The book includes seven parts […] In all parts of the book, there is repeated mention of humility and the awareness of our sinfulness, as well as noble behavior and participation in the suffering of others. These were fundamental principles of the spiritual life for the Elder and essential prerequisites for heartfelt prayer. "Cultivate heartfelt prayer as much as you can, with love and humility," he writes in a letter. Many times, the Elder also mentions examples from his personal struggle or reveals divine states that he himself had experienced. This was also a "spiritual almsgiving" that he did out of great love, to help us.