Orthodox spiritual tradition values silence, attentiveness, and stillness. The Greek word hesychia can refer to inner quiet in which a person becomes more attentive to God.
Is silence the same as having no thoughts? Not necessarily. Christian stillness is not a technique for making the mind blank; it is an effort to turn attention toward God with humility and sobriety.
Can silence accompany the Jesus Prayer? Yes. Repetition of the Jesus Prayer can be joined with quiet attention, but advanced methods described in monastic literature should not be treated as self-help techniques detached from spiritual guidance.
Why is silence difficult? Modern life continually competes for attention. Even a short period without media, conversation, or tasks can reveal how restless the mind has become.
The broader use of the Jesus Prayer is explained in What Is the Jesus Prayer?.
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Established with the blessing of V. Rev. Fr. Wiaczeslaw, Rector of Orthodox Christian Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Lord (NY). |
