Chapter 2
The beginner develops a secret pride b/c their prayer life is fruitful.
They see the speck in their neighbor’s eye but not the log in their own
They don’t take suggestions or advice well and instead are eager for others to take notice of them
They confess their sins in the most favorable light so as to appear better than they actually are, thus they do not receive the full benefit of confession which is to see one’s own faults clearly
When they are not minimizing their faults they are becoming overly grieved by them
They want God to remove their faults so that they can have personal peace rather than so that their will and God’s be aligned.
They dislike praising anyone else
Souls who have advanced out of the beginner stage are different; they receive great benefit from their humility. The possess holy envy which means they genuinely and sincerely believe that others are better than they are and want to emulate their good deeds.
These souls want to be taught and are always looking for a teacher
They rejoice when others receive praise
