www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Hesychasm versus Quietism how do they differ?

What did the quietists believe? Who were Michael de Molinos and Madame Guyon and how did their beliefs differ? also how did their beliefs differ from Hesychasm? Were the quietists opposed to prayer? did they oppose all activity including noetic prayer?

It is my understanding that Hesychasm focuses on unblocking the nous (inner eye?) through praying the Jesus prayer. Eventually mental prayer gives way to noetic prayer.

Dear St Herman,

It is true that the RC West has sometimes tended to equate Hesychasm with Quietism - and this comes from a fundamental misunderstanding between the two spiritualities.

Quietism, an heretical perspective, tended to disparage active effort in the spiritual life, including communal spiritual struggle.

Hesychasm is all about spiritual struggle and internal labour through the Jesus Prayer and asceticism to become an empty vessel into which may be poured the Divinizing Grace of the Holy Spirit.

Although the element of passivity has its role to play, it is about the surrender of one's sinful passions to the calming effect of the transfiguring participation in the uncreated Energies of God.

Alex

Dear St. Herman, Igumen Chariton of Valaam reminds us there are three main degrees of prayer, namely oral/bodily prayer; prayer of the mind; and prayer of the heart (sometimes referred to as prayer of the mind in the heart) which is spiritual prayer.

Quietism is actualy opposed to this idea of degrees of prayer and path towards theosis present in hesychasm.