JEZIK.....TITL NA SRPSKI JEZIK...BICU PUNOO ZAHVALNA

[@glisha8200]

a pa imaš ove naše, Arsenije Jovanović, Otac Rafailo, pa Predrag Popović, Gojko Perović i mnoge jos al oni su super

[@papercut7141]

You have a profound gift in your ability to communicate these things. Thank you, father

[@Liesl_Cigarboxguitar]

God bless you Father Seraphim.

[@Lisa1987lisa]

Father please could you pray for my mums cousin “Martin T. Cioppi”. My mum told me he died yesterday. He was a catholic priest in America. He wasn’t orthodox but he had a lot of faith.

[@paulthompson4332]

My thoughts as well, it sounds like a spiritual attack as well, when you feel distance from the Holy Spirit BUT The fact that this person is seeking advice and is troubled by the "jokiness" and feeling of distance, and is seeking guidance, I truly believe this is the Holy Spirit working within, helping to lead this person into a more intimate relationship with God This are my thoughts Praise the Holy Spirit

[@artdanks4846]

Thank you, Father. I will need to listen to this again, as on one hand it is very helpful to me, and on the other hand, at the same time, I find this talk to be rather difficult for me to understand. Not because of any problem with the message, but because of my own misconceptions throughout my many years. What you explain about emotional responses is definitely something I need to think and pray through. Thank you! Father bless!

[@becomemoreeveryday]

I love you in his HEAVENLY name, peace of the Lord be Unto you. I LOVE YOU IN JESUS NAME. ❤

[@barbarapsomas9147]

Thank you Father for this amazing heart warming message.

[@tallmikbcroft6937]

This helps explain a lot. I have so much to learn. Thank you for your work Father

[@kiriaioulia]

Thank you, Father, for these words of wisdom!

[@mullmonastery]

Glory be to God for all good things, dear one.

[@didihrpro3499]

Amin Amin Amin 🙏🏼☦️🕊️

[@BlackHermit]

Thank you!

[@patriciaschneider-zioga2500]

Thank you, holy Father Seraphim

[@JuliaJayATOP]

Wow very impressive Father…sobering and true …🙏🏼😇

[@narekmelkonyan5017]

Pray for me

[@robynmarler1951]

🙏💖🙏 My Jesus, mercy🕊 Xxxxxx

[@mullmonastery]

May God bless you, dear one.

[@narekmelkonyan5017]

@@mullmonastery Thank you, Father

[@sewingseeds]

God bless you and keep you ❤😊

[@subdeaconk]

Oh, wow. This hits hard. I’ve got to work on this. 😕

[@lilililiana8988]

Doamne ajută!Iubiți frați și surori î mi este foarte dor de voi!Mulțumim pentru cuvânt părinte,acesta m a mângâiat!🙏🏻🤗

[@AdaChang-dp6cl]

Beautiful and so beautiful, your teaching and your being in Christ, dear Fr Seraphim. Thank you so much again for such deep and refreshing words. May God bless you and the Monasteries.

[@mullmonastery]

May God hear you, dear one. We all need each other's prayers and support. Be blessed.

[@Babbajune]

Thank you! ❤

[@nazrietteklesenbet6231]

God bless you father

[@robynmarler1951]

Hello my friends! God bless you 🙏🎆🌄🌱🌿🕊

[@robjodon8535]

Please keep me in your prayers I am also one of the joking ones please pray for me

[@paulcisco1026]

Thank you, Bless your ministry!

[@rainbird2372]

I really needed to hear this thank you 🙏

[@user-ek6zv8qi8y]

I pray to find a spiritual father with your wisdom and discernment. Thank you, thank you for your spirit-filled words. I feel unworthy to call you "brother", as someone like you I could only call father.

[@Leadership4Managers]

foarte interesant comentariul despre "familiarity" deși nu-l pot cuprinde încă, îl las la macerat, mulțumesc!

[@ZachD-severeman]

God Bless You!

[@kathleankeesler1639]

Thank you.

[@GabrielBarry-wq4vc]

I love this. ❤ 😇☦️

[@ritakevorkian2649]

Thank you Father ❤

[@Veveve743]

Father, bless. Thank you. If you have a chance, could you please talk more about guarding ourselves from familiarity with others? I always feel like I need to connect heart to heart with people, not necessarily in joking and making fun, but in deep conversations and understanding. And I feel the need to do this with almost everyone I am with, even if I don't know them that well. Is this wrong? It somehow takes away my peace and feel like there is something wrong with it. Thank you.

[@jorinter]

Thank you father for this video, i'm from Venezuela, could you please tell me where can I learn how to pray the Mariam rule of the Theotokos taught by saint seraphim of Sarov. Do you have any video or link about it?🙏

[@positivevibeskx1102]

Dear Father Serafim,let God gives you Grace so that you always do these videos and answer our questions! My friend is still looking for answers in life and I wish he knew the Orthodoxy from the depths of it's wisdom...,I told him to read about Father Serafim Rose as me myself am not so good in talking ,esp. knowing the person is more from the western spiritual world .I want to recommend him to read "добротолюбие",but don't know how to translate in English....Also can you recommend Father some books in English,which are more philosophical as my friend is Psychologist...Thank you !

