History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps HoP 323 - Through His Works You Shall Know Him - Palamas and Hesychasm
Apr 21, 2019
Dive into the significance of monastic traditions in Byzantine society, where spirituality and scholarship intertwined. Discover how monasteries preserved knowledge and nurtured artistic endeavors. Unpack the teachings of Gregory Palamas, who championed direct divine experience against rational thought. Explore the hesychast controversy, revealing the clash between mystical and philosophical perspectives on God's nature. This journey highlights key figures and the rich tapestry of ascetic devotion that shaped Byzantine culture.
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Simeon's Mystical Life
- Simeon the New Theologian, a monk on the Studion monastery, experienced mystical visions described as filling the space with light.
- He lived humbly, even sleeping in a small cupboard under the stairs, contrasting worldly aristocratic life with deep spirituality.
Essence of Hesychasm
- Hesychasm involves quiet devotion and bodily disciplines like breath control and fasting to aid prayer concentration.
- It adds spiritual weight to the monastic practice of unceasing prayer rooted in silence and restfulness.
God's Essence vs Energies
- Gregory Palamas distinguished between God's essence and energies, allowing believers to experience God through his activities.
- Mystics behold God's divine light not as essence but as inseparable and true divine activity.