Hesychasm
Hesychasm is a mystical tradition of experiential prayer in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
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2 The Hesychastic Prayer 3 Hesychastic centres of prayer 4 References 5 See also 6 External link |
Gregory Palamas: Defender of Hesychasm
It was defended theologically by Gregory Palamas at about three separate Hesychast Synods in Constantinople in the 1340s; he was asked to by his fellow monks on Mt. Athos to defend it from the attacks of Barlaam of Calabria, who advocated a more intellectual approach to prayer. Hesychasm is described in great detail in the Philokalia, a compilation of what various Eastern Orthodox saints wrote about prayer.
The Hesychastic Prayer
In practice, the Hesychastic prayer bears some resemblance to mystical prayer or meditation in Eastern religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, compare with Yoga).
For example, it may involve specific body postures, and be accompanied by very deliberate breathing patterns. It involves acquiring an inner stillness, ignoring the physical senses. The hesychasts interpreted Christ's injunction in the Gospel of Matthew to "go into your closet to pray", to mean that they should ignore sensory input and withdraw inwards to pray. It often includes many repetitions of the Jesus Prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." but usually without the last two phrases. Compare with Mantra.
Hesychastic centres of prayer
the centres of prayer were points of concentration or meditation on the body, used during the hesychastic prayer. Compare with the Tantric chakras and similar doctrines in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana).
Four centres were specified (source: Kheper.net article):
- Cerebrofrontal centre: Positioned between the eyebrows (compare with Ajna).
- Buccolaryngeal centre.
- Pectoral centre: Positioned in the upper and median region of the chest.
- Cardiac centre: Positioned near the upper part of the heart (compare with Anahata).
References
- The Philokalia (four volumes)
- The Way of the Pilgrim