Meditations on the Soul's Ascent from the Desert Fathers and Other Early Christian Contemplatives.
Here is an inspirational collection of writings for those who wish to climb the higher paths of mystical knowledge. 'The Book Of Mystical Chapters' contains 300 short meditations by Christian contemplatives from the 4th to the 11th centuries.
The book features many selections from the Desert Fathers, the legendary monks who fled the decadence of city life to dedicate themselves to the life of the spirit. These celebrated figures became experienced guides of the spiritual path, experts in mapping the stages of spiritual development, and they taught and corresponded with disciples from all over the Christian world.
The meditations are arranged as a program of study under three traditional headings, designed to mirror the ascent of the searching soul:
1. Practice, geared primarily at developing the beginner's sustained attention and discipline.
2. Theory, presenting guidance in overcoming common obstacles encountered in more advanced spiritual practice.
3. Gnosis, reflections for the enlightened on the particular kind of knowledge that arises from spiritual practice.
Professor and priest John McGuckin brings scholarly and spiritual authority to bear in these beautiful original translations. From the 'Philokalia' to Origen to Symeon the New Theologian, these ancient voices speak knowingly of matters of the soul.
