Hesychasm

Catharsis or katharsis is from the Ancient Greek word , , meaning 'purification' or 'cleansing', commonly used to refer to the purification and purgation of thoughts and emotions by way of expressing them. The desired result is an emotional state of renewal and restoration.

Hesychasm () is a contemplative monastic tradition in the Eastern Christian traditions of the Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches in which stillness (hēsychia) is sought through uninterrupted Jesus prayer. While rooted in early Christian monasticism, it took its definitive form in the 14th century at Mount Athos.

short prayer, popular in Eastern Christianity: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

development of mystical practices and theory within Christianity

Christian devotional practice

in Eastern Christian theology, the transforming effect of divine grace

distinctive set of garments worn by members of a religious order

Item used in Christianity to assist prayer

Eastern Orthodox hymn to the Virgin Mary

series of six councils

A starets ( ; fem. ) is an elder of an Eastern Orthodox or Eastern Catholic monastery or convent who functions as venerated adviser and teacher. Elders or spiritual fathers are charismatic spiritual leaders whose wisdom stems from God as obtained from ascetic experience. It is believed that through ascetic struggle, prayer and hesychasm, the Holy Spirit bestows special gifts onto the elder including the ability to heal, prophesy, and most importantly, give effective spiritual guidance and direction. Elders are looked upon as being an inspiration to believers and an example of saintly virtue, s

Palamist doctrine of seeing God's light

Meditation by navel-gazing

thumb|upright|Palamas Palamism or the Palamite theology comprises the teachings of Saint Gregory Palamas (c. 1296 – 1359), whose writings defended the Eastern Orthodox practice of Hesychasm against the attack of Barlaam. Followers of Palamas are sometimes referred to as Palamites.

stages an Eastern Orthodox monk or nun passes through in their religious vocation

14th-century theological dispute in the Byzantine Empire