ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

The Ascetical Homilies of Isaac the Syrian

Okay, kiddo, let’s talk about the ascetical homilies of Isaac the Syrian.

So, imagine you love playing video games, but your parents tell you that you can only play for one hour a day. You might feel upset or frustrated, right?

Well, Isaac the Syrian was a really wise man who talked about ways we can control our feelings and desires. He believed that we should have self-discipline, which means making choices that are good for us even if they're not always what we want to do.

In his ascetical homilies, Isaac shared a lot of ideas on how to be self-disciplined. For example, he talked about fasting, which is when you don't eat certain foods for a period of time. This helps you learn to control your desire for instant gratification, like when you really want a snack but you know it's not healthy for you to eat too much junk food.

Isaac also talked about prayer, which is when we talk to God. He believed that by praying, we can connect with God and find inner peace. This can help us feel less anxious or stressed about things that are happening in our lives.

But, Isaac didn't just talk about controlling our desires. He also believed in being kind to others. He said that we should always try to love and help other people, even if it's hard sometimes. This can help us be happier and feel more fulfilled in our lives.

Overall, Isaac's ascetical homilies are kind of like a guidebook for how to live a good and fulfilling life. They're full of wisdom and advice on how to be self-disciplined, find inner peace, and be kind to others.