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Marii initiati ai Indiei si Parintele Paisie
This powerful memoir tells the story of a Greek youth who, out of a desire to know the truth empirically, began to experiment in yoga, hypnotism, and various occult techniques. Eventually drawn back to the Faith of his forefathers—Orthodox Christianity—he visited the ancient monastic republic of Mount Athos in his native Greece, where he was brought to a knowledge of the Truth of Jesus Christ by the saintly Elder Paisios (1924–1994). Nevertheless, believing he had only found “part of the truth” on the Holy Mountain, he chose to give the “same opportunity” to Hindu yogis that he had given to Elder Paisios and other Orthodox monks. Thus, at the age of twenty-five, he embarked on a trip to India, where he undertook his search in the ashrams of three famous gurus, one of whom was worshipped as a god. His experiences in India, along with his subsequent encounters with Elder Paisios on Mount Athos, are recounted in the present book in vivid detail.
Popular in Greece since its first publication there in 2001, The Gurus, the Young Man, and Elder Paisios is a page-turning narrative of both outward adventures and inward struggles. What stands out most in this book, however, is the radiant image of Elder Paisios, possessed of divine gifts, laboring in prayer for his fellow man, and overflowing with unconditional love. Through this, one sees the uncreated Source of the elder’s love and of the author’s spiritual transformation: the true God-man Jesus Christ, Who honors man’s personal freedom while drawing him, through love, into everlasting union with Himself.
Popular in Greece since its first publication there in 2001, The Gurus, the Young Man, and Elder Paisios is a page-turning narrative of both outward adventures and inward struggles. What stands out most in this book, however, is the radiant image of Elder Paisios, possessed of divine gifts, laboring in prayer for his fellow man, and overflowing with unconditional love. Through this, one sees the uncreated Source of the elder’s love and of the author’s spiritual transformation: the true God-man Jesus Christ, Who honors man’s personal freedom while drawing him, through love, into everlasting union with Himself.
470 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
146 people are currently reading
1156 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
January 7, 2020
Many years ago I dabbled in esoteric practices similar to what this author writes about. I got out a lot sooner than he did and returned to the Christian faith. The depth to which this man experienced evil is mind-boggling and very real. I just finished reading "The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church" by Vladimir Lossky. Whereas Lossky rearranged the very structure of my mind, this book demonstrated spiritual reality at the level of experience. The only way to get a deeper experience than reading this book is to try it yourself.
March 1, 2019
As a convert to Orthodox Christianity from Sikhism, this book is amazing. It made more sense what I went through growing up. Although this books talks about the authors experience with Hinduism and not Sikhism, my family were still heavily influenced by it. I love it and it has definitely made my faith stronger. St Paisios is truly remarkable and lovable. God bless this author and thank you for sharing your experience.
June 24, 2009
Dionysius Farasiotis (a pen-name) didn’t just want to believe something because someone said it was true, he wanted to know the truth. This led him on a Spiritually dangerous journey. Since he didn’t seem to have grown up with much or any religion, he was open to anything that might reveal the meaning of life, and he went searching in some of the darker corners of the world. He delved into Mind Control, occult, Hinduism, and Christianity. I found it interesting that, for someone who seemed to want to be scientific in his approach, he was attracted to wild and mystical experiences. Besides wanting to know truth he was also asking, “What can you do for me?” Perhaps not the most altruistic, but there are several accounts of people who set out to disprove Christianity only to find themselves face to face with a Savior.
I think this is a book that will stick with me for many years to come, mostly because of the sections with Elder Paisios (I’ve already spent some time delving into that a bit in previous posts). In many ways this book was the companion to Eat, Pray, Love in which Elizabeth Gilbert rejects Christianity, goes to India, and embraces Hinduism. That book is a very gentle, fun, and comfortable look at ashrams and gurus. In the The Gurus, the Young Man, and Elder Pasios we discover a dark and sinister side of Hinduism. It was definitely more intense and “in-your-face” than the other book.
However, there were aspects of it that were a bit disappointing. As I mentioned, the author was very interested in mystical experiences. It reminded me a lot of my Protestant days when people went from experience to experience and spiritual high to spiritual high. I came away wondering how this guy dealt with the boring everyday experiences of getting up, saying your prayers, reading your Bible, and going to work (or church)? Could he stand the monotony? I was thankful for the “Testimonies from Greek Spiritual Fathers” in the back of the book because, honestly, some of the experiences he relates are pretty amazing and left we wondering how much he had embellished. Those “letters of recommendations” helped to assuage my skepticism.
I think this is a book that will stick with me for many years to come, mostly because of the sections with Elder Paisios (I’ve already spent some time delving into that a bit in previous posts). In many ways this book was the companion to Eat, Pray, Love in which Elizabeth Gilbert rejects Christianity, goes to India, and embraces Hinduism. That book is a very gentle, fun, and comfortable look at ashrams and gurus. In the The Gurus, the Young Man, and Elder Pasios we discover a dark and sinister side of Hinduism. It was definitely more intense and “in-your-face” than the other book.
However, there were aspects of it that were a bit disappointing. As I mentioned, the author was very interested in mystical experiences. It reminded me a lot of my Protestant days when people went from experience to experience and spiritual high to spiritual high. I came away wondering how this guy dealt with the boring everyday experiences of getting up, saying your prayers, reading your Bible, and going to work (or church)? Could he stand the monotony? I was thankful for the “Testimonies from Greek Spiritual Fathers” in the back of the book because, honestly, some of the experiences he relates are pretty amazing and left we wondering how much he had embellished. Those “letters of recommendations” helped to assuage my skepticism.
