Way of the Ascetics: The Ancient Tradition of Discipline and Inner Growth

Really good book.

It's really wonderful to read a chapter each Day and think about it. Each chapter is really dense and conveys some great Orthodox concept.

Walk in to any book store in the U.S. or Canada and you will be deluged with a plethora of books and magazines on almost every spiritual path known to humanity; there are so many great titles on subjects ranging from Tibetan Buddhism, yoga and the Kabbalah. But one area of our collective spiritual heritage that is often conspicuously absent is writings on and from the western, specifically Christian, monastic tradition. There are a number of good books out there, but this one is truly excellent and is written in a clear, straightforward, and dare I say even simple style that is accessible to even novice mystics. Since the sexual revolution in the 1960's, asceticism has definitely fallen out of vogue in western Europe and North America, but in this small and readable book, Tito Colliander makes it clear why and how we should take up the "path of the acscetic". If you are looking for more than just the latest spirituality of the month from Oprah, and want to begin understanding the path of mystical Christianity and your own human nature then read this book, and even more so- put its advice into practice in your life. Colliander covers such important topics as fasting, the passions, prayer, and the reality of evil in our lives. I love puling it out on the subway, and reading a paragraph or two at a time; here is some simple yet dense food for the soul. Highly recommended!

What a hidden little gem this book is. Though I'm Catholic, not Eastern Orthodox, I highly recommend it. The book would probably be best read during Lent, but I read it during Winter. The highlight of the book for me was chapters 15-18, "On Prayer". The book recommends we try to practice the unceasing prayer St. Paul speaks of in 1 Thess 5:17. Chapter 25 recommends the well known Jesus Prayer of the East "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." I use a prayer from the Catholic tradition "Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I love you, save souls." We would be amazed at all the good we could do in this world and the next if we would spend more of those wasted moments, in a car, waiting for a train, in the doctor's office, in line at the grocery, etc, praying little prayers, aspirations, darts, ejaculations.I say the book would best be read in Lent because before the book leads us to the heights, it lays the foundation with the need for the cleansing of the heart and the purification of our desires. Chapter titles along this line include "On the Denial of Self and the Cleansing of the Heart", "On Fasting", and "On the Transfer of Love from the Self to Christ" among others. I suppose at times I'm too into comfortable American Christianity and don't want to hear words about denying myself. But I respect authors who tell me it because I know they're not trying to tickle my ears but are echoing and led by the True Spirit of Jesus.

Yes, it's a great book - but you do have to be serious about your spiritual life. The chapters are very short, maybe three pages each, but each packs a punch, and it's a hard-hitting punch, aimed at breaking down the walls of social comfort with which we all surround ourselves. It gets you thinking about modern life, contrasting it with the way the ancient ascetics achieved real holiness - by re-examining each and every one of their actions in the light of Christ, discarding anything that distracted them from life in Christ, striving to perfect what was left. A good reminder that spiritual warfare is unremitting, that the peace of Christ is only possible through spiritual warfare, and that it's a war we can only hope to win with the help of Christ in our lives.

Great book for those who want to try and live like an Ascetic (Monks and Nuns). I don't recommend as a beginning book for Orthodox Christians unless they go through it with a spiritual advisor or priest.

It’s good. A bit intense since written for monastics, but good.

This is one of those little books that you read slowly, a chapter at a time. Since each chapter is only three or four pages, there is a temptation to read on, but you need to resist that temptation! Instead, prayerfully ponder each sentence, even each word. Asceticism is so far from the experience of most American Christians in this 21st century. Most of us are "owned" by our possessions, caught up in a materialism that drains our souls and reinforces our separation from God. In this book, Colliander has given us an antidote for that which poisons the soul as he calls us away from the life of self to the true life that comes from a sincere relationship with the Triune God. It is a book that I will cherish and read again and again, probably each Lent

They sent the book via Snail Mail so my book was still in the UK when it was supposed to be delivered. Eventually Correos got their hands on it, but rush for no man.Get fulfilment by Amazon or send it via UPS. Don't waste our time.The book is great though.

Very good book for those beginning a study of the area

This is such a succinct and profound theological gem. It offers keen, practical insight into awakening/galvanizing a genuine spiritual life in the spirit of Christ, through the Holy Spirit. Such a wonderful classic - one that I predict I will read numerous times in my life to help me "keep on track."

Excellent, very helpful

Great book if your fasting