The Seven Capital Sins and the Seven Contrary Virtues

By Bryan Crucis Shen

This book describes the seven capital sins (or deadly sins) as entities with hidden ill intent against us while they temp us in the depths of our hearts. And these are contrasted with the seven contrary virtues (or heavenly virtues) that helps us if we listen and discern carefully. The style of writing is inspired by St. John Climacus and St. John of the Cross.
This book will be an aid for those practicing, or wanting to practice, the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius' "Discernment of the Spirits". It is also suitable for teenagers wanting to live a more virtuous life.
Written by a professional counselor (registered with the SAC) who has worked with seminarians and young-adults in Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines, and has also attended courses (in Rome and Chicago) on evil spirits and angels.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryan Crucis Shen
• Release date: Jan 23, 2015
• ISBN: 9789810912321

Book preview

The Seven Capital Sins

and the

Seven Contrary Virtues.

Copyright Page

1st Edition: 2012

2nd Edition: 2014

E-ISBN: 978-981-09-1232-1

Digital Published by Faris Digital Solutions Pte Ltd

10 Admiralty Street North Link Building #02-31

Singapore 757695

Website:www.adalsebook.com | Email:[e-mail] | Tel:[phone]

Cover page graphic:

Electronic glass-painting of the same title:

The seven capital sins and the seven contrary virtues.

by Bryan C Shen

At the bottom half of the picture, the seven nodes of fire depicts the seven capital sins. They interact chaotically in a ball of fire which depicts hell. Their general movement is downwards. The lowest node is pride. At the top part of the picture depicts the seven contrary virtues radiating from their center which is Christ. There is a sense of order, connectedness in goodness and rootedness while interacting with the world. The central figure depicts Jesus the Christ, who's wounds of suffering and raising from death is the way through which our deadly sins can be transformed into life-giving virtues.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1 - Lust vs Purity

Chapter 2 - Gluttony vs Temperance

Chapter 3 - Greed vs Charity

Chapter 4 - Sloth vs Diligence

Chapter 5 - Envy vs Contentment

Chapter 6 - Anger vs Patience

Chapter 7 - Pride vs Humility

Chapter 8 - Some important concluding points

Appendix A - What is Vain-glory

Foreword

In the course of my work as a missionary-counsellor, I see many clients, who can't afford professional counselling, are also in great need of spiritual guidance. There is a strong co-relation between psycho-emotional health and spiritual health. Too often, their reactions and acts of desperation causes them to be cast aside as problematic personalities to be avoided by the very people who should have tended to their needs. This of course does not help, but it also often does not reduce their desire to know what right to do. There are struggling individuals and families who are highly, sometimes desperately, interested to improve their lives with a spiritual understanding. In this context, the present day ignorance of the seven capital sins nor the seven virtues is a spiritual pandemic. When I introduce this topic to my clients, some of whom are very young, I could not