Pros And Cons Of Desert Saints

Conversely, the desert saints also understood the limitations of the ascetic practices, recognizing the temptation to practice to excess, which prompted the Abbas and Ammas to speak against extreme ascetic practices:

Nonetheless, the desert saints understood the value of maintaining balance and consistency with ascetic practice. They recognized that the practice did not save or deliver, but fortified the body, mind, and spirit in every aspect of their lives. The desert saints incorporated a variety of ascetic practices into their daily lives, however, several practices are more frequently suggested by the abbas and ammas when administering advice to other monks: silence, solitude in the cell, and fasting.