“… To start mastering noetic prayer you must constantly force yourself to save the prayer without ceasing. In the beginning quickly: nous must not have time for any distracting thoughts. Pay attention only to the words “Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me.” When the prayer is said orally for a long period of time nous becomes accustomed to it and eventually takes up saying it. Then it becomes sweet to you as if you had honey in your mouth and you want to keep saying it all the time.”
(Elder Joseph the Hesychast in ‘Monastic Wisdom’)
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