In 1990, during my extended stay at the Holy Monastery of the Precursor (Essex, England), I had the privilege of attending the teachings that Elder Sophronios had been giving to the brotherhood every week for several years. I was also able to listen to approximately 40 previous lectures that had been recorded, transcribed, and translated by the brothers of the Monastery. With my heart filled with the energy of these words of the Spirit and life (John 6:63), I collected and copied excerpts that seemed essential to me. This work was done in a way that resembles the method followed by the authors of the Philokalia. By presenting the excerpts in order - like beads threaded on a string, with a "thematic" order covering various aspects of spiritual life - a collection was created at the end with continuity and coherence. At that time, the idea came to me that others could also benefit from this work that I initially did for the benefit of my soul. I spoke with Elder Sophronios and expressed to him the desire to make others partakers of the spiritual nourishment that was given to me. When Elder Sophronios read the excerpts of his words and recognized himself in them, he gave me his blessing and encouraged me to proceed with the publication.