But acquiring all of this sometimes takes years. At first this prayer is only active prayer, just like any other activity. Then it becomes mental prayer, and finally it takes root in the heart. Some have gone astray from the right path through this prayer. Therefore it should be learned from someone who knows it.
Deception comes mostly from placing the attention on the head rather than the chest.
Whoever has the attention centered in the heart is safe. Even safer is the one who falls down before God every hour in contrition, with the prayer that he be delivered from deception. The Holy Fathers gave detailed instructions on this activity. Therefore, whoever takes up this work should read these instructions and throw out all else. St. Symeon the New Theologian, St. Nilus of Sora, Hieromonk Dorotheus, in the prologue to Elder Barsanuphius, and in the life of St. Paisius.