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AnthonyJ
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Would anyone know when the fifth and I believe final volume of the Philokalia is to be published in English? Thank you.
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JM3
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Found this on a blog. You may want to stay away from this volume.My impression is that part of the reason that His Eminence is equivocating on publishing it (the translation is, so I’ve heard, done) is that there is much in the fifth volume on the breathing discipline associated with hesychastic prayer.
newadvent.org/cathen/07301a.htm
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Nine_Two
Guest
The fact that the translator is a very busy man, and is now the sole translator might explain a lot.
I’ve heard the breathing exercises thing being the reason before and I don’t buy it, the dangers associated with hesychistic prayer without guidence manifest themselves long before you get to the breathing, and if you have proper guidence you don’t really need an English translation, only a unilingual person trying to guide another would need an English translation, a small market.
I’ve heard the breathing exercises thing being the reason before and I don’t buy it, the dangers associated with hesychistic prayer without guidence manifest themselves long before you get to the breathing, and if you have proper guidence you don’t really need an English translation, only a unilingual person trying to guide another would need an English translation, a small market.
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Phillip_Rolfes
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I wouldn’t trust this source for hesychastic prayer. Roman theologians are notorious for misunderstanding exactly what hesychasm is. If you really want to know about hesychasm, read Metropolitan Kallistos Ware’s “Inner Kingdom,” There he gives a nice explanation of hesychasm, what it is, and what it isn’t. He also speaks of the different levels and understandings of hesychasm. It’s quite good.
Incidentally, Met. Kallistos, as was mentioned, is the last surviving translator of the Philokalia. A hearty speaking tour and age have slowed his progress on the translation. God grant that he might complete his work before he is called home.
To supplement the Philokalia I recommend reading “The Art of Prayer: An Orthodox Anthology.” This book reveals a proper understanding of hesychasm, the role of the breathing techniques, how they are unnecessary. Breathing techniques are only tools for quieting the mind and focusing on the heart. They are unnecessary, and are certainly not the essence of hesychasm. St. Theophan the Recluse (in the Art of Prayer) explains this all very thoroughly. Again, I wouldn’t rely on a Roman source for properly understanding hesychasm.
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theidler
Guest
This is because the West has often misinterpreted hesychasm as some kind of Messalianism. It is not, but it can denigrate into that, no doubt.
To deny the Philokalia is to deny many pre-schism saints as well - we might as well say that St. Maximus the Confessor was in the wrong, that St. John Climacus was wrong…etc. etc. etc.
I for one find the Philokalia to be one of the most profound collections of Christian writing ever made.
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