Breathing Divine Breath: on the Greco-Egyptian Sources of Hesychasm

Abstract

The genesis of Hesychasm is still quite unresolved. In this article, the assumption that its origins lie in late Greco-Egyptian Antiquity, in the eastern Mediterranean, and that Yoga contributed to it, remain in the background. The normative form of Hesychasm, referred to here, is that described briefly by St. Gregory Palamas. In this article, two constituents, presented by him as essential, are investigated for their likely roots in the Greco-Egyptian syncretism of Antiquity. It emerges, that meditative ‘breathing’ – which Palamas connects to the drawing inward of the mind and awareness of the meditator – also serves as a ‘vehicle’ for drawing in the divine spirit, and the power of God, into the centre of a person, the ‘heart’ – that comprises the body, the soul, and the mind. This latter is important in testimonies of GrecoEgyptian syncretism, especially the Magic Papyry. ‘Magic’ is framed here religiously. This indicates that it is believed to be effective and theologically legitimate. The inclusion of Biblical elements in these texts suggest, that boundaries to Judaism and later to Christianity, were fluid. Therefore, the concepts and practices presented here, are to be regarded as important to a profound understanding of Hesychasm. Palamas’ instruction, ‘to send the spirit (nou=j) inwardly by means of breathing, should therefore not be understood as limited to the persons mind and consciousness, but also, as signifying the divine spirit (nou=j), with its power, inwardly, and thus, to participate in it, for divinisation and for acting by this power.

Keywords

• hesychasm
• orthodox spirituality
• greco-egyptian syncretism
• pneumatology
• embodiment