Eastern Christianity and Meditation

Eastern Orthodox Christianity offers several meditation practices, including contemplation of sins, the Jesus prayer, hesychasm, and contemplation of Divine Light. The contemplation of God's uncreated Light is especially significant because it relates to theosis, the human capacity to seek and achieve divinization. This concept is not only an individual spiritual goal but also a central theological idea in Eastern Christianity. The chapter concludes by examining current interest in these meditation practices within the tradition.

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Abstract

Abstract Eastern Orthodox Christianity has developed a wide variety of theories and practices of meditation. Among these, this chapter covers the contemplation of sins, the recitation of the Jesus prayer, hesychasm, and the contemplation of Divine Light. This latter form of meditation, where God’s uncreated Light is revealed to the individual, is particularly important in the Eastern Christian tradition, as it is linked to theosis, the human capacity to seek and reach divinization. This is not only important as an individual goal but also a key theological notion in Eastern Christianity. The chapter ends by considering the present interest in meditation practices within this tradition.