A Call to Embrace the Challenge of Lent

Herein are the Three Levels of Lent - opt in and embrace this transforming time of year

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Hello friends,

Lent begins on the 18th of February, and whether nominally Christian or not, it provides a time for major spiritual challenge and transformation.

The 40 Days of Lent—which charts Christ’s journey into the wilderness, his meeting with the devil, and his eventual resurrection—corresponds beautifully with the last few cold weeks of Winter.

Lent ends with spiritual rejuvenation and the rebirth of nature in the Spring season, making it a fantastic way to deepen your spiritual journey, embrace inner purification and rhyme with the rhythmic language of the cosmos.

***Do remember, the Lent community is only open to paid subscribers, it’s £5 per month to join, and you can leave at any time

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The Three Levels of Lent

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I’ve set up Three Levels for this year’s journey. Feel free to align with whichever feels right to you, or whichever you feel that you’re spiritually prepared for.

As ever, the more you put in, the more we get out, but let’s remember, this time of year is about purification, not perfection.

Level 1 — Entry / First-Timers

Purpose: Participation, learning, mastering the basics

Level 1 Rules:

• Give up one comfort for the 40 Days of Lent (sugar, snacks, social media, alcohol, dating, p*rn, complaining, etc)

• Short daily prayer (5 mins)

• Weekly reading/reflection (I’ll provide this on the Substack, just check in, read, contemplate, share thoughts)

• No guilt, no tracking, just show up

Purpose → Low barrier to entry, builds positive spiritual habits, gets you in the door of the spiritual life

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Level 2 — The Disciplined Warrior

Purpose: Order, restraint, self-mastery, serving a higher Will

Level 2 Rules:

• Give up 2–3 comforts (ideally alcohol, Communion excepted)

• No meat Fridays

• One fasted meal per week (ideally, miss a meal on Friday)

• Daily prayer (10–15 mins: daily prayer will be provided here if needed)

• Weekly routine (sleep hours, food awareness, prayer, work time)

• Light accountability (check-in thread)

Purpose → Learn about intermediate-level spiritual rhythm, relinquish self-will to understand higher calling, purify body, mind and spirit

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Level 3 — Serious Seeker / Monk Mode

Purpose: Deep purification, major orientation toward the Spirit, significant spiritual challenge

Level 3 Rules:

• No sex / PMO / porn

• No alcohol or intoxicants (Communion excepted)

• Daily prayer rule (morning, noon, evening)

• Fasting rhythm:

  • Wed & Fri: veg only / no meat

  • Sunday: Full fast (or one main meal if inexperienced with fasting)

• No social media bar essentials (work, emergencies, spiritual guidance, etc)

• Daily Substack check-in

• Weekly Church/Traditional service

• Withdrawal window (weekend in nature/silence if possible)

Purpose → Major inner transformation, freeing the soul from worldly ties, deep realisation

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Level 4 — Orthodox Reference (Optional/Informational)

Purpose: This is to show the Orthodox demand for reference, or for any brave souls who are already experienced and spiritually committed—this is not an expectation, just a reference point

Level 4 Rules:

• All above in Level 3, and:

• No meat, dairy, eggs for all of Lent

• Fish only on Annunciation & Palm Sunday

• Wed & Fri: no oil

• Daily prayer rule (Pray without ceasing)

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Key Framing (IMPORTANT)

• Lent is NOT a tough-guy competition

• No public virtue-signalling (any gloating risks ejection from the group)

• Choose the highest level you can sustain, not fantasise about

• You can drop down a level if needed: staying in > quitting

• This is about a shared spiritual journey of brothers: Purification > Perfection

• Seek to help your fellow adventurers on this journey, and be of service in your local community during this time (do so humbly and quietly by providing food for the poor, acts of charity, clearing rubbish in parks, supporting loved ones, aiming to be compassionate over judgmental, aligning with ‘The Narrow Way’)

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Vital Structure (Don’t Skip)

• There’ll be one shared weekly rhythm across all levels. Attend as much as possible, and all will be provided by me (Richard):

  • Daily Reading/Contemplation

  • Monday Prayer Space: Enter Deep Contemplation

  • Wednesday Live Call: Scripture, Study & Sharing

  • Friday Fire: Guidance on Wrestling with Inner Demons

  • Sunday Reflection: A Sermon-like Contemplation

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Embracing Lent

This community intends to provide modern men with the traditional spiritual structures that can reawaken their souls and orient them within the wisdom of our Tradition.

This group isn’t designed to conflict with your present spiritual or religious practices, or lack thereof, but to accentuate and deepen your experience.

If you’re ready to take part, simply sign up below, and I look forward to seeing you on the other side:

Richard