Discerning asceticism, together with humility and love sanctify people very
quickly, with less physical strain.

The more one progresses in the spiritual life attending to himself, the wider
the eyes of the soul open and the more clearly he discerns his mistakes and the
many benefactions of God. Thus man is humbled and inwardly crushed, and then the
Grace of God - divine enlightenment - comes naturally and he becomes more
discerning.

God does not help the greatly sensitive and philotimo* man to become conscious
either of his sinfulness or of the many benefactions of God, so as not to
despair. The more he progresses, however, and gradually becomes stronger, the
more God reveals to him. The same applies to the man with pride: God does not
help him cut off his passions, so as not to become even prouder. When finally he
is disgusted with himself because of his constant falls, he becomes aware of his
weakness and is humbled; then God's Grace draws near him and helps him climb the
spiritual stairs two at a time.
...
Certainly, we all have some discernment, but unfortunately most of us do not use
it on ourselves but on our fellowmen (so as not to be...distinguished) and we
contaminate it with criticism, condemnation, and the demand for others to
correct themselves. We should, rather, demand this only from ourselves who do
not resolve to struggle fervently, cut off our passions, liberate our soul, and
fly into Heaven.

Those who do not resolve to begin their struggle with philotimo, but spend their
life in the "indefinite tense" will be constantly dazed and found to be both
spiritually and physically ill. Finally, the gifts that God has given them and
for which He will require an answer will be rendered useless.
...
Self-accusation and self-criticism greatly help the scales fall from our soul's
eyes, so that we might see clearly.

Sensitive people must be very careful of self-accusation, because the devil
tries to convert it into despair (through hypersensitivity). Self-accusation
must always be accompanied by hope in God. When someone feels anxiety in this
case, he must realize that the evil one has his tail in it.

When a person feels great pain for his sinfulness or his ungratefulness towards
God, but hopes very much in God, he is greatly consoled by Him."

- Elder Paisios of Mount Athos, "Epistles"

* philotimo: the reverent distillation of goodness, the love shown by humble
people, from which every trace of self has been filtered out. Their hearts are
full of gratitude towards God and to their fellow men, and out of spiritual
sensitivity, they try to repay the slightest good which others do them.