“Asceticism is something to be practiced. Prayer is very important even if you say it mechanically because the understanding comes later. The Holy Spirit works later in you after you are well established in your ascetic endeavors.”
(Archimandrite Chezarie Paunescu, 20th Century Romanian seminary director) [Jesus Prayer; Obedience]

http://historicalhamilton.com/media/images/2709.jpg