The Watchful Mind: Teachings on the Prayer of the Heart

by Monk of Mount Athos, A Monk of Mount Athos

Written by an anonymous priest-monk living in asceticism on the Holy Mountain of Athos, The Watchful Mind is the fruit of a life of deep prayer. The unknown writer was a hesychast—a practitioner of stillness and the Jesus Prayer—and in these pages he shares with readers his hidden life, a life filled with spiritual struggles, ecstatic experiences, and mystical revelations. Moved by a burning love for Christ, the author does not give us a neatly composed reflection on the spiritual life, but rather an account of his own passionate search. This deeply personal book is an account of one holy man’s unique journey in the life of contemplation. It touches on many aspects of the spiritual and ascetic life, particularly the hesychastic themes of watchfulness, spiritual warfare, and the prayer of the heart.

This profound book written in 1851 and preserved in the library of our Sacred Monastery of Saint Xenophon represents the fruit of holy and spiritual revelations, painful struggles, and divine experiences and ascents of this humble, unknown ascetic of the Holy Mountain.

—Very Rev. Archimandrite Alexios, Abbot of St Xenophon, Mount Athos


Nepsis or “watchfulness”—attentiveness through vigilance and stillness—is the heart of spiritual prayer and comprises the essence of the message of the Philokalia. This littleknown text by an unknown author demonstrates that, beyond the recent revival of monasticism on Mount Athos, the prayer of the heart never abated there through the centuries. Indeed, the “method” of contemplation (theoria) has always remained vibrant in the lives of numerous unseen and unheard hermits. —Rev. Dr John Chryssavgis

The Rev. Dr George Dokos received his doctorate in theology from the Aristotle University in Thessaloniki. He has published several works of St Nikodemos the Hagiorite and currently serves the parish of Sts Peter & Paul in Boulder, CO.

Genres: Prayer, Spirituality, Religion, Christianity

236 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would definitely read other titles before embarking on this one. This would be much better understood by starting with The Mountain of Silence by Kyriakou Markides. From there I would recommend both the epistles of elder Paisios and The Way of the Pilgrim. And of course the bone-chilling Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus. The Philotakia is fundamental as well. All top picks. But the journey best begins with The Mountain of Silence. The Watchful Mind will be much more meaningful after completing the others mentioned above.

[Dylan Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

"But perhaps it will escape this reckoning?"
"No."

[John Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

One must keep in mind that this book was not written for laypeople. This is heavy stuff, not for neophytes. However, this does give you very specific instructions on how to say the Jesus Prayer. We as laypeople can benefit greatly from noetic prayer. It does however take a great amount of time and practice, and should not be done without the guidance of your spiritual father.

[Jason Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent discussion of the importance - and the physical consequences - of practicing the Prayer of the Heart (the Jesus Prayer). Some of the content is difficult to follow unless one is actively practicing the prayer, and some of the content is even impossible to understand unless one has experienced the spiritual battle that the prayer often leads to.

The book is most appropriate for Orthodox monastics, but can be read profitably by anyone practicing the prayer.

[Ms Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prayer in this book shows you the depths of desire the servants and saints of God had towards him. This book is rich and transformative. It will be hard for beginners to engage.

The book shows the benefits of the prayer of the heart, it’s clearly describes the method in various places throughout the book it also shows clearly the lifestyle required to encounter heaven on Earth and beyond.

[Brandon Strain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not an easy read, but a wonderful introduction to Noetic Prayer and Nepsis! The origins of this book are also very intriguing! It’s a miracle and a blessing not only that this book was written, but that it was found and published after the fact! Definitely not for everyone, but if you’re ready (and your spiritual father agrees!) it’s a great read!

[EC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for ALL of God's children! Help his song to sing, be brotherly! Mount Athos is a holy place, full of elders with spiritual wisdom.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on the Jesus prayer and how vital it is for our relationship with Christ. Written by a monk, it is definitely something to strive for in our worldly lives.