Syncletica was a spiritual woman who lived in the desert of Egypt several hundred years after Jesus.
Just as the most bitter medicine drives out poisonous creatures, so prayer joined to fasting drives evil thoughts away.
There are many who live in the mountains and behave as if they are in the town, and they are wasting their time. It is possible to be a solitary in one's mind while living in a crowd, and it is possible for one who is a solitary to live in the crowd of his own thoughts.
In the beginning, there are a great many battles and good deal of suffering for those who are advancing towards God, and afterwards, indescribable joy. It is like those who wish to light a fire. At first, they are choked by the smoke and cry, and by this means obtain what they seek(as it is said, "Our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:24); so we also must kindle the divine fire in ourselves through tears and hard work.