January 28, 2021
Short review: physical, spiritual and mental struggles of a severely mentally ill, substance abusing, lustful and tortured man.
Book is filled with false information, twisting of facts and teachings, outright lies (author read Vivekananda's last will where he wrote that his mission is to destroy Christianity, but he nor anyone else ever saw that document again), shifting blame to demons when he lacks willpower and discipline, but later lectures the readers about importance of decision making and morality, which he never displays. He also labels everything non-Christian demonic, calls all the Hindu deities demons, claims that "Indians are under Satan's influence", and NEVER, EVER, describes his "horrible sins; bad behavior; old ways...". It's clear as day that the man was a drug addict hanging out with the wrong crowds, as evident in the book when he avoids going out multiple times, since he knows he will "go back to his old ways", and everything else.
I feel nothing but sadness for the author, since it's evident that he's a very, very troubled man that needs all the help he can get, but what amazes me are the 5 star reviews, it's incredible to see so many people that can't understand that the author has complete chaos in his psyche and spirit and that his accounts can't be taken seriously and as facts. It's sad to see that many others had this kind of experience, but it's no wonder with mental illnesses affecting more and more people, and they look for the cure in all the wrong places.
I've never rated a book lower than three stars, but I have to make an exception, since this book is very dangerous, because it's very misleading and no valid conclusions can be made from it, besides the author being a very sick man, and the Elders and monks from Mount Athos being truly great people and servants of God.
Extension of the review:
In the book we witness a painful struggle of a mentally ill man, probably suffering from schizophrenia, like a psychologist that reviewed the book on Amazon wrote.
Story starts with the author being curious about being, what's the point or goal of life, how's a man supposed to live, all the standard question that send a person into a spiritual search.
In first chapter, the author outlines how he was "pushed to evil", where he puts everything besides Orthodox Christianity in one basket - witchcraft. He started with Bertrand Russell, and became an atheist, then at the university he became a Marxist, then he started reading Reich, Fromm, Jung, Freud, and after that he went to Eastern thinkers/philosophers/mystics such as Vivekananda, Krishnamurti, Herman Hesse etc. Now I have to write my opinion about the alleged author's efforts.
He might have read some of the works, even though I am am 99% sure he didn't read a single book from the beginning to the end or made a disciplined effort to understand any of the topics he investigated, since he would learn at least something from them and avoid the pain and agony that followed him his entire life and never stopped. The author is a man that jumped head first into so many things without having the slightest clue about them, if it weren't for Elder Paisios to "bail him out" multiple times, he would probably end up in a mental asylum. He is clueless about Yoga, psychology, Gurdjieff's work, esoteric teachings of all kinds, and unfortunately Christianity as well, but talks authoritatively about them. He displays his cluelessness throughout the entire book. For example he mentions "yoga nintra" several times, which is actually called yoga nidra, a practice that was made famous by Swami Satyananda in whose ashram he spent a long period of time while in India. The man couldn't remember the name of the most characteristic practice he did every day, what more to say? He also wrote about Patanjali's Yoga sutras and labeled himself a Yogi, despite not following any of the principles outlined in the work that defines Yoga.
To continue the 1st chapter: he goes to a man he "didn't like and made him uneasy" with his friends, so what's the best thing to do? Let that same man hypnotize you. If he actually read Jung, and knew something about the subconscious and unconscious, he would never think about doing something like that. It is my opinion that this event fully triggered the mental illness that he never recovered from. After the hypnosis, he started imagining that the man has an influence on him and that he's being manipulated by him trough mind control and that demons are attacking him during the night. He then took a heroin addict friend to this same man to cure her of her addiction, I'm not kidding. You probably know it didn't end well.
After his horrible experience with hypnosis and now being followed by demons, what's the logical solution? Going to your "female friend's" house to practice "witchcraft". Of course, they get attacked by demons again, and he starts using the expression he will use constantly "...witchcraft, yoga and other occult practices". After that he meets with a Mason, which curses him, and he gets attacked by demons... He then starts visiting a yoga ashram, and believe it or not, gets attacked by demons again. Then he's attacked by demons some more, but this time he knows that they are directed onto him by the teachers from the ashram.
In the 2nd chapter, after all the suffering he experienced, he goes to Mount Athos, a holy place for Orthodox Christians and meets Elder Paisios, a living saint at that time (which is my opinion as well, he was an incredibly gifted man of God), who helps him immensely, fills him with love, happiness and joy, shows him the full power of Christ consciousness and it seems that all the problems are resolved. He stays with the Elder who blesses him with great teachings, advice, love and he feels renewed, despite still getting attacked by demons occasionally while in the monastery. So what does he do when he comes back home? He starts going to the same Yoga ashram, despite saying that the teachers from there sent demonic influences his way. As he says he came back to his "evil habits" which he never explains, but it's substance abuse and bad company, as evident by reading the book. He is also a hyper-lustful man, almost every woman he encounters he has an erotic or sexual thoughts and describes the situations as such. After another bad experience, he goes to something called "Silva mind control" seminar... and yes, he gets attacked by demons again.
