Abbot Lot came to Abbot Joseph and said:
Father, according as I am able, I keep my little rule, and my little fast, my prayer, meditation and contemplative silence; and according as I am able I strive to cleanse my heart of thoughts: now what more should i do?
The elder rose up in reply and stretched out his hands to heaven, and his fingers became like ten lamps of fire. He said:
Why not be totally changed into fire?
from The Wisdom of the Desert
translated by Thomas Merton