[@PhoebeK]

Some Books your friend might find interesting are the writings of Metropolitan Hierothos of Nafpaktos who has written on Orhtodox Phycotheripy in the light of the fathers especially those of the Philokonea, there is also a book by Fr Alexis Trader on Ancient Christian Wisdom and Aaron Beck's Cognitive Therapy. These books would build on the training your friend already has. Another text which explains Orthodox Anthropology well is, St Basil the Great on the Human Condition. Otherwise, any of the writings of the three holy hierarchs would be good as they were all trained in the philosophy of their era, the Writings of St Gregory Palmas or St Simion the New Theologian are also very philosophical but also incredibly deep theologically. The Orthodox Church by Timothy Ware (Metropolitan Kilostos Ware of blessed memory) is also a very good book for those with no knowledge of Orthodoxy.

[@tunderbird7]

☦️

[@QigongQi]

A saved born-again believe can lose the Holy Ruach Spirit? How can I "acquire and lose the Holy Spirit."?

[@CrossM7]

Where can we sign up for the pilgrimage to the Monestary ?

[@thanasistama3943]

Is it an abandonment of the Holy Spirit or the Spirit convicting you of what ever was unGodly in that particular humor (jokiness) the person used? Fools of God in the monastic world as you so know can quickly be serious when needed to teach and guide us! Mainly they use humor to teach when explaining something which would not be received otherwise.

[@dukaslatvuh3205]

good intro :0

[@mullmonastery]

Sometimes (not very often) we see the sun 😊 and we want to share it with you all

[@josephwatkins9892]

Hello father. I have a question. Is it a sin to be disappointed in humanity?

[@johnralliscpa]

Hi Fr. Is it ironic that at about the 11:37 mark, someone was climbing the hill behind you and fell down? 😂 (I hope they're OK!)

[@mullmonastery]

I had not seen them until you left this message, dear one. Yes, that is quite ironic, isn't it? Talk about jokiness distracting you from the presence of God, and there it is! 😊

[@viravirakti]

I've noticed that too. He or she didn't actually fell, but repeatedly and intentionally jump down, from early on, which is even more significant, pointing to our free will and choise to go up or down, to rise or to fall.

[@viravirakti]

7:10

[@JuliaJayATOP]

It was actually hilarious on replay at that second 😅

[@josiahhall987]

The holy spirit is and always has been within you. Life is funny that way

[@AGUACITO]

JESUS CHRIST IS THE LORD AND SAVIOR. No time for ridiculous jokes when communicating with THE LORD.

[@godsmessageoftoday]

dear Father Seraphim, I have a problem with one question, right now I'm in a state where I feel like if I don't go through the house and kiss all the icons or rosaries every time, but literally every time I'm near them, I feel like I'm losing my strength and I'm going away from God and that's a lot, always but literally always and to spend 20 minutes only in my room and then 20 in the other (and I live in a house on the 4th floor). is it necessary to kiss spiritual things every time? Plus I broke my pinky finger because I got so angry for having to go through all that kissing. (PLEASE HELP)😢❤ (Edit) and to mention that am always frustrated and angry through the day because of having to go through that and i think its an confusion of the enemy just to make me harm myself and be angry. I pray that you read my message...

[@mement0_m0ri]

I'm not sure I understand this message.

[@mmaakkiinn]

Someone on a hill behind you keeps jumping of the hill ...distracted me a bit..Jeremiah 17 καὶ εὐλογημένος ὁ ἄνθρωπος, ὃς πέποιθεν ἐπὶ τῷ Κυρίῳ καὶ ἔσται Κύριος ἐλπὶς αὐτοῦ·8 καὶ ἔσται ὡς ξύλον εὐθηνοῦν παρ' ὕδατα, καὶ ἐπὶ ἰκμάδα βαλεῖ ρίζαν αὐτοῦ καὶ οὐ φοβηθήσεται ὅταν ἔλθῃ καῦμα, καὶ ἔσται ἐπ' αὐτῷ στελέχη ἀλσώδη, ἐν ἐνιαυτῷ ἀβροχίας οὐ φοβηθήσεται καὶ οὐ διαλείψει ποιῶν καρπόν.7 And blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and the Lord is his hope.8 He will be like a tree, which thrives, grows and bears fruit near the waters, because it casts its roots in wet ground and has nothing to fear when fires come. Its branches will be thick, and even in a period of drought it will fear nothing and will never cease to bear fruit

[@jaredetherton1512]

I saw that as well.

[@HRW957]

Ironic that a video about joy and a person in the background, right in the centre of frame, starts jumping off a cliff like a child!

[@drazentupanjanin794]

Father, who is the figure in distance that jumps from a cliff few times starting from 11'. It looks like a joke.

[@robynmarler1951]

I hadn't noticed him until I read your comment. Very strange coincidence with the subject matter. It's probably one of the pilgrims.

[@TinaHyde]

Wow, I didn’t notice that either. Mull is a popular vacation spot this time of year. There are several cottages for rent all along the coastline. It’s probably some little kid vacationing nearby.

[@katia_x_katia]

​@@TinaHyde this is on Iona and yes is very busy with tourists right now:)

[@briangilley5093]

I need to know my dear, do you believe that Jesus is God? Or do you believe he was just a profit? Is Jesus one with God?