The Hesychast Tradition

The Hesychast Tradition is a Christian spiritual practice originating in Eastern Orthodoxy, emphasizing inner stillness, continual prayer, and silent contemplation to experience God's presence. Practitioners often focus on repetitive prayer, like the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me"), combined with controlled breathing and mental stillness. The goal is to cultivate inner peace and divine union through disciplined silence and attentiveness, often in monastic settings. This tradition values inner humility and the transformative power of prayer, aiming to deepen one’s relationship with God beyond words or external rituals.