“Through sin man himself turns the earthly paradise into an earthly hell. If his soul is polluted with mortal sins he lives in a demonic state: he is fiercely defensive, is tormented, finds no peace. On the contrary who ever is close to God, whoever keeps his mind on higher things, on things above and always maintains good and positive thoughts in his mind will remain peaceful and live in paradise while on earth.”
Elder Paisios
~Spiritual Struggle