O
opusAquinas
Guest
What are the dangers of philokalia?
- Status
E
edward_george
Guest
The Philokalia is a collection of (mostly) Greek monastic ascetic spiritual texts from the 3rd century onward through about the 15th. It was compiled in the 18th century. A good amount of the material is pre-Schism, and thus the shared heritage of Catholicism and Orthodoxy.
That said, why do you think the Philokalia would be dangerous? It’s not advisable to read it or practice what is advised therein unless under the care of a spiritual director, but I would hardly call that dangerous.
-ACEGC
That said, why do you think the Philokalia would be dangerous? It’s not advisable to read it or practice what is advised therein unless under the care of a spiritual director, but I would hardly call that dangerous.
-ACEGC
C
Casilda
Guest
It’s not for the scrupulous who may be overcome with the rigourousness of the self-discipline and be lost in it instead of their intended purpose of purification to clear one’s mind, body and therefore soul.
F
FollowChrist34
Guest
The Philokalia are dangerous? Uh oh. I’ve read them for years.
They are a very beautiful, powerful set of early spiritual Eastern Christian writings, nothing more. They are a companion to the Evergetinos. (in theory you read them both)
They are very ascetic for sure - excessively so in some cases (at one point they forbid laughter
).
But in my view a reasonably well-informed, well-balanced 21st century Catholic or Christian can gain a lot from them. I just apply perspective on the asceticism - these are the reputed writings of early centuries Desert Fathers - monks, hermits, etc.
Speaking from the view of a modern Westerner, they are quite the tonic. It’s like washing your face and hands in a mountain stream. And you are a much better Christian for it.
Don’t pass them up.
They are a very beautiful, powerful set of early spiritual Eastern Christian writings, nothing more. They are a companion to the Evergetinos. (in theory you read them both)
They are very ascetic for sure - excessively so in some cases (at one point they forbid laughter
).But in my view a reasonably well-informed, well-balanced 21st century Catholic or Christian can gain a lot from them. I just apply perspective on the asceticism - these are the reputed writings of early centuries Desert Fathers - monks, hermits, etc.
Speaking from the view of a modern Westerner, they are quite the tonic. It’s like washing your face and hands in a mountain stream. And you are a much better Christian for it.
Don’t pass them up.
T
TimothyH
Guest
This is my experience as well.The Philokalia are dangerous? Uh oh. I’ve read them for years.
They are a very beautiful, powerful set of early spiritual Eastern Christian writings, nothing more. They are a companion to the Evergetinos. (in theory you read them both)
They are very ascetic for sure - excessively so in some cases (at one point they forbid laughter
But in my view a reasonably well-informed, well-balanced 21st century Catholic or Christian can gain a lot from them. I just apply perspective on the asceticism - these are the reputed writings of early centuries Desert Fathers - monks, hermits, etc.
Speaking from the view of a modern Westerner, they are quite the tonic. It’s like washing your face and hands in a mountain stream. And you are a much better Christian for it.
Don’t pass them up.
People are intelligent enough to understand that most if it is written for monastics. Anyone who walks off into the desert wearing a hairshirt because they read the Philokalia probably has mental issues anyway.
-Tim-
O
opusAquinas
Guest
Kallistos Ware in a youtube presentation mentions there are dangers but is not specific with regard to breathing exercises with the Jesus Prayer.
S
Seekerjn316
Guest
As an outsider do Orthodoxy and Catholicism, I have several prayer ropes. I have found them quite helpful at times when I’ve been with Friends who have chosen to explore this aspect of eastern spirituality. There was a group of Friends a few years back that met during the week to discuss our progress. In unprotected worship we were able to blend Quaker spirituality with the Jesus Prayer.
While I dont use the prayer rope each Meeting, it is a useful tool when Centering at home, or on a long plane trip
In Thomas Kelly’s .“Testament of Devotion”, in the section “The Light Within” he wrote how difficult it is to get into that state of “continuous prayer”…how it is a dislike that is like any exercise…,we must return to it again and again, how we may only Center a minute at a time at first, but as we return to that Place deep within us, we begin to ggrow…5 mins…10 mins…1 hour…
I enjoyed exploring this aspect of our prayer life…I have incorporated the prayer rope in my devotional times…only a hand full of us have continued to use the rope…the others in the class went on to explore other facets of developing a consistent spiritual life that works for them.
While I dont use the prayer rope each Meeting, it is a useful tool when Centering at home, or on a long plane trip
In Thomas Kelly’s .“Testament of Devotion”, in the section “The Light Within” he wrote how difficult it is to get into that state of “continuous prayer”…how it is a dislike that is like any exercise…,we must return to it again and again, how we may only Center a minute at a time at first, but as we return to that Place deep within us, we begin to ggrow…5 mins…10 mins…1 hour…
I enjoyed exploring this aspect of our prayer life…I have incorporated the prayer rope in my devotional times…only a hand full of us have continued to use the rope…the others in the class went on to explore other facets of developing a consistent spiritual life that works for them.
O
opusAquinas
Guest
Ware warns that delusions can occur.
B
badnewsbarrett
Guest
Those can certainly occur, if you fast for days while wandering in the desert. But as far as reading it, I think that’s the same as reading anything else.
