Practices

Disciplines of prayer, watchfulness, and inner transformation

Breath and Prayer

Intermediate

When the body joins the prayer

For all practitioners

Gregory of Sinai, Nikiphoros the Monk, the Xanthopouloi...

Controlling Speech

Beginner

The outer gate of the inner life

For all practitioners

Peter of Damaskos, John Klimakos

Cutting Off Thoughts

Intermediate

The decisive moment at the gate of the heart

For all practitioners

Hesychios, Evagrius, the Desert Fathers

Discernment of Thoughts

Intermediate

Learning to read the weather of your inner life

For all practitioners

Evagrius, John Cassian, Maximos the Confessor...

Fasting

Beginner

The body's prayer

For all practitioners

Eastern Christian

Guarding the Heart

Intermediate

Protecting the inner sanctuary

For all practitioners

Eastern Christian / Hesychast

Inner Attention

Beginner

Turning the gaze within

For all practitioners

Eastern Christian / Hesychast

The Jesus Prayer

Beginner

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me

For all practitioners

Eastern Christian / Hesychast

Mental Rebuke

Intermediate

Speaking back to the thought

For all practitioners

Evagrius, the Desert Fathers, Hesychios

Obedience

Beginner

The willingness to be taught by someone who has walked the path before you

For all practitioners

John Cassian, John Klimakos, Peter of Damaskos

Prostrations

Beginner

The body bowing before mystery

For all practitioners

Eastern Christian

Remembrance of Death

Intermediate

The practice that makes every moment count

For all practitioners

Universal across the Philokalia

Remembrance of God

Advanced

Keeping the awareness alive throughout the day

For all practitioners

Universal, Diadochos of Photiki, Hesychios...

Self-Examination

Beginner

The practice of honest seeing at the end of the day

For all practitioners

Evagrius, John Klimakos, the Xanthopouloi...

Spiritual Reading

Beginner

The practice of reading with the heart

For all practitioners

Universal across the Philokalia

Stillness

Intermediate

The art of creative silence

For all practitioners

Eastern Christian / Hesychast

Strategic Silence

Intermediate

Choosing not to respond

For all practitioners

Desert Fathers, the Philokalia tradition

Tears and Compunction

Advanced

When the heart softens enough to feel

For all practitioners

John Klimakos, Isaac of Syria, Gregory of Sinai...

Vigils

Advanced

The hours of sacred darkness

For all practitioners

Eastern Christian / Hesychast

Watchfulness

Intermediate

The sentinel at the gate of the heart

For all practitioners

Eastern Christian / Hesychast