Hesychasm

[Nick Moser]

Hesychasm is a mystical tradition of contemplative prayer in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Based on Jesus's injunction in the Gospel of Matthew that "when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray". Hesychasm may involve specific body postures, and may be accompanied by deliberate breathing exercises. It involves acquiring an "inner stillness," ignoring the senses. The hesychasts interpreted Christ's injunction in the Gospel of Matthew to "go into your closet to pray" to mean that they should move beyond the senses and withdraw inwards to pray. Hesychasm often includes repeating the Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me [a sinner]".


So How do I perform this type of prayer

 

[Senkaku]

I am not orthodox but have tried this and can attest to it making a difference in prayer time. I felt a renewed drive to pray when doing this and it can convert easily to "praying without ceasing" when combined with breathing, since every breath in and out is a prayer. I also felt more immersed in prayer while doing this, I recommend it for anyone who is looking to make an effective change in their prayer life.

 

[ArmyMatt]

go to your local Orthodox priest and talk to him,

 

[WadeTheophan]

Hesychasm is a mystical tradition of contemplative prayer in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Based on Jesus's injunction in the Gospel of Matthew that "when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray". Hesychasm may involve specific body postures, and may be accompanied by deliberate breathing exercises. It involves acquiring an "inner stillness," ignoring the senses. The hesychasts interpreted Christ's injunction in the Gospel of Matthew to "go into your closet to pray" to mean that they should move beyond the senses and withdraw inwards to pray. Hesychasm often includes repeating the Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me [a sinner]".


So How do I perform this type of prayer

Keep in mind that, as a priest once told me, man has two cognitive centers, mind and heart(called assorted other names). This kind of prayer is praying with your heart instead of just your mind. Some of the saints have said that “You are not truly praying until your mind descends into your heart”. Be forewarned though while praying this way is incredible it also has some cost. You will probably find yourself feeling like you just crawled out of a gooey mud puddle and are walking among the saints who are adorned in the purest white robes. You will be exposing yourself in a very real way to our God who is all pure loving and compassionate. Part of you will want to run away because you aren’t worthy and part of you will want fall at His feet and never let go.

 

[~Anastasia~]

go to your local Orthodox priest and talk to him,

This ^ is SO important, it can't be stressed enough.

PLEASE don't read a book (or bunch of books) and then try to do it on your own.

There can be very real spiritual dangers which are serious enough a person might not recover from them.

And I would also agree there is a great cost.

I'm not saying don't do it. I'm saying don't do it on a whim.

 

[~Anastasia~]

This ^ is SO important, it can't be stressed enough.

PLEASE don't read a book (or bunch of books) and then try to do it on your own.

There can be very real spiritual dangers which are serious enough a person might not recover from them.

And I would also agree there is a great cost.

I'm not saying don't do it. I'm saying don't do it on a whim.

(By the way, I edited my post from saying "this, this, a thousand times this". I received a pm where a member thought I was expressing frustration from having to answer the same questions over and over - and thst wasn't what I meant st all! I'll try not to use that expression again. I don't want anyone thinking I'm frustrated with them. I merely wanted to emphasize how important Fr. Matt's instructions were.)

 

[☦Marius☦]

I heard this kind of prayer was for those already practicing extreme asceticism. You might want to be careful. Like others recommend talk to your priest.