I'm not able to go chapter by chapter, the review will be too long, I'm gonna shorten it. He keeps going back to Mount Athos, Elders and priests help him, put him on the right track, he comes back home, mental illness and his bad habits produce more problems and bad choices, he goes to India, joins a cult and leaves it after he's attacked by demons, he goes to an Ashram, they accept him and lower the stay fee for him, he then gets attacked by demons again, intentionally annoys the patrons, then GOES BACK to the cult leader, which he described as "demonic", when he visits a nearby town, performs the rituals which by his own words didn't even understand, GETS INFESTED BY A DEMON - AGAIN, then goes back to the Ashram, gets attacked by demons every single day, then goes back to Greece, without even saying goodbye to the man who accepted him in the Ashram, but when he was leaving, the Swami saw him, and as he describes "looked at him with extreme hatred", which, you guessed it, triggered another onslaught of demon attacks.
He goes back to Greece, visits Mount Athos again, he gets an exorcism of a sort by Elder Paisios, he also heals his "brain injury" that was caused by the demons as he describes it. He then compares the gurus and Elder, Satan and God, darkness and light and concludes that the Elder represents the light and God, which he definitely does, and EVERYTHING else represents the devil. He writes that the Elder told him that "Indians are under the influence of Satan", despite there being about 30 million Christians in India. So our guide feels completely rejuvenated and healthy.
Can you guess what he does when he goes back home? Starts performing the practices the cult leader taught him, and gets attacked by demons for the 100th time, then goes back to Mount Athos for the Elders and priests to help him. After all this, he's still constantly "afraid that he will get mixed up with his old friends on his old stomping grounds, and return to his former ways", despite NEVER explaining what those ways are, but they are 99% related to substance abuse, he also mentions later on that he again committed "serious sins" and doesn't explain it. He then goes to army gets attacked by demons again, comes back, explains his views on life, Christianity and everything else, which is painful to read, that a man after undergoing such tribulations didn't really understand or learn almost anything, tries to become a monk four separate times over the years, fails every time because of his "passions", gets married and starts a family.
All in all, an interesting read which gives insight into the mind of a severely mentally ill man, but a very misinforming read for someone that doesn't have enough knowledge and experience to know the Truth from lies or delusion.
Book is filled with false information, twisting of facts and teachings, outright lies (author read Vivekananda's last will where he wrote that his mission is to destroy Christianity, but he nor anyone else ever saw that document again), shifting blame to demons when he lacks willpower and discipline, but later lectures the readers about importance of decision making and morality, which he never displays. He also labels everything non-Christian demonic, calls all the Hindu deities demons, claims that "Indians are under Satan's influence", and NEVER, EVER, describes his "horrible sins; bad behavior; old ways...". It's clear as day that the man was a drug addict hanging out with the wrong crowds, as evident in the book when he avoids going out multiple times, since he knows he will "go back to his old ways", and everything else.
I feel nothing but sadness for the author, since it's evident that he's a very, very troubled man that needs all the help he can get, but what amazes me are the 5 star reviews, it's incredible to see so many people that can't understand that the author has complete chaos in his psyche and spirit and that his accounts can't be taken seriously and as facts. It's sad to see that many others had this kind of experience, but it's no wonder with mental illnesses affecting more and more people, and they look for the cure in all the wrong places.
I've never rated a book lower than three stars, but I have to make an exception, since this book is very dangerous, because it's very misleading and no valid conclusions can be made from it, besides the author being a very sick man, and the Elders and monks from Mount Athos being truly great people and servants of God.
Extension of the review:
In the book we witness a painful struggle of a mentally ill man, probably suffering from schizophrenia, like a psychologist that reviewed the book on Amazon wrote.
Story starts with the author being curious about being, what's the point or goal of life, how's a man supposed to live, all the standard question that send a person into a spiritual search.
In first chapter, the author outlines how he was "pushed to evil", where he puts everything besides Orthodox Christianity in one basket - witchcraft. He started with Bertrand Russell, and became an atheist, then at the university he became a Marxist, then he started reading Reich, Fromm, Jung, Freud, and after that he went to Eastern thinkers/philosophers/mystics such as Vivekananda, Krishnamurti, Herman Hesse etc. Now I have to write my opinion about the alleged author's efforts.
He might have read some of the works, even though I am am 99% sure he didn't read a single book from the beginning to the end or made a disciplined effort to understand any of the topics he investigated, since he would learn at least something from them and avoid the pain and agony that followed him his entire life and never stopped. The author is a man that jumped head first into so many things without having the slightest clue about them, if it weren't for Elder Paisios to "bail him out" multiple times, he would probably end up in a mental asylum. He is clueless about Yoga, psychology, Gurdjieff's work, esoteric teachings of all kinds, and unfortunately Christianity as well, but talks authoritatively about them. He displays his cluelessness throughout the entire book. For example he mentions "yoga nintra" several times, which is actually called yoga nidra, a practice that was made famous by Swami Satyananda in whose ashram he spent a long period of time while in India. The man couldn't remember the name of the most characteristic practice he did every day, what more to say? He also wrote about Patanjali's Yoga sutras and labeled himself a Yogi, despite not following any of the principles outlined in the work that defines Yoga.
