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The Greek term hesychia (ἡσυχία, Greek pronunciation: [isiˈçia]) is a concept that can be translated as "stillness, rest, quiet, silence".
In Christianity
In the Eastern Orthodox Christian mystical tradition of hesychasm, hesychia refers to a state of stillness and peace that is obtained through extreme ascetical struggle, prayer, and the constant contemplation of God. The attainment of hesychia is a central theme discussed in hesychast literature.
Chapter 2 of the Systematic Sayings of the Desert Fathers is dedicated to the topic of hesychia.
In Neoplatonism
The term is also used in Neoplatonic texts such as the Enneads.
Other languages
Equivalent terms in other languages include Syriac shelya (šelya).
See also
Wikiquote has quotations related to hesychia.
- Monastic silence
- Apatheia
- Inner peace
- Tranquility
- Centering prayer
- Quietism (Christian philosophy)
- Christianity and Hellenistic philosophy
- Neoplatonism and Christianity
- Mauna (silence) in Hinduism
References
- ^ Parry, Ken (1999). The Blackwell Dictionary of Eastern Christianity. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing. p. 230. ISBN 0-631-23203-6.
- ^ Wortley, John (2012). The Book of the Elders – sayings of the Desert Fathers: the systematic collection. Trappist, KY; Collegeville, MN: Cistercian Publications Liturgical Press. ISBN 978-0-87907-201-8.
- ^ Gerson, Lloyd P., ed. (2018). The Enneads. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-00177-0. OCLC 993492241.
- ^ Brock, Sebastian (2020). "Stages in the Spiritual Life According to Isaac the Syrian and Syriac Tradition". Orthodox Theology in Dialogue. 6 (6). Mitropolia Olteniei: 85–95. ISSN 2668-5353. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
