You must know that peace and tranquility and fulfillment are either the crown of perfection or a state of extreme fall, in which all spiritual striving and needs are extinguished. As the first state is the fullness of life, so the last state is spiritual death. The state of those who are progressing towards perfection, however, is a state of struggle–intense, laborious and full of tribulation. This state of progressing–is the narrow path.
From these signs, judge for yourselves where you are. Of course, one would wish that all would be on the side of good, but not all have the wisdom. May the Lord make you wise unto salvation. Amen!
~St Theophan the Recluse
Prayerful Life 