An Outline of "The Ladder of Divine Ascent"

THE LADDER OF DIVINE ASCENT

By St. John Climacus

A. THE BREAK WITH THE "WORLD"

1. Renunciation
2. Detachment
3. Exile

B.THE PRACTICE OF THE VIRTUES ("ACTIVE LIFE" - PRAXIS)

Fundamental Virtues

4. Obedience
5. Penitence
6. Remembrance of Death
7. Joyful Sorrow

Struggle Against the Passions

(a) Passions that are Predominantly Non-Physical

8. Anger
9. Malice
10. Talkativeness
11. Falsehood
12. Despondency

(b) Physical and Material Passions

14. Gluttony
15. Lust
16.-17. Avarice

(c) Non-Physical Passions (continued)

18.-20. Insensitivity
21. Fear
22. Vainglory
23. Pride (also Blasphemy)

Higher Virtues of the "Active Life"

24. Simplicity
25. Humility
26. Discernment

C. UNION WITH GOD ("CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE" - THEORIA)

27. Stillness
28. Prayer
29. Dispassion
30. Love

From Ascent To Heaven by John Chryssavgis (Holy Cross Orthodox Press 1989) pp. 14-15.