Confession and Self-Examination: Dorotheus of Gaza on Self-Awareness

Dorotheus of Gaza (d. c. 620) taught that self-examination begins with attention to our responses throughout the day. He wrote: "Before going to sleep, examine how you have spent the day. And in the morning, how you spent the night. Repent before God for any failings." But Dorotheus went further than mere evening review.

He taught a practice of continuous self-observation: "Pay attention to yourself. Watch your thoughts, your words, your actions throughout the day. Not with anxiety, but with gentle vigilance." Dorotheus compared this to a person learning to walk a narrow path -- they must watch each step without becoming paralyzed by fear.

Practical application: Three times today -- mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and evening -- pause for two minutes to observe your inner state. What are you feeling? What thoughts are running? How have you treated the people around you? Dorotheus teaches that frequent brief check-ins are more effective than a single long examination, because they catch patterns while they are still forming.