Myths about the energy-essence distinction and hesychasm?

[Not David]

Howdy! Since today is the Second Sunday of Lent, there is a commemoration of St. Gregory Palamas, so I wanted to know which are common myths and misinformation about him and his teachings.

 

[Lawrence87]

Hesychasm whilst not necessarily subject to myth is probably one of the biggest minefields in Orthodoxy. I say that because it seems to me like an area in which zealous newbies think that they can instruct themselves in and then develop the prayer of the heart at home in their bedroom, which leaves them open to deception.

I know from my own experience before coming to Christ and during my exploration of mantra practises that you can quite easily bring yourself into a trance with repetition and become deceived that you have broken through into a higher spiritual state.

Whilst repeating the Jesus Prayer is never a bad thing in itself, repeating it with the thought that you can achieve theosis and see the uncreated light by yourself without instruction in your bedsit is a dangerous game to play.

 

[ArmyMatt]

myth: that he innovated his teaching

 

[Not David]

myth: that he innovated his teaching

In what sense?

 

[ArmyMatt]

In what sense?

that the essence and energies distinction was new

 

[Not David]

that the essence and energies distinction was new

Which writers before St Gregory talked about the distinction?

 

[Ezana]

Which writers before St Gregory talked about the distinction?

Essence – Energies Distinction in the Church Fathers

 

[ArmyMatt]

Which writers before St Gregory talked about the distinction?

it's even as early as St Clement of Rome:

"Seeing then that we have been partakers of many great and glorious doings, let us hasten to return to the goal of peace which hath been handed down to us from the beginning, and let us look steadfastly to the Father and Maker of the whole world, and cleave to His splendid gifts of peace and benefits. Let us behold Him in our mind, and let us look with the eyes of our soul unto His long-suffering will."

 

[Not David]

it's even as early as St Clement of Rome:

"Seeing then that we have been partakers of many great and glorious doings, let us hasten to return to the goal of peace which hath been handed down to us from the beginning, and let us look steadfastly to the Father and Maker of the whole world, and cleave to His splendid gifts of peace and benefits. Let us behold Him in our mind, and let us look with the eyes of our soul unto His long-suffering will."

I read it but I did not understand.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I read it but I did not understand.

it's an early way of speaking of the energies.