Why not Hesychasm?

[~Anastasia~]

I have an idea of the answer to the question asked in the title.

The reason I am asking is this. I have had a misunderstanding of what Hesychasm is (and I am very sure I have much more to learn). But I was under the impression that it was some strange process, unique to monastics, that involved postures and breathing and special prayers, with the intent of embarking on some very esoteric journey that no one other than monks were suited to.

Ok ... So maybe part of that is technically accurate, though perhaps best stated in other terms, since this paints an exaggerated picture. But the warning was always "stay away from it, it is dangerous without proper spiritual guidance - and unnecessary for the layman". Given what I understood hesychasm to be, I was perfectly satisfied with the warning.

But I have a question. I think maybe hesychasm is not really what I thought it was. I understand the word basically means "the way of silence" and while there are various "methods" used - or not - the point is really just to cleanse and restore the human person and seek unity with God. I just read this from an Archbishop, speaking of the teaching of St. Gregory Palamas: "It is primarily the human person to which the therapeutic and salvific methods of Hesychasm, as the spiritual teachings of Palamas are called, are directed. The cleaning and enlightenment of the individual human mind, the purification of the human heart, and the restoration of the passions (which have been misdirected and perverted, as a result of the Fall) constitute the Hesychastic way of life."

Given the understanding I have been getting from reading several books and speaking to my SF, I begin to wonder - why is this not the process everyone seeks, since the result is what we desire for our salvation? Why does it seem to be walled off from most of the Church?

And indeed, it does seem perfectly possible to me that one who has real attention during their regular prayers could achieve the same results by the grace of God anyway?

 

[truefiction1]

Hesychasm doesn't always help someone. It's practice has the potential to worsen a person's spiritual ailment. Other kinds of activity may be more beneficial and appropriate until one is successfuly able to endure the spiritual rigors of the unseen warfare.

In addition, I would say that many laymen have work, family, and community obligations that prevent them from pursuing an ardent practice of hesychasm. If affect regulation is the outcome, then a man or woman who handles their emotions effectively in the heat of everyday life is not less a child of heaven than a hesychast who practices this as a means of acquiring control of their emotions.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Thank you, good answer. I was somewhat thinking of part of this as potential reasons but you have expressed it better than my thoughts and added to it.

Hesychasm doesn't always help someone. It's practice has the potential to worsen a person's spiritual ailment. Other kinds of activity may be more beneficial and appropriate until one is successfuly able to endure the spiritual rigors of the unseen warfare.

True. I wasn't thinking of the condition of the person but imagining someone in a fairly ideal condition for beginning. I'm being overly optimistic - that would be a primary consideration. Not to mention (to me a major factor) there is apparently a real lack of persons able to oversee the process. It would also be necessary for such a person to be able to assess the condition of each person, and as you say, help them in other ways in the meantime.

Part of me wonders why the Church doesn't seem to concern herself with teaching (or more to the point, maybe providing people with the opportunity to learn) how to do this? I wonder did she ever? Or maybe it's more driven by the vocations of those who come into the Church. We don't even have enough priests to simply celebrate Liturgy and offer Confession and other basic pastoral care to all of the faithful - so I suppose it's asking too much at this point (of Orthodoxy in the US and probably many/most other places?) to expect there to be enough able spiritual guides to facilitate complete spiritual/emotional healing for everyone?

In addition, I would say that many laymen have work, family, and community obligations that prevent them from pursuing an ardent practice of hesychasm. If affect regulation is the outcome, then a man or woman who handles their emotions effectively in the heat of everyday life is not less a child of heaven than a hesychast who practices this as a means of acquiring control of their emotions.

This is something I should not have had to be reminded of, but you are absolutely right. It doesn't take a lot of obligations to make such a pursuit impossible or at least very difficult.

But the end there touches on part of the reason I ask the question. Everyday life, lived with real intention to allow ourselves to be formed into the likeness of Christ, offers many opportunities that are similar. The practice of prayer of anyone can - I think? - yield some of the same benefits?

I think part of my point is that I don't see such an incredibly sharp delineation between a strict monastic Hesychast and the life that can be lived by a layperson who actively pursues the experience and grace of God. Though I certainly understand and agree that certain practices can be risky, and require oversight. But I am not so sure that these tools themselves are the real heart of hesychasm.

