Skopos And Telos In John Cassian's Conference

In John Cassian’s Conference I, he introduces and reflects on the ideas of skopos and telos. These are ways to reach full communion with God. One is the ultimate goal, and the former is the proximate goal. More specifically, telos is the Kingdom of God or heaven. One can recall it by many different terms such as, finis, vision of God, or the Beatific Vision. The skopos is more of the way or means by which one reaches the ultimate goal. It requires ascetical discipline and calls one to a deep inner serenity. One can think of Cassian’s idea of puritas cordis when thinking about skopos, because it is through contemplating and purifying one’s heart that they come to their telos. The Rule of Benedict causes monks to think about telos and skopos, in the realm of monastic life, as well as, life in general. For Benedict and his rule, implicitly telos is seen as communion with God.
“The first step of humility is unhesitating obedience, which comes naturally to those who cherish Christ above” (RB 5.1). The Rule goes through thirteen steps of humility, which are important to keep in mind. It is through these steps one can see the proximate goal being played out and aligning a monk to his telos. It is in chapter 7 that one comes to learn the steps which are: (1) a monk is forbidden to do his own will, (2) imitate in his actions, the Lord, (3) submits to his superior, (4) embrace suffering without escaping, (5) confess all sins to abbot, (6) “a monk is content with the lowest and most menial treatment, and regards himself as a poor and worthless workman in whatever task he is given,” (7) in his heart acknowledge he is inferior to all, (8) only does what is endorsed by common rule, (9) controls tongue and remains silent, (10) does not laugh, (11) speaks gently without laughter in a serious tone, (12) always manifest humility, and (13) “arrive at that perfect love of God which casts out