To continue the 1st chapter: he goes to a man he "didn't like and made him uneasy" with his friends, so what's the best thing to do? Let that same man hypnotize you. If he actually read Jung, and knew something about the subconscious and unconscious, he would never think about doing something like that. It is my opinion that this event fully triggered the mental illness that he never recovered from. After the hypnosis, he started imagining that the man has an influence on him and that he's being manipulated by him trough mind control and that demons are attacking him during the night. He then took a heroin addict friend to this same man to cure her of her addiction, I'm not kidding. You probably know it didn't end well.
After his horrible experience with hypnosis and now being followed by demons, what's the logical solution? Going to your "female friend's" house to practice "witchcraft". Of course, they get attacked by demons again, and he starts using the expression he will use constantly "...witchcraft, yoga and other occult practices". After that he meets with a Mason, which curses him, and he gets attacked by demons... He then starts visiting a yoga ashram, and believe it or not, gets attacked by demons again. Then he's attacked by demons some more, but this time he knows that they are directed onto him by the teachers from the ashram.
In the 2nd chapter, after all the suffering he experienced, he goes to Mount Athos, a holy place for Orthodox Christians and meets Elder Paisios, a living saint at that time (which is my opinion as well, he was an incredibly gifted man of God), who helps him immensely, fills him with love, happiness and joy, shows him the full power of Christ consciousness and it seems that all the problems are resolved. He stays with the Elder who blesses him with great teachings, advice, love and he feels renewed, despite still getting attacked by demons occasionally while in the monastery. So what does he do when he comes back home? He starts going to the same Yoga ashram, despite saying that the teachers from there sent demonic influences his way. As he says he came back to his "evil habits" which he never explains, but it's substance abuse and bad company, as evident by reading the book. He is also a hyper-lustful man, almost every woman he encounters he has an erotic or sexual thoughts and describes the situations as such. After another bad experience, he goes to something called "Silva mind control" seminar... and yes, he gets attacked by demons again.
I'm not able to go chapter by chapter, the review will be too long, I'm gonna shorten it. He keeps going back to Mount Athos, Elders and priests help him, put him on the right track, he comes back home, mental illness and his bad habits produce more problems and bad choices, he goes to India, joins a cult and leaves it after he's attacked by demons, he goes to an Ashram, they accept him and lower the stay fee for him, he then gets attacked by demons again, intentionally annoys the patrons, then GOES BACK to the cult leader, which he described as "demonic", when he visits a nearby town, performs the rituals which by his own words didn't even understand, GETS INFESTED BY A DEMON - AGAIN, then goes back to the Ashram, gets attacked by demons every single day, then goes back to Greece, without even saying goodbye to the man who accepted him in the Ashram, but when he was leaving, the Swami saw him, and as he describes "looked at him with extreme hatred", which, you guessed it, triggered another onslaught of demon attacks.
He goes back to Greece, visits Mount Athos again, he gets an exorcism of a sort by Elder Paisios, he also heals his "brain injury" that was caused by the demons as he describes it. He then compares the gurus and Elder, Satan and God, darkness and light and concludes that the Elder represents the light and God, which he definitely does, and EVERYTHING else represents the devil. He writes that the Elder told him that "Indians are under the influence of Satan", despite there being about 30 million Christians in India. So our guide feels completely rejuvenated and healthy.
Can you guess what he does when he goes back home? Starts performing the practices the cult leader taught him, and gets attacked by demons for the 100th time, then goes back to Mount Athos for the Elders and priests to help him. After all this, he's still constantly "afraid that he will get mixed up with his old friends on his old stomping grounds, and return to his former ways", despite NEVER explaining what those ways are, but they are 99% related to substance abuse, he also mentions later on that he again committed "serious sins" and doesn't explain it. He then goes to army gets attacked by demons again, comes back, explains his views on life, Christianity and everything else, which is painful to read, that a man after undergoing such tribulations didn't really understand or learn almost anything, tries to become a monk four separate times over the years, fails every time because of his "passions", gets married and starts a family.
All in all, an interesting read which gives insight into the mind of a severely mentally ill man, but a very misinforming read for someone that doesn't have enough knowledge and experience to know the Truth from lies or delusion.
October 13, 2009
Amazing book. I sometimes have trouble sleeping when I think about it too much. It's an endearing account of the life of Elder Paisios the New of Mount Athos and a thrilling conversion tale. Miracles, angelic visitations, demonic attacks, the occult, etc. Read it immediately.
September 16, 2024
This book is akin to Rabi Maharaj's "Death of a Guru' or Tal Brooke's book on Sai Baba titled 'Lord of the Air'. Both these authors speak of their journeys in mysticism that culminated in them escaping the occult clutches of Hindu godmen and gurus and finding solace and salvation in Jesus Christ. This particular book is the journey of a young Greek man who also undertook, like many during the 60s and 70s, the voyage of a psychonaut.
This young man read all the 'must read' books of the times, followed the hippie trail, and was deeply enamoured by the occult and mysticism. He, however, had the opportunity to meet Elder Paisios of Mount Athos who became to him a spiritual mentor, guide and guardian as he traversed the landscape of the freaks. He was involved in witchcraft, Silva mind control, and other methods of breaking on through to the other side and was the victim of several strange psychic and demonic phenomena. His search ultimately takes him to India where he is able to meet the Godman of Godmen, Babaji, and other advanced yogis. His experiences with them are bizarre and often juxtaposed with his encounters of Christ, the Theotokos Virgin Mary, and memories of the different spirit of the monks of Mount Athos.
