“The Discourses are full of interest in terms of information about the monastic life and rules of the time. They are also full of insight in terms of theological and spiritual doctrine. They are marked by a faithfulness to tradition, drawing as they do on the former and formative generations of egyptian asceticism; yet they are equally marked by a note of originality, founding as it were a current of thought that becomes distinctive of the Gaza region. [...T]he Discourses is not a systematic exposition of monastic thought. It should be added here that they are also not a scholastic treatment of ascetic theology. The work is intellectual, even at times creative, and it does have a sense of unity in its basic structure and theme. Nevertheless, it does not contain any explicitly philosophical speculation or exclusively doctrinal elaboration. [...]Abba Isaiah is described by his biographer, Zacchariah the Rhetorician as a praktikos, and this term appropriately and succinctly summarizes the character of the Discourses. They constitute a practical guide for the monk on the life of ascesis, the way of prayer, the discipline of work, the fulfillment of the commandments, and the attainment of accordance with the nature of Jesus.” —“Introduction”
CONTENTS
Table of Abbreviations Preface Introduction 1 Rules for the Brothers who Live with Him 2 On the Natural State of the Intellect 3 On the Condition of Beginners and Anchorites 4 On the Conscience of Those who Stay in Their Cells 5 Faithful Commandments for the Edification of Those who Wish to Live Peacefully Together 6 On Those who Desire to Lead a Life of Good Silence 7 On Virtues 8 Sayings 9 Commands for Those who have Renounced [the World] 10 Another Discourse 11 On the Grain of Mustard Seed 12 On Wine 13 On Those who have Struggled and Reached Perfection 14 Acts of Mourning 15 On Detachment 16 On the Joy that Comes to the Soul that Desires to Serve God 17 On Thoughts about Renunciation and Exile 18 On Forgiveness 19 On Passions 20 On Humility 21 On Repentance 22 On the Conduct of the New Person 23 On Perfection 24 On Tranquillity 25 To Abba Peter, his Disciple 26 Recorded by Isaiah’s Disciple, Abba Peter, who had Heard it Spoken by his Master 27 In which he says, ‘Attend Diligently’ 28 The Branches of Malice 29 Lamentations Bibliography Patristics Index Scripture Index Index of Names Subject Index
Item Number: BKLP808 Publication Data: Kalamazoo, MI: Cistercian Publications, 2002 Format: softcover Number of Pages: 282 Dimensions (l × w × h): 21.5 cm × 13.9 cm × 1.6 cm ISBN: 0‒87907‒750‒6
