Hesychasm?

MrJim · Oct 25, 2005

I came across this term. It defined it as:

"The faithful also practice a mystical spiritual discipline known as hesychasm, in which tranquility and spiritual light are sought by quietism and strict control of the body, measuring the phrasing of one's silent praying by the rythm of one's breathing, in order to unite soul and body in prayer."

Guess I've not heard anyone talk about this before. When is it taught?

Akathist · Oct 25, 2005

menno said:
I came across this term. It defined it as:

"The faithful also practice a mystical spiritual discipline known as hesychasm, in which tranquility and spiritual light are sought by quietism and strict control of the body, measuring the phrasing of one's silent praying by the rythm of one's breathing, in order to unite soul and body in prayer."

Guess I've not heard anyone talk about this before. When is it taught?

This is only taught to people who have reached a rather high degree of spiritual advancement, typically a monk or a nun after years of spiritual direction and growth within monestaticism.

There are dangers involve in someone who has not reached the level of spiritual growth adequate for this endeaver, therefore it should only be explored and studied with the permission of one's Spiritual Director.

In Orthodoxy, most people's spiritual director is their Priest (although it is possible to have a monk or a nun as a spiritual director too.)

icxn · Oct 25, 2005

menno said:
I came across this term. It defined it as:

"The faithful also practice a mystical spiritual discipline known as hesychasm, in which tranquility and spiritual light are sought by quietism and strict control of the body, measuring the phrasing of one's silent praying by the rythm of one's breathing, in order to unite soul and body in prayer."

Guess I've not heard anyone talk about this before. When is it taught?

You have not learn the alphabet yet and you want to learn about philosophy.. leave that for later.

Akathist · Oct 25, 2005

icxn said:
You have not learn the alphabet yet and you want to learn about philosophy.. leave that for later.

icxn: I love your quote! Can I have use it elsewhere?

icxn · Oct 25, 2005

thornygrace said:
icxn: I love your quote! Can I have use it elsewhere?

Sure. Here's what I had in mind:

A brother came to Abba Theodore of Pherme and began to converse with him about things which he had never yet put into practice. So the old man said to him, "You have not yet found a ship nor put your cargo aboard it, and before you have even sailed, you have already arrived at the city. Do the work first. Then you will have the speed you are making now. - The Desert Fathers

MrJim · Oct 25, 2005

It wasn't an Orthodox website so it was indeed misleading in saying that the "faithful" did this implying all did.

Thanks TAW

choirfiend · Oct 25, 2005

menno said:
I came across this term. It defined it as:

"The faithful also practice a mystical spiritual discipline known as hesychasm, in which tranquility and spiritual light are sought by quietism and strict control of the body, measuring the phrasing of one's silent praying by the rythm of one's breathing, in order to unite soul and body in prayer."

Guess I've not heard anyone talk about this before. When is it taught?

You've probably not heard it because it is not widely practiced among common folk. It's something that is only to be done under the direction and guidance of an advanced director-monastics are about the only ones. For regular people, this sort of thing can be more damaging than benefitial. It's a part of orthodox spirituality, but you wont find it to be a part of the average Orthodox Christian's life.

Lotar · Oct 26, 2005

You can read about it in The Way of the Pilgrim.

repentant · Oct 26, 2005

Hesychism, means stillness. From the Greek word Isehia which means stillness or quiet. It is a practice of well advanced monks, I don't think many laymen are capable of this endeavor, although it is possible.

What it is, is a person who lives in solitude with quietness, so that they may not have any distractions when in prayer. These are usually hermits, although 2 or more monks may live together in a hut or cell, but not talk to each other, unless necassary. There is also much more and you can read about it, but that is the basics.

Xpycoctomos · Oct 26, 2005

yeah... it's dangerous stuff.. so it is best just to leave it to the monks and nuns. Lay people are not called to this... and if they are... they probably wouldn't be surfing the net much... if not at all!

John

Padraig · Oct 26, 2005

menno said:
I came across this term. It defined it as:

"The faithful also practice a mystical spiritual discipline known as hesychasm, in which tranquility and spiritual light are sought by quietism and strict control of the body, measuring the phrasing of one's silent praying by the rythm of one's breathing, in order to unite soul and body in prayer."

Guess I've not heard anyone talk about this before. When is it taught?

What others have said is sufficient for an explanation. But I wanted to clarify one thing that may result from a misperception. Hesychasm is not an "advanced" form of spirituality in the sense that it is where we are all headed. We are not all called to practice it, nor are those who practice more spiritual than those who don't. It rose in practice in roughly 12th century Byzantium. The hesychaste (quietist) is called to follow this form of ascetic piety. This is not a universal form of practice even among monastics. It is certainly not the practice of the "faithful," nor has it ever been.

Kevin

Xpycoctomos · Oct 26, 2005

Padraig said:
What others have said is sufficient for an explanation. But I wanted to clarify one thing that may result from a misperception. Hesychasm is not an "advanced" form of spirituality in the sense that it is where we are all headed. We are not all called to practice it, nor are those who practice more spiritual than those who don't. It rose in practice in roughly 12th century Byzantium. The hesychaste (quietist) is called to follow this form of ascetic piety. This is not a universal form of practice even among monastics. It is certainly not the practice of the "faithful," nor has it ever been.

Kevin

Good points. Deserved a repost.

Xpycoctomos · Oct 26, 2005

ummm.. how long is this thing going to say that it's my birthday "this week"?

Akathist · Oct 26, 2005

Xpycoctomos said:
ummm.. how long is this thing going to say that it's my birthday "this week"?

... o

xenia interrupts her silent prayer to say:

I think until the 29th... which is both seven days from your b day but also Saturday which is the last day of the week.

Xpycoctomos · Oct 26, 2005

ahhh... gracias

Akathist · Oct 26, 2005

da nada

.........ooooo

Hesychasm?

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