“The body burdens the soul from the outside; cares and scattered thoughts wear it down from within…Cares do not leave any time to work on oneself. When they are present, you have one matter on your hands and ten more in your head. That is why they push a person always further onward, not giving him the opportunity to look back and see himself. Therefore, you must put aside cares for a time, all without exception. You will take up your usual affairs later on, but for now let them cease, fling them from your hands and throw them out of your thoughts.”

(St Theophan the Recluse, ‘Path of Salvation)