The gist of the book is both a warning and encouragement. Though the occult groups he was plugged into, especially the gurus and ashrams or India, claimed to be seeking after and exploring sublime aspects of God, he kept discovering their aversion to Jesus Christ and His ways and how they sought to undermine the claims of Christ as just another godman. Their assertions were that, in some way they, knew much more than Christ.
The author identifies the main differences between the paths of Christ and the occultists. One is personal and the other is impersonal. One is moral and the other is amoral. One depends on human efforts at expanding one's mind or soul, and the other depends on grace and the Holy Spirit's inspiration and leading through Christ. Finally, the path of the gurus is fraught with dangers given that powerful yogis can influence, charm, curse or even inject demonic spirits into people without their consent. However, Christ and the Holy Spirit never invade a person against his or her will.
The writer experiences yogis who seek to manipulate his soul and spirit through their superior powers and he enters trances or fugues which leave him disturbed. He is even possessed by a demonic spirit at one point. His solace comes when he repeats the Jesus Prayer to himself or seeks spiritual help from the Theotokos and he is always helped in his desperation when under yogic or spiritual attack. This help was sent, he believes, because Elder Paisios was guarding him in prayer in the presence of Jesus on Mount Athos.
The author confesses that though he often experienced the grace and the goodness in Christ through the monks at Mount Athos, his curiosity and contention that perhaps other religions like Hinduism also had the "truth" in their mystical ways lead him to wander again and again into the unknown where what he encountered often was confusion and danger. Once you make connection with the dark forces, they always try to stay attached to the person and it is not easy to shake them off, he warns. However, in the end he returns to Greece and Mount Athos where the demonic spirit that possessed him is cast out by Elder Paisios in the name of Jesus. He slowly gets established in Jesus Christ as his spiritual anchor and saviour.
Overall, the book's message is that if you can find a Saviour who is loving and ready to bless and guard you why wander around among alien spirits. This sort of wandering is a matter of pride and perhaps even a sign of rebellion against the deliverance wrought in and brought to earth by Jesus Christ. Stay safe in Christ, is the message.
This young man read all the 'must read' books of the times, followed the hippie trail, and was deeply enamoured by the occult and mysticism. He, however, had the opportunity to meet Elder Paisios of Mount Athos who became to him a spiritual mentor, guide and guardian as he traversed the landscape of the freaks. He was involved in witchcraft, Silva mind control, and other methods of breaking on through to the other side and was the victim of several strange psychic and demonic phenomena. His search ultimately takes him to India where he is able to meet the Godman of Godmen, Babaji, and other advanced yogis. His experiences with them are bizarre and often juxtaposed with his encounters of Christ, the Theotokos Virgin Mary, and memories of the different spirit of the monks of Mount Athos.
The gist of the book is both a warning and encouragement. Though the occult groups he was plugged into, especially the gurus and ashrams or India, claimed to be seeking after and exploring sublime aspects of God, he kept discovering their aversion to Jesus Christ and His ways and how they sought to undermine the claims of Christ as just another godman. Their assertions were that, in some way they, knew much more than Christ.
The author identifies the main differences between the paths of Christ and the occultists. One is personal and the other is impersonal. One is moral and the other is amoral. One depends on human efforts at expanding one's mind or soul, and the other depends on grace and the Holy Spirit's inspiration and leading through Christ. Finally, the path of the gurus is fraught with dangers given that powerful yogis can influence, charm, curse or even inject demonic spirits into people without their consent. However, Christ and the Holy Spirit never invade a person against his or her will.
The writer experiences yogis who seek to manipulate his soul and spirit through their superior powers and he enters trances or fugues which leave him disturbed. He is even possessed by a demonic spirit at one point. His solace comes when he repeats the Jesus Prayer to himself or seeks spiritual help from the Theotokos and he is always helped in his desperation when under yogic or spiritual attack. This help was sent, he believes, because Elder Paisios was guarding him in prayer in the presence of Jesus on Mount Athos.
The author confesses that though he often experienced the grace and the goodness in Christ through the monks at Mount Athos, his curiosity and contention that perhaps other religions like Hinduism also had the "truth" in their mystical ways lead him to wander again and again into the unknown where what he encountered often was confusion and danger. Once you make connection with the dark forces, they always try to stay attached to the person and it is not easy to shake them off, he warns. However, in the end he returns to Greece and Mount Athos where the demonic spirit that possessed him is cast out by Elder Paisios in the name of Jesus. He slowly gets established in Jesus Christ as his spiritual anchor and saviour.
Overall, the book's message is that if you can find a Saviour who is loving and ready to bless and guard you why wander around among alien spirits. This sort of wandering is a matter of pride and perhaps even a sign of rebellion against the deliverance wrought in and brought to earth by Jesus Christ. Stay safe in Christ, is the message.
August 16, 2018
The author's quest for truth and spiritual anchoring is one that many people will be able to identify with. However, the many supernatural hurdles he encountered along the way were jarring and downright creepy! I have never dabbled in witchcraft and the occult - I have simply never been interested, and at a subconscious level, I think I know better than to mess around with the world of spirits. I couldn't relate to his experiences completely, but I do believe in competing forces of good/evil, light/darkness and therefore can accept the many paranormal events recounted in this book. Elder Paisios's protective presence is palpable throughout the author's journey to India and his experimentation with Silva mind control and the like, ultimately returning him to his Orthodox roots.
