Saint Maximus' four degrees of dispassion

"St. Maximus sets out four degrees of dispassion.

The first type of dispassion is observed in beginners and is “complete abstention from the actual committing of sin.” In this stage the man does not commit the acts outwardly.

The second dispassion, which occurs in the virtuous, is the complete rejection in the mind of all assent to evil thoughts.

The third dispassion, which is complete quiescence of passionate desire, is found in the deified, and


...the fourth is the complete purging even of passion-free images, in those who are perfect. It seems from this passage that according to the degree of a man's purity, the corresponding dispassion is manifested." (1994, pp. 299-300)


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