 Hesychast Monasticism, was centered around solitary living (hermitism), and charity, giving away all one's possessions to the poor and of retiring inward by ceasing to register the senses, in order to achieve an experiential knowledge of God.
The hesychastic method of prayer consists of regulating one's breathing with the recitation of the "Jesus prayer": "O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." The prayer is repeated constantly until it descends from the lips and minds into one's heart. At the end of the process, the peace of Christ is poured into the heart of the worshipper, and the light itself of Christ shines upon him and around him. This light, as that of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ, may also be seen by our physical eyes. |
Hesychast Hermitage
