Mortification of the appetite, nightlong toil, a ration of water, a short measure of bread, the bitter cup of dishonor -- these will show you the narrow way. Derided, mocked, jeered, you must accept the denial of you will. You must patiently endure opposition, suffer neglect without complaint, put up with violent arrogance. You must be ready for injustice, and not grieve when you are slandered; you must not be angered by contempt and you must show humility when you have been condemned. Happy are those who follow this road and avoid other highways. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (John Climacus)

The second step on John's ladder of divine ascent is detachment. In separation from family, from earthly ambition, from sensuality, from any expression of independent will we will draw closer to God.

Most -- perhaps all -- of the early fathers perceive see our neighbors as temptations to neglect God. This is certainly true. But I am not convinced separation is the answer.

The willfulness that so troubles the fathers is expressed in pride, greed, gluttony, sloth, wrath, envy, and lust. These also separate.

In pride we claim to be better than others. The glutton separates mind from body. With envy we worry that others are more fortunate than ourselves. Lust seeks to use the other rather than be in full relationship with the other.

Rather than detachment, there is need for strengthening the bounds of love that link self, neighbor, and God.