Asceticism of the Mind: Forms of Attention and Self-transformation in Late Antique Monasticism PDF
Preview Asceticism of the Mind: Forms of Attention and Self-transformation in Late Antique Monasticism
Asceticism of the Mind Asceticism is founded on the possibility that human beings can profoundly trans- form themselves through training and discipline. In particular, asceticism in the Eastern monastic tradition is based on the assumption that individuals are not slaves to the habitual and automatic but can be improved by ascetic practice and, with the cooperation of divine grace, transform their entire character and culti- vate special powers and skills. Asceticism of the Mindexplores the strategies that enabled Christian ascetics in the Egyptian, Gazan, and Sinaitic monastic tradi- tions of late antiquity to cultivate a new form of existence. At the book’s center is a particular model of ascetic discipline that involves a systematic effort to train the mind and purify attention. Drawing on contemporary cognitive and neuro- scientific research, this study underscores the beneficial potential and self-for- mative role of the monastic system of mental training, thereby confuting older views that emphasized the negative and repressive aspects of asceticism. At the same time, it sheds new light on the challenges that Christian ascetics encoun- tered in their attempts to transform themselves, thereby lending insight into aspects of their daily lives that would otherwise remain inaccessible. Asceticism of the Mindbrings rigorously historical and cognitive perspectives into conjunction across a range of themes, and in so doing opens up new ways of exploring ascet- icism and Christian monasticism. By working across the traditional divide between the humanities and the cognitive sciences, it offers new possibilities for a constructive dialogue across these fields. ii | Preface Preface | iii studies and texts 213 Asceticism of the Mind Forms of Attention and Self-Transformation in Late Antique Monasticism INBAR GRAIVER Translated by hugh mcdonald with the collaborati of the author pontifical institute of mediaeval studies iv | Preface Acknowledgments The publication of this volume was made possible by funds generously provided by the Basilian Fathers of the University of St Michael’s College. Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Graiver, Inbar, author Asceticism of the mind : forms of attention and self-transformation in late antique monasti- cism / Inbar Graiver. (Studies and texts ; 213) Includes bibliographical references and index. Issued in print and electronic formats. ISBN 978-0-88844-213-0(hardcover).– ISBN 978-1-77110-394-7(PDF) 1. Asceticism– History– Early church, ca. 30–600. 2. Monastic and religious life– History – Early church, ca. 30–600. 3. Attention– Religious aspects– Christianity. 4. Awareness– Reli- gious aspects– Christianity. 5. Self-control– Religious aspects– Christianity. 6. Self– Religious aspects– Christianity. 7. Discipline– Religious aspects– Christianity. 8. Ascetics– Psychology. 9. Egypt– Church history– Primitive and early church, ca. 30–600. 10. Palestine– Church his- tory– Primitive and early church, ca. 30–600. I.Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, issuing body II.Title. III.Series:Studies and texts (Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies) ; 213 BV5023.G732018 248.4'7 C2018-902653-7 C2018-902654-5 © 2018 Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies 59Queen’s Park Crescent East Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2C4 www.pims.ca manufactured in canada Preface | v Contents Acknowledgments vii Abbreviations ix Introduction 1 CHAPTERONE The Ascetic Self 30 CHAPTERTWO Control of the Self 72 CHAPTERTHREE The Challenges of Attentiveness 96 CHAPTERFOUR The Besieged Mind 129 CHAPTERFIVE Removing the Blockage 163 Conclusion 188 Bibliography 198 Index 233 vi | Contents Preface | vii Acknowledgments This book is the product of several years of research and dialogue with my colleagues, teachers, and friends at Tel Aviv University. Of these, my greatest debt is to Youval Rotman, who served as an advisor for the dissertation on which this book is based. Without his criticism and encouragement, this book would not have been possible; without his seminar on asceticism, it would never have been conceived. I also owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Brian Stock, both for his belief in the importance of my research and for contributing to my intellectual development through his own publications. I am deeply grateful to Aryeh Kofsky for his wise advice and never-ending willingness to help. Many thanks go also to Aviad Kleinberg, not only for his help and support as head of The Zvi Yavetz School of Historical Studies at Tel Aviv University, but also for his unforgettable seminar on Augustine. I would also like to thank professors Benjamin Isaac, David Brakke, Andrew Crislip, Luther H. Martin, Yulia Ustinova, Lennard J. Davis, Jonathan Huppert, Gadi Algazi, Yosef Schwartz, Caroline Walker Bynum, Peregrine Horden, Yoram Bilu, Vered Saydon, Keren Arbel, and Rupert Dörflinger, all of whom helped me orient myself in the early stages of the work on this project. In addition, I would like to express my gratitude to the anonymous readers appointed by the Pontifi- cal Institute of Mediaeval Studies and to Fred Unwalla, Editor in Chief, for their priceless advice, from which this book benefited considerably.I also thank Ian Drummond for editing the manuscript for publication and Megan Jones for her diligent work on the index. Finally, I thank the Nathan Rotenstreich Foundation, whose financial support facilitated the research for this book. I am deeply thankful to my family, whose love and willingness to support me in whatever choice I make never ceases to amaze me. viii | Acknowledgments Acknowledgments | ix Abbreviations ANF Ante-Nicene Fathers Apophth. patr. Apophthegmata patrum (Sayings of the Desert Fathers) Apophth. patr. alph. Apophthegmata patrum, alphabetical collection Apophth. patr. sys. Apophthegmata patrum, systematic collection Apophth. patr. N Apophthegmata patrum, anonymous collection Coll. John Cassian, Collationes (Conferences) CS Cistercian Studies CSEL Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum CCL Corpus Christianorum, Series Latina CSCO Corpus Scriptorum Christianorum Orientalium DSAM Dictionnaire de spiritualité ascétique et mystique, doctrine et histoire, ed. Marcel Viller et al., 17vols (Paris: Beauch- esne, 1937–1995) GCS Griechischen christlichen Schriftsteller HL Palladius, Historia Lausiaca (The Lausiac History) HM Historia monachorum in Aegypto(History of the Monks in Egypt) Inst. John Cassian, Institutes JAAR Journal of the American Academy of Religion JAP Journal of Abnormal Psychology JECS Journal of Early Christian Studies JPSP Journal of Personality and Social Psychology JRS Journal of Roman Studies JTS Journal of Theological Studies KG Evagrius, Kephalaia gnostica NPNF Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers PG Patrologiae Cursus Completus, Series Graeca PL Patrologiae Cursus Completus, Series Latina PO Patrologia Orientalis Prat. John Moschus, Pratum spirituale (The Spiritual Meadow) Princ. Origen, De principiis (On First Principles)
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