Desert Spirituality (Books)

[Big_Chris]

I’m going to start my study of Eastern mysticism by diving into the Desert Fathers/Mothers. What are the best books on the subject?

Obviously the Logia (Sayings) and Lives will top the list, but what else? Who else?

 

[Phillip_Rolfes]

The series of books entitles The Evergetinos is considered the classic collection, and the prelude to the other series The Philokalia. The Evergetinos is available from the following website:

ctosonline.org/patristic/EvCT.html

I’ve not read any of it myself, but it is certainly on my list. I think I might go ahead an order one or two volumes of it.

 

[ThatOneGuy92]

I would recommend Helen Waddell’s book, “The Desert Fathers”. While I have not personally read it (though it is on the list!), I have heard nothing but good about it. It should serve as a good introduction to the Desert Fathers.

I would also recommend “The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection”, translated by Sister Benedicta Ward. It is a collection of stories about and phrases spoken by the Desert Fathers (and Mothers). These are more like something upon which to meditate.

While the first book should give you something of an “intellectual” introduction, the latter gives you more a glimpse into their heart. Combined, this should give you a good basis.

Hope that helps

 

[MrPip]

I would recommend Helen Waddell’s book, “The Desert Fathers”. While I have not personally read it (though it is on the list!), I have heard nothing but good about it. It should serve as a good introduction to the Desert Fathers.

I would also recommend “The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection”, translated by Sister Benedicta Ward. It is a collection of stories about and phrases spoken by the Desert Fathers (and Mothers). These are more like something upon which to meditate.

While the first book should give you something of an “intellectual” introduction, the latter gives you more a glimpse into their heart. Combined, this should give you a good basis.

Hope that helps

I would second the above suggestions . The Evergetinos and the Philokalia (4 volumes) are exceptional material but you may find yourself overwhelmed and/or out of your depth if you choose to start with them.

 

[TimothyH]

This is something I would like to hear more about as well.

I’m wondering if there is a compilation or introduction.

-Tim-

 

[Big_Chris]

I’ve read through Sr. Benedicta Ward’s fabulous Logia collection before, but I really should revisit it. I should also keep it with me at all times for those moments when I could use a good Christian koan. *The **Evergetinos *looks really tempting, but I’m not shelling out $240 for the hardcovers right now when there are many, many other books I want first.

 

[MrPip]

This is something I would like to hear more about as well.

I’m wondering if there is a compilation or introduction.

-Tim-

Helen Waddell’s The Desert Fathers is an excellent introduction. You might also like Mike Aguilina’s The Fathers of the Church. Check it out here:* amazon.com/Fathers-Church-Expanded-Mike-Aquilina/dp/159276245X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329424072&sr=1-1*. Pope Benedict XVI’s The Fathers looks good, too, but I haven’t delved into it yet. See here: *amazon.com/Fathers-Pope-Benedict-XVI/dp/1592764401/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329424072&sr=1-3
*
Comprehensive compilations are The Philokalia, The Evergetinos. Then there’s always The Ante-Nicene Fathers. I’d start with Waddell, Aguilina, and PB16, though unless you’ve got lots of time, are highly ambitious, and smarter than I am (which wouldn’t take much !).

 

[Big_Chris]

Expanding the list for Google searches:

The Evergetinos is the starting and ending point for any serious reader in not only Desert Spirituality but Christian Life and Prayer. The CTOS translation is indispensable.

George Maloney’s, S.J.'s Prayer of the Heart is the best application of Desert Spirituality to everyman’s contemporary spirituality.

St. John Cassian’s *Conferences *and St. Isaac the Syrian’s *Ascetical Homilies *are clearly intended for a monastic audience, but I sincerely believe that studying either of these works and living the precepts contained therein will lead a soul to heaven. Holy Transfiguration Monastery recently released a Second Edition of St. Isaac’s Homilies, and there is really no reason whatsoever that a Christian soul should be without these writings.

The novice would be well-advised to start with either of Sr. Benedicta Ward’s collection of “Sayings” - though the Cistercian Publications edition is more complete - and Fr. Maloney’s “Prayer of the Heart” (mentioned above). I didn’t find Helen Waddell’s book nearly as comprehensively edifying on the subject as these books.

We must remember that the spirituality of the desert was not an end in itself, and Moschus’ *Spiritual Meadow *clearly demonstrates the danger and unChristian ethic which some desert monastics applied to their lives.

 

[Phillip_Rolfes]

Chris,

Ward’s book is probably the best place to start since it’s a simple one-volume collection as compared to the multi-volume Evergetinos.

If you’re going to get into reading Fr. Maloney’s works (which are indeed worth reading), then I also recommend that you read some of the writings of the Servant of God Catherine Doherty, particularly her works Poustinia, Strannik, and Sobornost. What she does in those work is attempt to communicate Russian spirituality to a Western audience. Russian spirituality itself is a communication of desert spirituality into an Eastern European context. Although her works were criticized by Fr. Seraphim Rose, they are still worth the read. I personally have found little worth criticizing in her works.

My own personal advise would be along the same lines as the advise of Bishop Ignatios Brianchaninov and St. Theophan the Recluse, begin by reading the great Russian mystics because they are closer to us in time and cultural context. After digesting their works, move on to the works of the Desert Fathers.

ICXC + NIKA,
Phillip

 

[Splagchnizomai]

I’m going to start my study of Eastern mysticism by diving into the Desert Fathers/Mothers. What are the best books on the subject?

Obviously the Logia (Sayings) and Lives will top the list, but what else? Who else?

Have you gone to Divine Liturgy? Liturgy is catechesis!