She had lost herself in this old work, her personality dissolving into it, so that she had been set free. The immortality of the soul lies in its dissolution; this was the cryptic comment that so frustrated Olivier and which Julien had only ever grasped as evidence for the history of a particular school of thought. He had known all about its history, but Julia knew what it meant. He found the realization strangely reassuring.

~ Iain Pears

Iain Pears Dissolution Freedom Immortality Liberation Meaning Philosophy Self Abandonment Soul Thought

[A]s though mindful of the wife of Lot, who looked back from behind him, thou deliveredst me first to the sacred garments and monastic profession before thou gavest thyself to God. And for that in this one thing thou shouldst have had little trust in me I vehemently grieved and was ashamed. For I (God [knows]) would without hesitation precede or follow thee to the Vulcanian fires according to thy word. For not with me was my heart, but with thee. But now, more than ever, if it be not with thee, it is nowhere. For without thee it cannot anywhere exist.

~ Héloïse D'argenteuil

Héloïse D'argenteuil Abandonment Celibacy Convent Dignity Following Grief Integrity Loneliness Love Men Monastic Life Sacrifice Self Abandonment Self Abnegation Shame Subjection Trust Women

We’ll never abandon ourselves to the Spirit as long as we think we can change without Him.

~ Larry Crabb

Larry Crabb Change Self Abandonment