Some quotes that resonated:
"[...] I felt that whatever I did changed me and affected me deeply. My actions, my words, and my thoughts alter my soul. I don't know how I should live, and I don't know where I should go. It's as though I'm sculpting myself daily, but without a design, without a model, and totally at random. I shouldn't continue living my life in this way, but I don't know how to live."
"Prayer, as I learned, is a relationship between two persons, God and man, who move towards each other. Thus, the swiftness or slowness with which a person advances in prayer depends on both the human and divine wills. Neither the freedom of God in His sovereignty nor the freedom of man in his free choice are ever violated. For his part, man offers his good intention, his labors, and his desire to draw near to God. God, in turn, offers His grace.
No matter how great a man's ascetic labors may appear before the eyes of man, his offerings are infinitesimal in contrast with what God offers. Man takes one step, and God responds with a thousand in order to bridge the gap. Nevertheless, man's small and insignificant step in God's direction is absolutely crucial, because it reveals man's intention and good disposition, giving God the "right" to approach him, without infringing his spiritual freedom. Unlike the hate-filled, tyrannical devil, God deeply respects human freedom and never violates it, because He loves man. He desires a relationship of love with man, and love can exist only when people are free."
"[...] first man falls in his mind, and later in deed."
"Having personally experienced both the Christina Mysteries and magic, I can affirm that there is nothing magical about Holy Communion or other Mysteries of the Christian Faith. The Mysteries are performed with the power of Christ and require conscious and voluntary participation. In order for Christ to act within the divine Mysteries, the communicant has to will to participate in the Mystery consciously: he must yearn for it, and he is required to prepare for it with personal struggle. This is why those who nonchalantly approach the Mysteries out of habit experience very little change, if they experience anything at all. When, however, a person manifests his desire for God and his assent to being united with Him by taking pains to repent sincerely, God in turn will approach the genuinely repentant one to the extent and degree that He knows will be beneficial for that person's soul."
Some quotes that resonated:
"[...] I felt that whatever I did changed me and affected me deeply. My actions, my words, and my thoughts alter my soul. I don't know how I should live, and I don't know where I should go. It's as though I'm sculpting myself daily, but without a design, without a model, and totally at random. I shouldn't continue living my life in this way, but I don't know how to live."
"Prayer, as I learned, is a relationship between two persons, God and man, who move towards each other. Thus, the swiftness or slowness with which a person advances in prayer depends on both the human and divine wills. Neither the freedom of God in His sovereignty nor the freedom of man in his free choice are ever violated. For his part, man offers his good intention, his labors, and his desire to draw near to God. God, in turn, offers His grace.
No matter how great a man's ascetic labors may appear before the eyes of man, his offerings are infinitesimal in contrast with what God offers. Man takes one step, and God responds with a thousand in order to bridge the gap. Nevertheless, man's small and insignificant step in God's direction is absolutely crucial, because it reveals man's intention and good disposition, giving God the "right" to approach him, without infringing his spiritual freedom. Unlike the hate-filled, tyrannical devil, God deeply respects human freedom and never violates it, because He loves man. He desires a relationship of love with man, and love can exist only when people are free."
"[...] first man falls in his mind, and later in deed."
"Having personally experienced both the Christina Mysteries and magic, I can affirm that there is nothing magical about Holy Communion or other Mysteries of the Christian Faith. The Mysteries are performed with the power of Christ and require conscious and voluntary participation. In order for Christ to act within the divine Mysteries, the communicant has to will to participate in the Mystery consciously: he must yearn for it, and he is required to prepare for it with personal struggle. This is why those who nonchalantly approach the Mysteries out of habit experience very little change, if they experience anything at all. When, however, a person manifests his desire for God and his assent to being united with Him by taking pains to repent sincerely, God in turn will approach the genuinely repentant one to the extent and degree that He knows will be beneficial for that person's soul."
September 20, 2016
Before this book, I don't think I've ever experienced so much emotion packed into 320 pages of reading. “The Gurus, The Young Man, and Elder Paisios” was that book. Dionysius Farasiotis is one author who writes about his experiences of life in such depth that I felt part of his story. At moments I wanted to get out of his hardships and rejoice in his struggles. He made everything jump of the pages. Get ready to experience the story of Dionysuis, one not easily forgotten.
Dionysius Farasiotis was a man much like others that you cross paths with every day. He was clever, curious, adventurous, and always in wonder. He had questions that I believe crosses through all of our minds. “Why am I here?”, “What is my purpose”, and “What is the full human potential” were such thoughts. Looking back on his situation, Dionysius believes that he was led astray by the evil one to the Hindu religion and began participating in hypnotism, black magic, yoga, and other obscure activities. But almost by accident, he ended up on Mount Athos, a Holy Mountain home to many Orthodox Christian Monasteries. Coming into contact with a zealous monk named Elder Paisios (now a canonized Saint in the Orthodox Church), the course of his life was about to change…
If you want a book that keeps you up until midnight because you just HAVE to find out what happens, then this is the book for you. This book is for readers who are focused on the big picture of life. It is enticing and definitely teaches valuable lessons. Read the book to uncover these lessons and answer questions you didn’t even know you had.
