Eastern Spiritual Text

> First the soul has to surmount afflictions embraced willingly. Thereby 
learning to spurn sensual pleasure and self glory. And this in turn will permit 
readily to bear the afflictions that come unsought.. It for the sake of poverty 
of spirit you spurn each pleasure and self glory and also regard yourself as 
deserving the more drastic remedy of repentance, you will be ready to bear any 
affliction and will accept any temptation as your due, and you will rejoice when 
it comes, for you will see it as a cleaning agent for your soul.