Philokalia, The Eastern Christian Spiritual Texts

Philokalia, The Eastern Christian Spiritual Texts

Book review

I choose to look into Philokalia, The Eastern Christian Spiritual Texts which is a very confusing topic to simply settle right down into. First to start off one must know that this book is not a stand alone book but rather it is a guide in order to understand another book, that being the Philokalia. The Philokalia, is a book filled with spiritual writing of the Eastern saints to help those grow in spirituality. 

Thus in order to start one must first understand what the Philokalia is. "The Philokalia'’s texts are intended as a guide to mystical prayer for monks, and they emphasize the stages of inner prayer leading to theosis (“deification”), including the use of the Jesus Prayer emphasized by Byzantine Hesychasts." [1] For those who are not familiar with the Jesus Prayer it goes as such, "Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me a sinner" this is a prayer that is very important to the orthodox church just as the Hail Mary, Glory Be and the Our Father are to the western church. Thus understanding that one can begin to use Cook's book to help one understand the complexity of the The Philokalia. 

One of the most important things that Cook reveals through his book what “hostile pleasures" are. These pleasures are what is seen to be things that are sources of great temptation for the person that may also have external demonic forces that work to tempt the mind into giving into these pleasures. This is important to understand as one my believe that “hostile pleasures" may be things that are hurtful towards the body and not things that fully damage the soul. This is one of the reasons why people should turn toward's Cook's book first as a guide before reading the Philokalia, as the English translation leaves much up to interpretation which can leave great room for spiritual error that will cause harm instead of growth.

However there is a great warning that should be listened to by any person who desires to pick up and read the Philokalia. The book is not a book that can be read cover to cover nor is it something that can be read without guidance. This is the case with all books dealing with spirituality as they deal with forming one's spiritual life which means that these said books are not for everyone. For example the closest works from the western church that mirror the Philokalia is the works of  St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila. The works of these western saints are not for beginners to start to form a spiritual life and may even damage people who seek to use there works as such. "St. Teresa stresses repeatedly that John wrote for a specific audience—those already engaged in a serious spiritual search—and that, because he never expected his writings to be published, he wrote with a freedom that most other authors did not enjoy." [2] Thus one must seek proper guidance in order to use the  Philokalia to grow Spiritually.

 This is the most important aspect of Cook's book as it allows for those who seek to tackle the  Philokalia have a greater understand of the work. However just Cook's book alone will not suffice, just as any other commentary can not prepare any person for another spiritual work especial one as complex as the Philokalia. It is very important to seek out a spiritual director if one wishes to tackle the  Philokalia in full and not just any spiritual director but one that is familiar with the eastern church's spirituality. All of this is recommended by the English bishop of the eastern orthodox church Metropolitan Kallistos. [3]

I do not wish to further anyone away from useing the Philokalia in order to advance his or her spiritual life. I only desire to warn those who would try to go into it blind and become complexly lost in the complexity of the book and end up hurting his or her own self. Thus one should seek out a spiritual director before doing so as well as use Cook's book as a guide for this was the advice given by  Metropolitan Kallistos who is very well versed on the  Philokalia. [4]   

[1] Abrahamse, Dorothy deF. 2013. “The Philokalia and the Inner Life: On Passions and Prayer.” Church History 82  

[2] Rappaport, Pamela Kirk. 2004. “St John of the Cross: Songs in the Night.” Theological Studies 65
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4qtQ6AUrRE
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4qtQ6AUrRE