The John Climacus, the Ladder of Divine Ascent Book

This book (the third English translation) offers an image of ladder as a way of ascetical life. It's true that it's aimed at monks, people that join a monastery like one on Mount Athos, but quite a few points work well even for us who are not these people. I'm not sure if I've read this before, but reading it was worth it. The number of ladders gives a nod to the number of years Jesus was when he began his preaching (30).

The introduction talks about the author and his background, about the ladder itself and it's text-structure, explores some themes, and lists some sources and influences on future audiences. It's good to read this first, because it clears the plot well. This book is an Orthodox classic, often read at Lent in monasteries. The author lived in a monastery in Sinai, around 7th century, with at least one long visit to a monastery in Alexandria (the description of the 'Prison' for unruly monks in this place is a bit shocking, but don't let it put you off).

It's a case of body vs. mind, and the purpose is to help a person to see both perils and good ways on the road to perfection. Some later steps are of persons who have advanced quite far on their monk's life, but it's not talked in a way that those who are not yet there would lose their courage and think they would never achieve it - it takes time and work, but doesn't feel impossible.

The author shows us the three ways within: at the monastery, in a smaller group with a leader, and the solitary life. The solitary life is not for the beginner, for it is mentally hard and demanding, and easy to do wrong if done too early or for wrong reasons. It's better to live a group or monastery life for years first.

The text is not without some humor; in the 'Stillness' chapter, for example:
"The cat keeps hold of the mouse. The thought of the hesychast keeps hold of his spiritual mouse. Do not mock this analogy. Indeed, if you do, it shows you still do not understand the meaning of stillness."

And you do have to realise that although these steps go from 1 to 30, one may end up using some steps again, especially when not yet advanced in experience and years.

This is a book not for fast reading, read and then forgotten. It is for pondering, to find inspiration and motivation. It holds more than might first appear. So for monks and non-monks this is a treasure - easy to see why the reading-aloud tradition uses this book. This is a book of quiet greatness.