The Way of the Spirit: Reflections on Life in God

by Aimilianos of Simonopetra

Preface

This book is an offering to our brothers and sisters throughout the world, for 'love does not seek its own', but desires communion with others, teaching us to sing in 'other tongues'. We cannot say 'we have no need of you', for without you our joy would not be complete (I Cor. 13.5; 12.21).

Elder Aimilianos was our guide, teacher, and father in Christ, and remains so this day. We lived with him for many years, traveling together in the way of the Spirit. The discourses collected in this volume give expression to his personal experience of God, which was always real, living, and dynamic. We believe that they will fill you with joyful hope.

Even so, we have here only the surface, the crest of a rising wave, continuous with an infinite sea. In the receding tide, we discover traces on the shore, like sounds in an empty shell that once harbored life. There we look, listen, and wait. To love, in a sense, is to accept and consent to this distance. But these are no ordinary signs, and from here our journey begins, as on the threshold of spiritual change.

Read this book in the spirit of peace, with no anxiety about understanding new concepts or learning things under pressure. Let your reading and and attention be unforced, a form of prayer. As you hold the shell to your ear, listen for the word of God, and enter into communion with him. 'How sweet is the voice of our Beloved! The winter is past. flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come (Song 2.10-12).

Pentacost 2008

Archimandrite Elisaios
Abbot of the Sacred Monastery of Simonopetra
Mt. Athos

Genres: Christianity, Spirituality

398 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2009

About the author

Aimilianos of Simonopetra, titled as Elder and Archimandrite, was the abbot of Simonopetra Monastery from 1974 to 2000. As a young monk, Elder Aimilianos looked forward to a career as a foreign missionary. Assigned to a monastery, the Elder experienced a spiritual crisis from which he emerged a man, supremely energized, and dedicated to revitalization of monastic life.

Reviews

[capturedbyannamarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished this book, The Way of The Spirit. You know when you finish a book, and you just are in awe. That’s how I felt, when I was finished. Wow! I am so glad that I have taken as much time as possible to slowly read it. I will be rereading it many times. In fact, I want to already reread it immediately. It truly is the best book I have read by far this year. It’s filled with profound and beautifully written spiritual guidance for everyday life. You can tell Elder Aimilianos, who will soon be canonized a saint, is truly full of Godly wisdom. It is written in a very powerful but readable way. He quotes Holy Scripture and the church fathers constantly. This book truly is a joy to read. If you have not read it, please do. I now want to read all of the books by him.

[Signe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taken from talks given by the Archimandrite Aimilianos, who was the the Abbot of the Simonopetra Monastery at Mt Athos and who also founded the monastery for women commonly called Ormylia.

This book is tremendously beautiful in a spiritual sense.

A great choice to begin the Lenten journey. The last chapters touch on the Triodion.

This work may be more accessible for people who have had some spiritual experience and some time in the Orthodox Church.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book is written by a monk, and I think written mostly for those pursuing monastic spirituality, there are so many great images and quotes in this book, that it is worth reading to gain insight into how Archinadrite Aimilianos understood the Christian life. "Translating" his concepts into the life of parish laymen is the difficult task that those of us who live in the world must face.

[Steven Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books!