Despite the fact that much of the data that occurs within the human psyche lies outside, the sensory world, (or one could say 'inside,')  it is possible, even today, to use these methods of the fathers in order to ensure accurate introspective observation, just as the fathers did so long ago. This is not achieved by aping Newtonian rules created for the sensory world, but because in fact an equal clarity and certainty was one of the normal results of the methods of developing inner discipline then employed by a large number of intelligent and devout Christians. The effectiveness of these means of maintaining the accuracy of individual observation, was repeatedly confirmed by therapeutic effects that are observable in the long term. Unfortunately, not only were these methods forgotten long ago, but the clarity and wonder of the inner world they presented has also been forgotten, and when that is forgotten there is no longer any motive for pursuing these difficult disciplines.

One key element in these disciplines depended particularly on the form of emotional transformation described in our times as magnetisation to God, and in fact, in general the same results can be achieved today after certain preliminary objectives have been achieved. Otherwise the traditional methods of Orthodox psychotherapy are effective only for those brought up as Orthodox and already living a pious Orthodox life.

Before they are of any use in a Westernised community, these methods need to be adapted to the different conditions and the unique personality types of Western people. Amongst other things, without preliminary preparation, the ordinary Westerner - as well as many Easterners who have been exposed to Westernised education - will be unable to develop the persistence of in prayer necessary to transform their psyche in the way demonstrated in the early church.

This adaptation is one of the concerns of Praxis Institute. We already know, for example, that for the lay person with a Western education and with adult responsibilities in the world, the preparation necessary must include a large element of new knowledge. This special knowledge is necessary for several reasons: Western seekers need to understand things which are new to them but are common knowledge in Eastern cultures including the Orthodox Christian culture. They need to have a good grasp of the reality underlying Christian spiritual methods before they can hope to use these methods effectively. They need to know enough about themselves and about the methods in question to use them - in many cases - when working without regular guidance or supervision.

Particularly, they need to know these things emotionally. They must be 'felt, as well as thought.'