I saw this new Forum and I thought that I'd throw in for the first book The Way of the Pilgrim & The Pilgrim Continues His Way from New Sarov Press. I got it from Archangels Books in St. Louis: http://www.archangelsbooks.com/

I picked it up to read last night and got up to the third chapter of the first section. I was amazed, I can't even describe how much impact the little I've read has made on me.

I especially liked the parts where the Officer of the Army and the Pilgrim discuss how addictions can be broken.

And the comparison of those who serve God out of fear of Hell as slaves. And those who serve God out of gains they think they'll get in Heaven as mercenaries. When neither is the correct attitude.

I don't know what else to put in here. I really loved the book!!! I guess I'm like the woman in the book club who actually read the book instead of looking for an excuse to drink on Tuesday nights!!!

Dr Eric,

This was the first book I ever read on Orthodox spirituality. I first encountered the text in High School when my father took me on a retreat at the Abbey of Gethsemani in KY (the former home of Thomas Merton). I picked up a copy of the text in the retreat center library, and have never been the same since.

I have read it several times since then, and it is a text to which I personally return every few years - reading it is very much like a spiritual retreat.

A good friend of mine, to whom I gave a copy of this text, read it and said it reminded him of his prayer life as a youth. It was so refreshing to return to that original simplicity and joy through the account of the pilgrim.

I believe that St. Anthony Messenger Press has a version with a study guide for groups. It may be worth looking at.

God bless,

Gordo

As I was reading it last night, I swear I smelled incense!!! Was the book in storage near a pile of incense? I don't know. But when I put it to my nose, the book doesn't smell like incense, it smells like paper! What gives???

After reading it you want to become incense!

I've actually written a song based on "The Way of a Pilgrim". It is played on guitar and has a certain feel like an Alison Kraus and Union Station kind of song. It's called, "It's Like Air"

Just thought I'd share...

Gordo

Gordo,

I like that. Now you'll have to send me the music!

Dr. Eric
Guitarist/singer for the past 17 years

I also enjoyed the part where the Pilgrim met a Pole who told him the Jesus Prayer was New Age mumbo jumbo from India and Asia.

The Pilgrim corrected him in saying that the Indians and the Asians learned the mechanics of the Jesus Prayer and turned it into their pagan practices.

I will have to tell Barbara, my friend who was an ROCOR nun in the Holy Land until she got parasites. We met at the acupuncture class I'm taking and she is slipping into New Age stuff I fear. She compared the Jesus Prayer to a mantra.

I hope I have convinced her otherwise.

This book is a key introduction, in a very readible prose rendering, of the Jesus Prayer. Not only of the Jesus Prayer, but of the whole meaning of the idea of strannik, pilgrim, in its unique manifestation of Rus'. I would consider it a must read for any Eastern Christian.

My wife and I read this book together several times, and I recommend it to anyone wanting to grow deeper into the Jesus Prayer. It is a classic indeed. The version with the forward by Walter Ciszek is very good.

It is most certainly not a mantra, as a mantra tends toward nothingness. The Jesus Prayer is the opposite, as it brings us towards Infinite Life one breath at a time.
FDD

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!

Dr. Eric, thank you so much for starting this topic. I also highly recommend 'The Way of a Pilgrim'. In addition to teaching basic disciplines regarding the Jesus Prayer, this book goes even further to discuss topics such as Heyschism [the discussion reminded me of similarities to rabbis discussing theological points in the Talmud], and a wonderful introduction to the Philokalia. The Philokalia is discussed so frequently that I now feel that too is a "must read".

I appreciate the writing style in the translation by Helen Bacovcin [ it includes the forward by Walter Ciszek]. It is simple, step by step and yet, so deeply spiritual. This is the second time I have read it from cover to cover and I cannot wait to read it again!

In Christ,

Michael

The Pilgrim's spiritual father brings out a very important point - the Philokalia is not meant to be read starting with the first author of the first volume and read in sequence. Not at all, and it actually should not be read that way.

He gives a very good general idea of the order of how to read it in the Way.

Yes, thank you Michael, it was Helen Bacovcin's. I have read both hers and the French edition (name, not language) and I prefer Bacovcin's.
FDD

Excellent topic, Dr. Eric. "The Way of the Pilgrim" is a basic and favorite and powerful introduction to Eastern Christian spirituality. "The Pilgrim Continues His Way" is a good introductory commentary on Eastern Christian spirituality. Especially noteworthy is "A Confession which Leads the Inward Man to Humility." It's on pages 140 - 144 in the New Sarov Press edition, and it is very accurately named. It has been a while since I have taken this book off of my shelf. I took it off the shelf after I read this thread and your holy astonishment at sections of the book which I remember reading and being astonished at too. Thank you. May that book and the Jesus Prayer help you develop more deeply in joyful union with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and unto the Father.

-- John

I loved both of these books, they are amazing. I get lost in time, I can imagine being there and what it must have been like in that search. Then when he would finally find receive more understanding - it is like, yeah that happens for us too.

The Philokalia I can only read in bits. I don't think I have ever found any certain way of reading it. I guess if I did that it would not allow me to receive what I needed at that point. Kind of like - thanks God but I will do it my way - instead of oh Lord what do you have for me today in this book.

I think the 'instead of way' works best. But, then I am just a wife and mom, no theological training, just getting what God has for me for that moment or day. Heaven knows my mind can't grasp the debth and breadth of what he has given to so many. And following the work of the Pilgrim, brings about that oneness of time, place, and God's continual love for mankind no matter where we are in life.