Resting in the Wisdom of The Philokalia

How do we balance our inner practice with our everyday responsibilities? This month, we turn to wisdom from Eastern Orthodox Christianity to explore key principles of the contemplative lifestyle—specifically, Hesychasm, a contemplative prayer of stillness. Join us in discovering more about the Philokalia, a collection of ancient texts that offer guidance for living a contemplative life. 

The Philokalia is a complex collection of ancient texts written between the 4^th and 15^th centuries by spiritual masters of the Orthodox Christian tradition. It’s a comprehensive guide to the many tried and tested ideas about how to live a contemplative life, offering a mystical school of inward prayer that gives key insights for walking towards union with the Divine. 

According to the many authors of the Philokalia, cultivating a contemplative lifestyle means finding a balance between the purification of our hearts or (inner work) and outer actions, like making decisions grounded in our morals and values, and following the commandments. St Nikodimos, the compiler of the Philokalia, reflects that centering outward spiritual action is how most people tend to live their lives. 

Today, many of us walking a spiritual path give greater importance to taking moral action in our outer lives, while letting our inner work fall by the wayside. The Philokalia’s guidance, however, suggests that the regular practice of inner work—or inner cleansing— can plant a seed within us that grows into the fullness of Christ. 

Scholars of the Philokalia have used the metaphor of washing our dishes each day to describe this practice. It implies that our work towards a purity of heart and alignment with God should be as regular and essential as our small acts of house cleaning each day. 

So, what is this “inner work” the Philokalia speak of? According to the texts, one way of engaging in meaningful inner work can be achieved through a state called hesychia, in other words, a fixed, concentrated stillness. It’s a way of prayer that steers away from iconography, or words, in favor of simple communion with our Divine indwelling. 

One entry point into hesychia is the Jesus Prayer, an invocation of the name of Jesus in concentrated silence. It’s a way of accessing the deep indwelling of divine wisdom within all of us, not unlike the practice of centering prayer. Learn more about developing your own centering prayer practice here. 

Indeed, among all the complex texts and ideas included in the Philokalia, the invitation to reach a state of contemplation through the practice of the Jesus prayer is a common theme that runs through the texts. This practice is just one piece, however, of a complex and winding spiritual road that the Philokalia lays out as hesychasm the continued life-long study which constitutes the path towards Divine union itself. 

In our fast-paced and often chaotic modern world, the teachings of the Philokalia offer a counterbalance, inviting individuals to embrace stillness, silence, and inner contemplation amidst the busyness of daily life. By integrating the principles of contemplative life and hesychia into our modern lifestyle, we can cultivate a deeper sense of spiritual awareness, inner peace, and communion with the Divine.  

Reflect with Us 

When do you find stillness in your daily life? Share your reflection with us. 

Special gratitude for CAC Librarians Lee Staman and Seth Wilmor for their detailed and thorough research on the Philokalia. 

We Conspire is a series from the Center for Action and Contemplation featuring wisdom and stories from the growing Christian contemplative movement. Sign up for the monthly email series and receive a free invitation to practice each month.