Dionysius Farasiotis was a man much like others that you cross paths with every day. He was clever, curious, adventurous, and always in wonder. He had questions that I believe crosses through all of our minds. “Why am I here?”, “What is my purpose”, and “What is the full human potential” were such thoughts. Looking back on his situation, Dionysius believes that he was led astray by the evil one to the Hindu religion and began participating in hypnotism, black magic, yoga, and other obscure activities. But almost by accident, he ended up on Mount Athos, a Holy Mountain home to many Orthodox Christian Monasteries. Coming into contact with a zealous monk named Elder Paisios (now a canonized Saint in the Orthodox Church), the course of his life was about to change…
If you want a book that keeps you up until midnight because you just HAVE to find out what happens, then this is the book for you. This book is for readers who are focused on the big picture of life. It is enticing and definitely teaches valuable lessons. Read the book to uncover these lessons and answer questions you didn’t even know you had.
August 21, 2010
This book is a fantastic read for Orthodox Christians interested or swayed by the spirituality and philosophy of India. Although it seems to try to cater to any open-minded reader, it quickly takes the form of contrasting between Orthodox Christianity and Hinduism/Yoga, that could seem somewhat preachy to the average unbiased reader. This likewise occurs with some of the accounts of spiritual warfare in the book, which may take much salt to swallow for those unfamiliar or in disbelief.
In this vain, I also feel that Farasiotis's emphasis on the prayers of Elder Paiosios may confuse the average layman as to the power of Christ and the position of His saints as vessels of Grace - this tries to be later rectified, but only in passing. According to the testimony Archimandrite Theoklitos of St Arsenios Monastery, there is a second part of this book that may in fact clear up this very issue; but it as of yet remains to be published. May God grant the speedy publishing of that much-needed second half. Without it, this becomes more of a memoir than a guide for the disillusioned.
In this vain, I also feel that Farasiotis's emphasis on the prayers of Elder Paiosios may confuse the average layman as to the power of Christ and the position of His saints as vessels of Grace - this tries to be later rectified, but only in passing. According to the testimony Archimandrite Theoklitos of St Arsenios Monastery, there is a second part of this book that may in fact clear up this very issue; but it as of yet remains to be published. May God grant the speedy publishing of that much-needed second half. Without it, this becomes more of a memoir than a guide for the disillusioned.
February 1, 2022
An interesting book on what turns out to be a mystical form of spiritual warfare which affected the author by his dabbling in the occult. Interesting to read once, probably won't re-read (the book was loaned to me).
The best parts in my opinion is when the author was present with Elder (now Saint) Paisios - an amazing monk.
The best parts in my opinion is when the author was present with Elder (now Saint) Paisios - an amazing monk.
November 10, 2013
O carte care ar trebui promovata mai intens. Dezvaluie substraturile unei lumi controversate, mascate sub o aparenta cel putin inselatoare.
February 28, 2023
A fascinating autobiography of a Greek man who sought the truth from a young age, finding all his questions leading back to one question: "Does God exist?" and in the end of a tumultuous journey, finding Him.
This question pervaded his mind and would lead him to exploring the question by way of experience, or empiricism, delving into Eastern Mysticism, including Silva Mind Control, yoga, Hinduism, and other practices which he ultimately found demonic through first hand experience through the terror they produced in his soul and the coercive method by which he would be drawn towards them - through fear rather than through love.
Prior to coming to this final conclusion, that he came to on his trip to India to see the supposed god incarnate, Babaji, he had also been seeing Elder Paisios on Mount Athos, who had given him first hand experience of God's Grace through his powerful prayers and blessings. He became fully aware that a spiritual realm existed, so the question was, are these Eastern Gurus cooperating with God or with demons? On his trip to India he saw and partook in pagan idol worship in its fullest, Hinduism, and in hindsight saw perfectly how Scripture's condemnation of it applies - that indeed there were demons behind the statues, the gods of the nations.
Thinking empirically, he wanted to give India the same chance he had given Mount Athos, and so he submitted fully to their pagan practices, and he noticed that it was all centered around worship from fear, and with worldly gain as its end. Indeed, evil spirits do help their miserable servants to acquire wealth, convenience, women, and luxury. The author rightly noted, probably only in hindsight though, how the verse perfectly applies: "What doth it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Or what shall a man offer in exchange for his soul?".
After suffering demonic attacks from gurus that tried to terrorize him into staying in India, and comparing the violent light he saw to the Light that filled his spiritual vision through God's Grace by the Elder's prayers, he saw there was nothing to compare anymore. One was a Spirit of Truth, Comforter, Treasury of Good things and Giver of Life, which left him with peace and joy, while the other was darkness and rage. He left and returned to Mount Athos, where he was bestowed with spiritual gifts and had a demon cast out of him by the Holy Elder Paisos.
Henceforth he began to, slowly but surely, adopt the Orthodox Christian life, and find joy in the practice of the Jesus prayer, all the while being led by his spiritual father, Elder Paisos. The book really helps to make God: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit the singular desire of your heart, to want and love Him, rather than desire for reward, or fear of torment. It's a higher stage of spiritual life that can hardly be found in Western "Christianity's" moralism and intellectualism. He related many experiences and expositions on God's unconditional love for man, how it must be freely chosen rather than coerced, the beauty and grandeur of God's intention from the start, and the ultimate endless end of the Christian life - theosis.
