In order to attach himself to spiritual goods, man must first of all have become aware that there exists “another beauty, other riches, other pleasures that are superior,” “true riches that procure immortal delights”, and that there is no wealth superior or worthy of preference to God’s Kingdom and glory. But this awareness, as St John Climacus points out, is only possible through the experience of spiritual realities. Man can attain to this experience only when he stops living an utterly carnal life and unites himself to God through love and the practice of the commandments. Only “the taste of God,” as St John Climacus states in very concrete terms, allows man to ascertain (in comparison to divine goods) the scant value of sensual “goods.”
~Dr Jean-Claude Larchet (Therapy of Spiritual Illnesses vol.3, p.37)
Prayerful Life 