I actually hope that an authentically Eastern monasticism can make its way to the US, whether it’s Eastern Orthodox or Eastern Catholic. Eastern Catholicism outside its ancestral homelands would certainly get an authenticity-bump (and a bishop-continuity bump) by establishing thorough monastic formation here instead of always doing it elsewhere. In that specific context, this philokalia thing would be quite useful rather than dangerous.
V
Vanez
Guest
If i am not mistaken, i think you mixed philokalia with hesychasm.
Philokalia is a collection of written texts from 4th - 15th century. Do you think that reading is dangerous?
Hesychasm is a practice of eastern churches, with a chotki. Or without a chotki. This is what needs guidance from your spiritual father.
Philokalia is a collection of written texts from 4th - 15th century. Do you think that reading is dangerous?
Hesychasm is a practice of eastern churches, with a chotki. Or without a chotki. This is what needs guidance from your spiritual father.
T
thinkandmull
Guest
What should I search on youtube to find that video?
S
shayneswenson
Guest
There are quite a few authentic Orthodox monasteries in the USA and Canada. My Spiritual Father, Abbot Tryphon of All Merciful Savior, operates a Russian Orthodox monastery on Vashon Island which is about a 10 minute ferry ride from Seattle. There are many more throughout the US, you just need to know what to look for. St Anthony’s is in Arizona, and Elder Ephraim, the Elder of the community was a Spiritual Son of Elder(almost Saint!)Joseph the Hesychast while he lived on Mount Athos. People flock to St Anthony’s from all over the world.
S
shayneswenson
Guest
This is the exact attitude towards spiritual things that is incessantly warned about by the Desert Fathers, as well as many many more Orthodox Saints, Elders, and monastics. The term we use is Prelest. A common way that spiritual delusion comes is when you incorporate DIY spiritual practices from several different religions into your life. That is hubris of the highest order, and instead of encountering God, you will inevitably encounter your own projections and deluded imaginings. The Orthodox are very vocal in warning about this through the experiences of many heretics and fallen monastics. Humility preceeds repentance, which preceeds any authentic encounter with God. Otherwise all you do is wallow in self made, or demonic delusion.
P
Phillip_Rolfes
Guest
As was mentioned in an above post, authentic Eastern/Byzantine monasticism is alive and present in the U.S. “Holy Resurrection Monastery,” and its sister monastery “Holy Theophany,” both exist under the omophor of His Grace Bishop John Michael Botean of the Romanian Greek Catholic Diocese of Canton. Christ the Bridegroom monastery is under the omophor of Bishop John Kurdrik (Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic), and then there are the monks of Mt. Tabor Monastery (Ukrainian Catholic) out in California.
There are also two male monasteries within the Maronite eparchies of the U.S., and I can think of at least one order of sisters for the Maronites.
The Orthodox also have a bunch of great monasteries in the U.S. St. Anthony’s has already been mentioned. There is also St. Gregory Palamas in Ohio (Greek Orthodox). I know of a Romanian Orthodox monastery in Michigan as well. There are a bunch more, but I can’t think of them all right now.
I would be interested to learn of any Oriental Orthodox monasteries in the U.S,
R
RyanJPII
Guest
I have been told that both the philokalia and hesychasm should only be undertook under the guidance of a spiritual father.
Is this something specific to these two things or is it just that, in the orthodox tradition, anyone who deisres to fully commit to prayer needs a spiritual father
C
Casilda
Guest
It is specific. One has a better chance of access to a spiritual counselor within the EO/EC because parishes tend to be smaller. Their priests are more concerned about their flock.
W
Widlast
Guest
Neither is “dangerous”, though I would suggest having a spiritual father to guide you in these.
Elder Ephraim is at the St. Anthony Monastery in Arizona
stanthonysmonastery.org/
His spiritual father was St. Joseph the Hesychast, he was famous for that type of prayer.
Elder Ephraim is at the St. Anthony Monastery in Arizona
stanthonysmonastery.org/
His spiritual father was St. Joseph the Hesychast, he was famous for that type of prayer.
P
Phillip_Rolfes
Guest
It’s good to note that even the great mystics of the Eastern tradition said that we should still pursue the spiritual life even in the absence of a spiritual guide. They admit that the journey will be more difficult, but not impossible. The same holds true for pursuing a life of hesychasm/stillness - to which we are all called. Read Sts. Theophan the Recluse and Ignatius Brianchaninov on these matters. They both say that the only thing we should do away with in the absence of a spiritual guide are the “physical methods” or “psycho-somatic techniques” often associated with hesychasm and the Jesus Prayer.
As I mentioned in an above post, even the compilers of the Philokalia felt that the work was important enough that it needed to be published and widely distributed; made available to all whether they have a spiritual guide or not. The same held true for the Athonite monk who inspired the translation of the Philokalia into English. We have to trust in the Holy Spirit to use the work according to His ends. Discernment and caution are needed in reading, as not everything will apply universally. But the work she be read, studied and prayed nonetheless.
As I mentioned in an above post, even the compilers of the Philokalia felt that the work was important enough that it needed to be published and widely distributed; made available to all whether they have a spiritual guide or not. The same held true for the Athonite monk who inspired the translation of the Philokalia into English. We have to trust in the Holy Spirit to use the work according to His ends. Discernment and caution are needed in reading, as not everything will apply universally. But the work she be read, studied and prayed nonetheless.
- Status