The Way of a Pilgrim tells about the secret of prayer.
It represents so called hesychasm, a mystical tradition
of experiential prayer in the Orthodox Church.
Hello, my friends, after a long time. ( ^.^)ノ I'm sorry, I've been too busy (or lazy) to write my blog lately. This time, I want to introduce one wonderful book that I read some time ago.
The book is a spiritual classic called The Way of a Pilgrim, a 19th-century Russian work, recounting the narrator's journey as a mendicant pilgrim across Russia while practicing the Jesus Prayer, the practice of ceaseless inner prayer and communion with God. The Russian title of the book is actually much longer than its English translation: «Откровенные рассказы странника духовному своему отцу» - literally, 'Candid tales of a pilgrim to his spiritual father'.
In this book, an anonymous pilgrim treks over the Steppes in search of the answer to the one compelling question: How does one pray constantly? Through his journeys, and under the tutelage of a spiritual father, he becomes gradually more open to the promptings of God, and sees joy and plenty wherever he goes. Ultimately, he discovers the different meanings and methods of prayer as he travels to his ultimate destination...
The Way of a Pilgrim is a really amazing and mystical book, one of the best Orthodox Christian books I have ever read. It represents so called hesychasm. It's a mystical tradition of experiential prayer in the Orthodox Church. The Greek-derived word hesychasm means "stillness, rest, quiet, silence". The Hesychast usually experiences the contemplation of God as light. It's called the Uncreated Light and is identified with the Holy Spirit. I feel hesychasm is right way for me.
Silence – often it also means loneliness. While longing for silence, soul doesn't like noise or noisy people. The Bible says, "My soul, wait thou in silence for God only; for my expectation is from him" (Psalm 62:5).
Here I want to share two quotes from the book:
"Sit alone and in silence; bow your head and close your eyes; relax your breathing and with your imagination look into your heart; direct your thoughts from your head into your heart. And while inhaling say, 'Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me,' either softly with your lips or in your mind. Endeavor to fight distractions but be patient and peaceful and repeat this process frequently."
"All that is necessary is to descend in silence into the depths of one's heart and call on the name of Jesus Christ frequently. In this way one can experience interior light and many things will become clear to him, even the mysteries of the kingdom of God. And what depth of mystery and what light there is when man realizes his ability to descend into himself, to see his inner self, to take pleasure in self-knowledge, to be touched and even to shed tears over his fallen and weakened will. It is not difficult to be reasonable and to speak sensibly with people, for the mind and the heart of man preceded knowledge and wisdom. When one has a mind, it is possible to cultivate it with learning and experience, but when there is no brain, no upbringing will help. The fact is that we are alienated from ourselves and have little desire really to know ourselves; we run in order to avoid meeting ourselves and we exchange truth for trinkets while we say, 'I would like to have time for prayer and the spiritual life but the cares and difficulties of this life demand all my time and energies.' And what is more important and necessary, the eternal life of the soul or the temporary life of the body about which man worries so much? It is this choice which man makes that either leads him to wisdom or keeps him in ignorance."
If you want to get a whole PDF book in English, just send me a private message via YouTube and give me your personal email address. (Please don't share your secret email address here in public.) Then I'll post you a free PDF file (3,74 Mb). The book contains 196 pages. You can find the original Russian text here (click the blue word). By the way, here is a real treasure in Russian language – a free digital Orthodox Christian library: Библиотечка Православной.
Regarding the Jesus Prayer, you can find my video from YouTube:
The book is a spiritual classic called The Way of a Pilgrim, a 19th-century Russian work, recounting the narrator's journey as a mendicant pilgrim across Russia while practicing the Jesus Prayer, the practice of ceaseless inner prayer and communion with God. The Russian title of the book is actually much longer than its English translation: «Откровенные рассказы странника духовному своему отцу» - literally, 'Candid tales of a pilgrim to his spiritual father'.
In this book, an anonymous pilgrim treks over the Steppes in search of the answer to the one compelling question: How does one pray constantly? Through his journeys, and under the tutelage of a spiritual father, he becomes gradually more open to the promptings of God, and sees joy and plenty wherever he goes. Ultimately, he discovers the different meanings and methods of prayer as he travels to his ultimate destination...
The Way of a Pilgrim is a really amazing and mystical book, one of the best Orthodox Christian books I have ever read. It represents so called hesychasm. It's a mystical tradition of experiential prayer in the Orthodox Church. The Greek-derived word hesychasm means "stillness, rest, quiet, silence". The Hesychast usually experiences the contemplation of God as light. It's called the Uncreated Light and is identified with the Holy Spirit. I feel hesychasm is right way for me.
The Russian front cover of The Way of a Pilgrim.
The Way of Silence and the Jesus Prayer
Here I want to share two quotes from the book:
"Sit alone and in silence; bow your head and close your eyes; relax your breathing and with your imagination look into your heart; direct your thoughts from your head into your heart. And while inhaling say, 'Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me,' either softly with your lips or in your mind. Endeavor to fight distractions but be patient and peaceful and repeat this process frequently."