Maybe it is still my definitions that need to be refined.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I would say that hesychasm is for all of us. what we must understand is that the calling of ceaseless prayer and silence is different for the monastic than it is for the layman. sincerely praying your prayer rule as someone in the world for 10 minutes could be much more salvific than repeatedly going through the Jesus prayer motions.

 

[~Anastasia~]

I would say that hesychasm is for all of us. what we must understand is that the calling of ceaseless prayer and silence is different for the monastic than it is for the layman. sincerely praying your prayer rule as someone in the world for 10 minutes could be much more salvific than repeatedly going through the Jesus prayer motions.

Ah, now I think this is what I'm getting at.

It might be a matter of different understandings of what "hesychasm" is. Certain things I know people ought not go off and do on their own. But on the other hand, I guess it's just that I'm reading of some things being called hesychasm that I didn't realize would be?

And that's kind of my point. Being sincere with a simple prayer rule - it seems to me that God can accomplish what needs to be done in a person through just that as well. Rather than thinking that certain intense exercises are the only way ...

I can certainly be wrong. My understanding has undergone two pretty major revisions in the past few months. So I might very well have a few more to go.

St. Gregory Palamas is, frankly, a little "heavy" for me just yet.

 

[GoingByzantine]

I have also heard that hesychasm is not for lay people, and going along with that theme, I have heard that praying a prayer rope in public is considered "show-offish" and frowned upon for lay people.

 

[~Anastasia~]

I have also heard that hesychasm is not for lay people, and going along with that theme, I have heard that praying a prayer rope in public is considered "show-offish" and frowned upon for lay people.

I have heard as well that hesychasm is not for lay people - but I think that depends on how you define hesychasm. My priest gave me an example during catechesis, and I suppose I took his description to be a complete definition.

A year later I discovered that other practices could properly be called hesychastic practices.

Now ... I think that I'm beginning to see that maybe it isn't the practices themselves that necessarily define hesychasm, but perhaps it is more the process and goal? I'm still a little fuzzy on whether this is correct or not.

The overall process and goal is for everyone, I think. Particular techniques are not, and require care and oversight in selection. Don't we seek guidance from our priest in even selecting a simple prayer rule?

But I might still have a misunderstanding of the definition. Or maybe it's a matter that most people really do mean particular hesychastic practices when they mention it. However ... I wish I had known sooner that a narrow slice of practices didn't represent the whole. Not that I'm bothered by that error anymore. Things have a way of working out as they should if we trust God, I think.

Oh, as far as the prayer rope ... It might vary of course. But I've been advised the same thing by a number of sources. If you're speaking of something like a 33-knot bracelet, wearing it shouldn't be a problem, but otoh I have felt self-conscious about mine sometimes. But I've noticed several people in my parish wearing them, and there are probably more. I don't actually pay attention. A 300-knot rope might be another matter ... and it most definitely isn't to be worn around the neck or tucked into the belt from what I've heard. Not that this advice is something I need to worry about - I don't have a 300-knot prayer rope.

 

[Wryetui]

But Hesychasm doesn't mean the Jesus prayer? Can you say the prayer without practicing it? I was told that you can always say de Jesus prayer and in any moment...

 

[~Anastasia~]

But Hesychasm doesn't mean the Jesus prayer? Can you say the prayer without practicing it? I was told that you can always say de Jesus prayer and in any moment...

I think that's the answer to my question - how does one define hesychasm?

Yes, I am sure you can say the prayer anytime. Of course you should ask your priest, but simply saying the Jesus prayer when you have need of it should not pose any problem.

Trying to descend your mind into your heart, through any method (including many repetitions) is not something that should be done without guidance and preparation.

In some cases, just sitting before God in prayerful silence is referred to by some as hesychasm, as are many other things ... Some are probably naturally practiced by anyone who is attentive to their regular prayer rule. And some would be something that involve detailed instruction.

But yes, talk to your priest (standard disclaimer) but simply saying the Jesus Prayer when you have need of it is probably something he will easily allow.

 

[ArmyMatt]

As Fr Seraphim Rose would say, we need to be hesychasts, just with the humility of being one at our level

 

[~Anastasia~]

As Fr Seraphim Rose would say, we need to be hesychasts, just with the humility of being one at our level

Thanks, Matt. I've never heard that quote before. It is very apt.

I'm glad I asked the question. It has helped clarify things a bit.