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Author Topic: The Philokalia  (Read 1551 times)

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Offline Sir Sundae

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The Philokalia
« on: May 08, 2005, 07:19:39 PM »
Greetings in Christ,

Okay, I have heard it said that one should not read the Philokalia without a spiritual guide. Well, I'm not Orthodox, I don't have a spiritual guide/father, but I do own and read a copy of Volume I of the Philokalia. Am I in serious error here? I find the writings contained in the Philokalia to be very edifying. It provides practical insights that I can integrate into my day-to-day living... But I don't want to be getting into something that's too spiritually deep for someone.

Thanks,

Chuck
« Last Edit: May 08, 2005, 07:20:13 PM by Sir Sundae »
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Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain:

"Let us not expect the spiritual spring if we don't first pass through the spiritual winter during which the spiritual vermin die.  We mustn't expect the divine to blossom within us if the human hasn't first died."

Online Asteriktos

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Re: The Philokalia
« Reply #1 on: May 08, 2005, 08:24:13 PM »
I think the major problem is in trying to go beyond your limits. People warn not to read the Philokalia, but the same could just as easily be said about the Sayings of the Desert Fathers, or even the Scripture. The point is that there is tough stuff in there, and left to our own devices we might misunderstand or misapply these things. What you could try is to talk to some Orthodox people you know online, and try to locate a priest that you can contact and ask advice from. If you're interested I can PM you the name of a priest or two that I have a lot of respect for, pastorally speaking.
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"as [you've] informed us that respect chills love, it is natural to conclude that all your pretty flights arise from your pampered sensibility; and that, vain of this fancied preeminence of organs, you foster every emotion till the fumes, mounting to your brain, dispel the sober suggestions of reason. It is not in this view surprising that when you should argue you become impassioned, and that reflection inflames your imagination instead of enlightening your understanding." - Mary Wollstonecraft

Offline Sir Sundae

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Re: The Philokalia
« Reply #2 on: May 08, 2005, 08:36:24 PM »
Quote from: Paradosis
I think the major problem is in trying to go beyond your limits. People warn not to read the Philokalia, but the same could just as easily be said about the Sayings of the Desert Fathers, or even the Scripture. The point is that there is tough stuff in there, and left to our own devices we might misunderstand or misapply these things.

That makes alot of sense. We need humility when we read this stuff. That definitely clears up the issue a bit.

Quote from: Paradosis
If you're interested I can PM you the name of a priest or two that I have a lot of respect for, pastorally speaking.

That would be a great help Paradosis. Feel free to PM me anytime.

« Last Edit: May 08, 2005, 08:43:57 PM by Sir Sundae »
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Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain:

"Let us not expect the spiritual spring if we don't first pass through the spiritual winter during which the spiritual vermin die.  We mustn't expect the divine to blossom within us if the human hasn't first died."
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