"All that is necessary is to descend in silence into the depths of one's heart and call on the name of Jesus Christ frequently. In this way one can experience interior light and many things will become clear to him, even the mysteries of the kingdom of God. And what depth of mystery and what light there is when man realizes his ability to descend into himself, to see his inner self, to take pleasure in self-knowledge, to be touched and even to shed tears over his fallen and weakened will. It is not difficult to be reasonable and to speak sensibly with people, for the mind and the heart of man preceded knowledge and wisdom. When one has a mind, it is possible to cultivate it with learning and experience, but when there is no brain, no upbringing will help. The fact is that we are alienated from ourselves and have little desire really to know ourselves; we run in order to avoid meeting ourselves and we exchange truth for trinkets while we say, 'I would like to have time for prayer and the spiritual life but the cares and difficulties of this life demand all my time and energies.' And what is more important and necessary, the eternal life of the soul or the temporary life of the body about which man worries so much? It is this choice which man makes that either leads him to wisdom or keeps him in ignorance."
If you want to get a whole PDF book in English, just send me a private message via YouTube and give me your personal email address. (Please don't share your secret email address here in public.) Then I'll post you a free PDF file (3,74 Mb). The book contains 196 pages. You can find the original Russian text here (click the blue word). By the way, here is a real treasure in Russian language – a free digital Orthodox Christian library: Библиотечка Православной.
Regarding the Jesus Prayer, you can find my video from YouTube:
In this prayer, one sentence repeated over and over again. In English language it goes (in the shortest form): "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me." That's all. Very simple and short, but very powerful prayer.
These days, except that I'm working diligently, I'm just searching for the silence and the presence of God. In this quest, I'm using the Jesus Prayer. I am not a good Christian (far from it), but I try to do my best. We all have our own battles to win, and that's the way of sanctification or divinization...
Blessings to all of you, my friends. （＾—＾）
Best greetings from warm and sunny Finland,
Teisuka
The Finnish front cover of The Way of a Pilgrim.
Hi, Teisuka! Indeed great book and the Jesus prayer helps to overcome any troubles and hard times though we should practice it in times of prosperity too cause it is like breathing of soul. The spiritual practice of Hesychasm is the basis of theological concept of synergy. It was developed by Grigory Palama. I work in some projects of the Institute of synergetic anthropology (http://synergia-isa.ru/?page_id=1389) where the heritage of hesychasts is actively used. Blessings from Moscow! Victor.
ReplyDeleteHi, Victor! Thank you for visiting, and for your great comment. Spasibo! So glad to see you here, my friend. The Jesus Prayer "is like breathing of soul" - indeed. I am interested in learning more about Grigory Palama, and that's why I'm going to buy the book called Philokalia (I know it's a real treasure for a lifetime). Many thanks also for sharing an interesting ink with me. I really appreciate it. You are priviledged to work in such a great projects. Blessings to Moscow from West Finland! :) Teisuka
DeleteHi Teisuka,
ReplyDeleteLong time no "see"! -:) Thank you for this enlightening, insightful blog article regarding a great book about faith. It's great that you shared two passages that are very helpful to me. I have been a Christian for a long time, but I've always struggled with my faith. Probably it's related to how I pray. Most of the time, I pray for the things I want in life, health, success, prosperity, happiness, security, financial well-being, etc. Of course, there shouldn't be anything wrong with praying for these things, but they definitely should not be the focus of one's life. The attachment to these things in human life can only lead to short happiness or even unhappiness. So from now on, I think I should start praying in a different way and going inward (by looking into my heart) to search for the kingdom of God.
I have been busy or rather struggling lately, so I have been on YouTube much less than before. I always feel tired, not able to focus on what I'm supposed to do. I feel very frustrated. Hopefully the way of prayer that you introduced to us might help me. -:) I definitely should communicate more with the God, and be closer to Him...
It seems that you've really found the inner peace after a long journey of faith. I'm very happy for you. May you continue having joy and peace as you grow further in your faith. God bless you, my friend! -:)
Enjoy the rest of the week and have a great summer! -:)
Bao
Hi Bao,
DeleteIndeed, long time no "see". :) I thank you for your warm words and blessings, my dear friend. So happy to see in my blog again. Also glad to hear you liked this article. For me, to find this book was like a little enlightenment. Just like you, I've always struggled with my faith and the same things as you mentioned. For sure, to search for the kingdom of God, should be the most important thing for us.
Sad to hear about your problems. I wish you find strength and concentration. Yes, I think this prayer can help you too. It really works. But, to be honest, I haven't find the definitive inner peace yet. I'm still on the way... and it's a long road.
You too, may God bless you, my friend. Have a great summer and all the best! :) Greetings from very hot and sunny Finland,
Teisuka