Vitae monasticae institutio

Of the Great Athanasius, a Rule for Those Who Wish to Live in Hesychia. Such is the monk, and thus must the monk be, abstaining from earthly matters. Moreover, he must be a soldier of Christ, immaterial, free from care, outside every practical thought and action. In these things let the monk be, especially he who has abandoned all the matter of this world. And toward the beautiful beauties of hesychia, the askesis is sweet, the life is pleasant, the practice is delightful. Do you therefore wish, beloved, to take up the solitary life and to run to the ways of hesychia? Leave there the world and the cares of the world, as well as the offices and authorities over these things; that is, be alone, immaterial, passionless, outside every desire, so that, having become alien to the distraction from these things, you may be able to hesychazein well. For unless one lifts himself out of these, he would not be able to accomplish this way of life. Hold to few and contemptible foods, not many and easily procured, or rather, not procured at all. But if a thought arises concerning costly things for the sake of hospitality, leave that thought there; do not be persuaded by it at all. For the enemy lies in wait for you through this, to draw you away from hesychia. See that you do not desire to have wealth for distribution to the poor; for a good word is better than a gift. For this too is a deception of the evil one, often for vainglory and casting the mind into a cause of meddlesomeness. Concerning garments, do not desire to have many garments; but provide only those sufficient for the need of the body. If there is need of food or garments, do not be ashamed to take what is offered to you by others.

for this is a form of pride. But if you yourself have an abundance in these things, give to the one in need; for God wishes his own children to be managed in this way. Having what is necessary for the present time, do not be anxious about the future time, such as for a day, or a week, or a month of the present time; the time itself will supply what is necessary. But rather seek especially the kingdom of heaven. Always take thought for your own benefit, and cultivate the way of hesychia. Do not love to dwell with material and distracted men; either dwell alone, or with immaterial and like-minded men; for he who dwells with material and distracted men will surely share in their distraction, and will serve human commands, vain talk, and all other terrible things: anger, grief, madness for material things, fear of scandals, parental cares, familial affections. But rather decline association with them, lest they ever destroy you from hesychia in the cell, and lead you into their own distractions. And if the cell in which you sit is much distracted, flee, and spare not even it, lest you be drawn into love for it. Do everything, act in every way, so that you may be able to be in hesychia, and to have leisure, and to strive to be in the wills of God, and in the struggle against the unseen. If you cannot easily be in hesychia in your own region, give your intention to sojourn in a foreign land, and hasten your reasoning toward this; become like an excellent merchant, testing everything for hesychia, and what is quiet and useful for it.

But I tell you, love exile; for it frees you from the circumstances of your own country and causes you to enjoy only the benefit of quietude. Flee from sojourns in the city, and persevere in the desert, if possible entirely. Do not go into the city; for you will see nothing useful, nothing beneficial to your way of life there. Do not be afraid of their noise, nor be terrified; do not flee the arena of your own benefit. Endure fearlessly, and you will see the greatness of God, the entire assurance for salvation. If you have friends, flee from their constant meetings; for by meeting with them only after a long interval you will be welcome. But if you perceive that through these very meetings harm is coming to you, do not approach at all; for you must have friends who are helpful and who assist your way of life. Flee from the company of wicked and contentious men; do not live with any of them; but also renounce their base intentions. Let peaceful brothers and holy spiritual fathers be your friends. Do not dwell with those who are distracted, nor hold a banquet with them; lest they ever draw you into their own deceptions and lead you away from the discipline of quietude. But if one of those who walk in the love of God comes to you and invites you to eat, and you wish to go, go, but quickly return to your cell. If possible, do not sleep outside your cell; so that the grace of quietude may remain with you always, and you will have an unimpeded observance of your purpose in it. Do not become a desirer of fine foods; for a soul that lives luxuriously is dead while living.

Do not satisfy your belly with various foods, lest a desire for them arise in you, and it instills in you a longing for the table. For it is said, do not be deceived by the filling of the belly. And if you see yourself being repeatedly called outside your cell, decline. Constant tarrying outside your cell is harmful; it removes grace, darkens the mind, and withers desire.