This study presents the teachings on intrusive thoughts, otherwise known as logismoi, from the writings of St. Silouan the Athonite, perhaps the greatest saint of the 20th century. St. Silouan offers us grace-filled teaching on intrusive thoughts that come from his own personal struggle that he encountered as he strived to be in communion with God.
Chapter One of this study presents foundational teachings on intrusive thoughts, which include their definition, origin, and how they can stem from self-love. Chapter Two unpacks the meaning and importance of the Christian’s struggle against intrusive thoughts. Moreover, it explains that it is by embracing this struggle that we can repent and become like Christ. Chapter Three examines the connection between intrusive thoughts and the loss of grace as well as resulting consequences for the soul and body. Finally, Chapter Four presents the Orthodox therapeutic approach to overcoming intrusive thoughts through humility, which can be achieved by the practice of stillness and remembrance of one’s spiritual poverty.
While there are numerous Orthodox Patristic sources on intrusive thoughts, the present study will focus predominantly on the following primary source: St. Silouan the Athonite written by his disciple, St. Sophrony of Essex. Secondary sources will also be used to bring more clarity to the writings of St. Silouan, which will include St. Sophrony, the Fathers of the Philokalia, and certain modern theologians. Through the teachings of St. Silouan, which stem from his own personal experience, one will acquire knowledge of the unseen warfare against intrusive thoughts. Moreover, the findings presented in this study, when put into practice, will heal the ascetic of self-love by acquiring Christ-like humility, which brings deep peace to the heart.
This study presents the teachings on intrusive thoughts, otherwise known as logismoi, from the writings of St. Silouan the Athonite, perhaps the greatest saint of the 20th century. St. Silouan offers us grace-filled teaching on intrusive thoughts that come from his own personal struggle that he encountered as he strived to be in communion with God.
Chapter One of this study presents foundational teachings on intrusive thoughts, which include their definition, origin, and how they can stem from self-love. Chapter Two unpacks the meaning and importance of the Christian’s struggle against intrusive thoughts. Moreover, it explains that it is by embracing this struggle that we can repent and become like Christ. Chapter Three examines the connection between intrusive thoughts and the loss of grace as well as resulting consequences for the soul and body. Finally, Chapter Four presents the Orthodox therapeutic approach to overcoming intrusive thoughts through humility, which can be achieved by the practice of stillness and remembrance of one’s spiritual poverty.
While there are numerous Orthodox Patristic sources on intrusive thoughts, the present study will focus predominantly on the following primary source: St. Silouan the Athonite written by his disciple, St. Sophrony of Essex. Secondary sources will also be used to bring more clarity to the writings of St. Silouan, which will include St. Sophrony, the Fathers of the Philokalia, and certain modern theologians. Through the teachings of St. Silouan, which stem from his own personal experience, one will acquire knowledge of the unseen warfare against intrusive thoughts. Moreover, the findings presented in this study, when put into practice, will heal the ascetic of self-love by acquiring Christ-like humility, which brings deep peace to the heart.
