Entries in Life

Okay, so I lied… I have something more to say.

I think there is a natural psychological aspect to be considered with regards to converts. Often by converting to Orthodoxy we have totally had to uproot our perspectives, our social/spiritual identity—we are often seen as in some way betraying our upbringing or more plainly are simply seen as leaving our friends and family behind. It's a damned painful process for many of us, one which so long as the feelings are sharp we feel a need to defend to such a degree as is required to cushion the emotional and psychological blow.

Several years after conversion one wonders at times—at least this one does—how much of one's conversion is running toward something, and how much of it is running from something. This is a question that is impossible to answer, but is, I think, important to at least voice and consider briefly. Usually, I think one will find that both motivations were present, but that the important thing was the act itself, and to move on from past motivations to present ones—the pursuit of Christ and theosis. In the end, this is all that matters and everything else is an aspect of this one solid goal.