Philokalia, The Way of a Pilgrim or introductions?

Milkman
Milkman Member Posts: 4,880 ✭✭✭
edited November 2024 in English Forum

I'd like to begin reading the Philokalia (vols 1-5). However, I know very little about it. Kallistos Ware in the introduction to the book, The Philokalia: A Classic Text of Orthodox Spirituality, says,

"There is also no indication which writings are best suited for "beginners" and which should be reserved for the more experienced." page 19. 

It's probably a smart thing to begin with some kind of introductory resources, but of the ones I have, both in Logos and Kindle, I'm not exactly sure where to begin.

If someone would direct this neophyte in the "right" direction to get a good footing before I take on the Philokalia, that would be much appreciated.

Here are the books that I have relating to the Philokalia.

The Way of a Pilgrim: The Jesus Prayer Journey-Annotated & Explained. Gleb Pokrovsky

The Way of a Pilgrim: and the Pilgrim Continues his Way. R.M. French

Philokalia The Eastern Christian Spiritual Texts Annotation by Allyne Smith 

On the Prayer of Jesus. Bishop Ignatius Brianchaninov

The Philokalia: A Classic Text of Orthodox Spirituality. Bingaman and Nassif (eds)

The Philokalia - The Complete Text (Vols 1-5) (Kindle)

Philokalia - The Bible of Orthodox Spirituality. (Kindle) Anthony M. Coniaris

mm.

Comments

  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 55,166
    1. Absolutely read The Way of the Pilgrim first, maybe multiple times - the subsequent volume is less important. I knew a Buddhist teacher who included this in his initial reading list for Western students along with The Little Prince.
    2. I would normally say to next read the Art of Prayer which is excerpts from the Philokalia but On the Prayer of Jesus. Bishop Ignatius Brianchaninov will serve as a substitute
    3. Philokalia - The Bible of Orthodox Spirituality. (Kindle) Anthony M. Coniaris will give you a final orientation. He is an excellent, lay-friendly theologian
    4. The Philokalia - The Complete Text (Vols 1-5) (Kindle) read in order ... the excerpts progress in difficulty. Read slowly, never more than one excerpt per day. Reread articles you think you didn't understand before moving forward.

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • Rosie Perera
    Rosie Perera Member Posts: 26,194 ✭✭✭✭✭
    https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1302589#Comment_1302589

    MJ. Smith said:

    1. Absolutely read The Way of the Pilgrim first, maybe multiple times - the subsequent volume is less important. I knew a Buddhist teacher who included this in his initial reading list for Western students along with The Little Prince.
    2. I would normally say to next read the Art of Prayer which is excerpts from the Philokalia but On the Prayer of Jesus. Bishop Ignatius Brianchaninov will serve as a substitute
    3. Philokalia - The Bible of Orthodox Spirituality. (Kindle) Anthony M. Coniaris will give you a final orientation. He is an excellent, lay-friendly theologian
    4. The Philokalia - The Complete Text (Vols 1-5) (Kindle) read in order ... the excerpts progress in difficulty. Read slowly, never more than one excerpt per day. Reread articles you think you didn't understand before moving forward.

    Thank you, Martha. This is very helpful!

  • Milkman
    Milkman Member Posts: 4,880 ✭✭✭
    https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1302589#Comment_1302589

    I was hoping you would chime in. You never disappoint.

    Thanks, that's all I need.

    MJ. Smith said:

    1. Absolutely read The Way of the Pilgrim first, maybe multiple times - the subsequent volume is less important. I knew a Buddhist teacher who included this in his initial reading list for Western students along with The Little Prince.
    2. I would normally say to next read the Art of Prayer which is excerpts from the Philokalia but On the Prayer of Jesus. Bishop Ignatius Brianchaninov will serve as a substitute
    3. Philokalia - The Bible of Orthodox Spirituality. (Kindle) Anthony M. Coniaris will give you a final orientation. He is an excellent, lay-friendly theologian
    4. The Philokalia - The Complete Text (Vols 1-5) (Kindle) read in order ... the excerpts progress in difficulty. Read slowly, never more than one excerpt per day. Reread articles you think you didn't understand before moving forward.

  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 55,166
    https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1302599#Comment_1302599

    Milkman said:

    I was hoping you would chime in. You never disappoint.

    I first read these books (or equivalents) 54 years ago when "everyone" in my circle considered them essential reading - some because of Chogyam Trungpa (I was later friends with the Yugoslavian woman who had introduced him to them.) Why do I remember when I read them? I was on maternity leave. [:)] I hope you value them as much as I do.

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • Milkman
    Milkman Member Posts: 4,880 ✭✭✭
    https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1302601#Comment_1302601

    Just searching for 'Chogyam Trungpa' brings up a ton of information. Quite the man! Did you study under him? He seems to have a lot of writings available. The website Choguam Trungpa Institute (which I'm sure you're quite familiar with ) has quite a bit of information. I'll have to dwell there a bit.

    Thanks again and I'll let you know how I'm progressing...

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