Human Development
Hesychasm
Description:
The term derives from Hesychius, who founded a sect in 5th century Jerusalem. An inner tranquillity is achieved through combining a simple spoken prayer, [Kyrie eleison] - in full, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner" - with the rhythm of the heartbeat or of breathing. The prayer may be shortened, sometimes to the simple repetition of the name Jesus. The power of this name is indicated in the New Testament where it castes out devils, heals the sick and justifies people. Jesus told his followers that whatever they asked in his name would be granted.The intent is to move from verbal repetition of the prayer to mental prayer to inward prayer (prayer of the heart), so it emerges as a prayer of the spirit. The person does not so much offer a prayer as become a prayer. Practice of the prayer in time with breathing makes it a response of the whole person and eventually breathing and praying become synonymous, prayer arising without any conscious effort to pray. The repetition is not simply mechanical but an expression of the attitude of the heart. Thus although tranquillity and concentration may arise they are not the purpose, behind this is faith, faith in who Jesus is and what he is doing for the individual person.
In the tradition of hesychasm there is the one truly Christian initiation to the mysteries, although there is no specific rite of initiation. The repetition of the Jesus prayer as an exercice is warned against unless one has a spiritual master. If such a master is not to be found, then one must rely on books and cast one's self on the mercy of Christ as the source of instruction. This is a similar process to the Sufi [dhikr] or the Hindu [japa yoga]. Behaviour in the presence of the master or [geront] must be as though in the presence of Christ - but the geront is not initiator. Only Christ is the initiator and only His sacraments support the initiatic (as well as the exoteric) path. The ultimate purpose of spiritual endeavour is [deification], or the highest possibilities salvation can comprise.
Broader:
Prayer Related:
MantrasChantingMantra yoga