“I was traveling in the Holy Land and the man who was driving me around asked me which road we should take. I said to him, “Are we taking a world world tour or something? Whichever is shorter.” As we drove along he said to me, “You see Elder – that’s why didn’t want to come this way because it took us by the nude beach.” To tell the truth I didn’t see anything. I just saw something like shadows moving…External stillness along with asceticism and unceasing prayer brings inner stillness to the soul and very quickly. After that external turmoil doesn’t bother you.”
Elder Paisios
~Elder Paisios of Mt. Athos