Books on Eastern Christian Spirituality-Advice

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Hi everyone!

The short version of my question is: what books on Eastern Christian spirituality would you recommend for someone who is both unfamiliar with the spiritual writings of the Christian East, and who isn’t necessarily inclined to accept organized religion?

The background to this is a phone conversation I had with my aunt. She wanted to talk with me about one of her favorite writers, Garry Wills. For those not familiar with him, he presents himself as a Catholic but does not believe that Jesus established a priesthood, the sacraments, any organized church, or that the Holy Eucharist is anything more than a symbol, among other things. She said that she both agreed with everything that he says, but also admitted that she’s conflicted.

I would like to meet her where she is. I get the sense from talking to her that she feels she has a pretty firm grasp of Western Christian philosophy and theology (I don’t know how objectively true this is, but her perception is what I think matters on this). She seems interested in Eastern Christian spirituality. I wish I could refer her to a priest, but I don’t know of any where she lives, or how open she would be to that. I do think that she would read a book if I recommended it to her. Any suggestions? Hopefully, it would keep the lines of communication open with her on this topic.

Thanks, and sorry for such a long post!
AzzurriFan
 
“The Orthodox Way” by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware is as good an introduction as any that I can think of, as far as a scholarly yet accessible treatise on the fundamentals and profundities of Byzantine spirituality is concerned.
 
I agree with the recommendation of Metropolitan Kallistos Ware.

Also, Vladimir Lossky’s “The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church”.
 
My personal favorite introduction to Eastern/Byzantine spirituality is “The Art of Prayer: An Orthodox Anthology.” It is both deep and extremely accessible. It’s also not one long treatise, but a collection of brief sayings that can be slowly read and mulled over. I like to tell people it makes great bathroom reading. That may sound a little disrespectful, but having two children under four the bathroom quickly becomes a reading sanctuary. 😃

You might also recommend the writings of Fr. George Moloney, S.J. and/or Archbishop Joseph Raya. 👍
 
Orthodox Dogmatic Theology by Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky is an excellent book that will give you a good feel for Byzantine Theology (it is written by an Eastern Orthodox priest - some of it is clearly against the pope and Latin ideas). And it is available online: intratext.com/IXT/ENG0824/_INDEX.HTM
 
Phillip_Rolfes said:
I like to tell people it makes great bathroom reading. That may sound a little disrespectful, but having two children under four the bathroom quickly becomes a reading sanctuary. 😃
👍
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Thanks for the recommendation. I’ve had it in my wish list at Amazon for a while, but I’ve also got 2 kids under 4 (and 5 under 10), I am often restricted to reading in the bathroom as well. Not to mention what having 5 kids under 10 does to my ability to comprehend complex material!
 
Thanks everyone for the recommendations! I’m going to email my aunt later today with one or two book suggestions. Hopefully she’ll be willing to continue our conversation.

And it will give me time to read more of the suggested books myself 🙂
Phillip_Rolfes said:
I like to tell people it makes great bathroom reading. That may sound a little disrespectful, but having two children under four the bathroom quickly becomes a reading sanctuary. 😃
Click to expand...
I love the description 😃

AzzurriFan
 
Phillip_Rolfes said:
I like to tell people it makes great bathroom reading. That may sound a little disrespectful, but having two children under four the bathroom quickly becomes a reading sanctuary. 😃
Click to expand...
Hmmm… Does that stop them from sliding their coloring pictures under the door for you to see?

😃
 
Might I also suggest a few that might not be deemed purely instructional but are easy reads about people living the Faith:

Everyday Saints and Other Stories by Arrchimandrite Tikon Shekonov
In the Spirit of Happiness by the Monks of New Skete
The Pearl at Great Price by Veronica Hughs
 
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