Prayer of the Heart

If you have read 'The Art of Prayer' and/or any volume of the Philokalia, but feel a bit distanced from them due to historical and cultural language that is not your own, or are merely confused by their depth and detail, this book by George Maloney does much to clear things up. If you have read other books on hesychasm, Eastern Christianity's 'way of stillness', this book may also serve as inspiration to begin, or continue, to pursue this practical, potentially transformative spiritual path. If you are a Christian seeking a spiritual path or practical asceticism that goes beyond mere faith, or are a seeker with a Bhakti (devotional) temperament and an understanding of the need for being still (meditative practice), coupled with an emotional attraction to Jesus Christ, this book could serve as a valuable guide. If you are simply interested in learning what Eastern Orthodoxy's 'Prayer of the Heart' is all about, I know of no clearer introduction than this, with the exception of the 'Way of the Pilgrim'.

Fantastic book, I originally had a copy but it went missing and I just had to have a replacement. Brilliant scholarship, well-referenced guide for those in the western world for people interested in meditative prayer of the heart. It's the sort of book that needs to be read over and over again to more fully extract the meaning of various concepts. It is however, very useful for beginners as well as those more used to contemplative Christian prayer. Thoroughly recommended!!!

This second edition of George Maloney's "Prayer of the Heart" is like a guide book to the riches that await us in the peace of our hearts. The treasures found in the simple "Jesus Prayer", a well-kept secret from the Desert Fathers of the 4th century, are sprinkled throughout this book. "Turn deeply within and find Jesus Christ sending his Spirit of love upon you. It is he who will teach you in a non-verbal way how to know the Father and his oneness with Jesus, the firstborn of the Father." (page 140)

I bought this book because it was recomended by the author of another book. I did not know this author. I sincerely was amazed by it. It has a very direct and straightforward style, but it is very profound.