But now, sayest thou, how can this be true? For I have forsaken the world, and am shut up in a monastery; I meddle with no man, I chide not, I strive not, I neither buy nor sell, I have no worldly business, but by the mercy of God keep myself chaste, and withhold me from delights. And, besides this, I pray, I watch, I labour bodily and ghostly, as well as I can; how should this image then be so much in me as thou speakest of? (John Climacus)

I have not forsaken the world. I meddle with many men and women.

I do not chide much, but I strive a great deal.

I buy, sell, and am very busy with non-spiritual tasks and goals.

I am not chaste, in attitude or living. I withhold myself from some things, but not many.

I pray. I watch. I could be more disciplined in both body and spirit, but I am not entirely undisciplined.

So, perhaps, this dark image - this void, this naught - is also within me?

The image is the Temptation of St. Anthony by Salvidor Dali.