A Monastery in the Egyptian Desert

The headwaters of the Christian contemplative and mystical tradition aside from the Bible, of course is the wisdom of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, hermits and early monks and nuns who lived in the deserts of Egypt, Palestine and Syrian in the third and fourth centuries.

A literature of stories, parables, wisdom teachings, biographies, and even travelogues grew up around the lives and sayings of the Desert dwellers, giving us valuable insight into early Christian understandings of community, prayer, devotion, holiness, meditation, and even contemplation.

While none of the Desert Fathers orMothers appear to have the kind of profound mystical life such as Julian of Norwich or Teresa of vila, their down-to-earth (and often quite funny) wisdom remains surprisingly relevant for seekers of deeper intimacy with God, even now in the third millennium.

Many books are available that collect the sayings of the Desert elders, or that interpret their spirituality for 21st-century Christians.Here are seven that I have found the most useful for my own learning and spiritual formation:

Desert Christians

Desert Christians by William Harmless far and away the best book Ive ever readabout the Desert Fathers and Mothers and the world they lived in. Harmless provides excellent, and accessible, historical background and detailed description of their lives, their circumstances, and the personalities of the most renowned of the Desert elders.

The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

The Sayings of the Desert Fathers translated by Benedicta Ward sayings and words (brief wisdom teachings) of over 100 Desert Fathers and Mothers are anthologized in this collection, arranged alphabetically according to the subjects Greek name. An excellent way to get to know the personalities of the various figures, such as John the Dwarf and Amma (Mother) Syncletica.

The Praktikos & Chapters on Prayer

The Praktikos & Chapters on Prayer byEvagrius Ponticus unlike many of the Desert elders, Evagrius was well-educated, and so brings a philosophical and theological sophistication to his writings. This collection of two of his most important works show just how deeply contemplative the Desert elders were, lauding silence and self-forgetfulnessas key elements of mature prayer.

Read these seven books and you will have a rich and nuanced overview of the history, wisdom, and spirituality of the Desert. Enjoy!

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Seven Essential Books on the Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers - Patheos (blog)