May this book, particularly the last section on his beginning of Christian life, be as much of a blessing, eye-opener, and encouragement for you as it was for me.
This question pervaded his mind and would lead him to exploring the question by way of experience, or empiricism, delving into Eastern Mysticism, including Silva Mind Control, yoga, Hinduism, and other practices which he ultimately found demonic through first hand experience through the terror they produced in his soul and the coercive method by which he would be drawn towards them - through fear rather than through love.
Prior to coming to this final conclusion, that he came to on his trip to India to see the supposed god incarnate, Babaji, he had also been seeing Elder Paisios on Mount Athos, who had given him first hand experience of God's Grace through his powerful prayers and blessings. He became fully aware that a spiritual realm existed, so the question was, are these Eastern Gurus cooperating with God or with demons? On his trip to India he saw and partook in pagan idol worship in its fullest, Hinduism, and in hindsight saw perfectly how Scripture's condemnation of it applies - that indeed there were demons behind the statues, the gods of the nations.
Thinking empirically, he wanted to give India the same chance he had given Mount Athos, and so he submitted fully to their pagan practices, and he noticed that it was all centered around worship from fear, and with worldly gain as its end. Indeed, evil spirits do help their miserable servants to acquire wealth, convenience, women, and luxury. The author rightly noted, probably only in hindsight though, how the verse perfectly applies: "What doth it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Or what shall a man offer in exchange for his soul?".
After suffering demonic attacks from gurus that tried to terrorize him into staying in India, and comparing the violent light he saw to the Light that filled his spiritual vision through God's Grace by the Elder's prayers, he saw there was nothing to compare anymore. One was a Spirit of Truth, Comforter, Treasury of Good things and Giver of Life, which left him with peace and joy, while the other was darkness and rage. He left and returned to Mount Athos, where he was bestowed with spiritual gifts and had a demon cast out of him by the Holy Elder Paisos.
Henceforth he began to, slowly but surely, adopt the Orthodox Christian life, and find joy in the practice of the Jesus prayer, all the while being led by his spiritual father, Elder Paisos. The book really helps to make God: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit the singular desire of your heart, to want and love Him, rather than desire for reward, or fear of torment. It's a higher stage of spiritual life that can hardly be found in Western "Christianity's" moralism and intellectualism. He related many experiences and expositions on God's unconditional love for man, how it must be freely chosen rather than coerced, the beauty and grandeur of God's intention from the start, and the ultimate endless end of the Christian life - theosis.
May this book, particularly the last section on his beginning of Christian life, be as much of a blessing, eye-opener, and encouragement for you as it was for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2025
Honestly, I’m not quite sure how I felt about this book. The story and writing style didn’t really connect with me, and I found it hard to stay engaged at times. I don’t usually enjoy reading this type of writing, so it wasn’t exactly my cup of tea. Still, I can appreciate the author’s effort and the creativity behind it, it just wasn’t the kind of book that suited my personal taste.
June 5, 2025
How beautiful, illuminating, and edifying!
This memoir, reflecting over Dionysios’ journey from Hinduism, magic, and yoga towards Orthodoxy, has implanted in me a spark of inspiration for the faith.
I would emphatically recommend this to anyone curious about Christianity, or struggling with it.
This memoir, reflecting over Dionysios’ journey from Hinduism, magic, and yoga towards Orthodoxy, has implanted in me a spark of inspiration for the faith.
I would emphatically recommend this to anyone curious about Christianity, or struggling with it.
April 27, 2011
This book is really a spiritual classic for Orthodox Christians, non Christians may find the book offensive, not by it's intent but by the content. It is the spiritual journey of a Greek to the Orthodox Church. This journey makes it's way through the world of the occult and Indian Hinduism. It contrasts Orthodoxy and Hinduism through the authors experience. Much spiritual meet is here for the discerning reader.
October 10, 2022
This book is a really cool one about the faith that I would recommend to all my Orthodox friends (and anyone else who is interested in learning). The strength of this book is in the beautiful anecdotes about Elder Paisios, which are simply amazing to read. It became a bit tedious when the author starts to muse on the faith, but overall a beneficial read that taught me more about Elder Paisios and Christ-like love.
February 3, 2018
Not the typical Christian book against eastern religions saying everything is demonic with simplistic evidence.
The author tells his path between Orthodoxy and eastern religions and his travels in India, he explains in a detailed and realistic way his dilemmas and doubts.
Having been in a similar situation I can personally relate to what he says, and how he says it.
The author tells his path between Orthodoxy and eastern religions and his travels in India, he explains in a detailed and realistic way his dilemmas and doubts.
Having been in a similar situation I can personally relate to what he says, and how he says it.
May 3, 2013
A simple, straightforward memoir of a by turns beautiful and bizarre spiritual journey. It'll make you want to go live on Mt Athos.
December 8, 2020
Avem multe invataturi de tras de pe urma acestei carti.
August 25, 2024
Demult nu am fost atât de absorbita și frapată de o carte! Deși, autorul declara din start că nu este scriitor și nici nu are careva pretenții literare, am simpatizat cu scriitura lui. Sinceră, personala, firească, simțită, cercetată, măsurată, cu bun simț.
Aceasta este o carte autobiografică, scrisă sub pseudonim, al unui tânăr grec care se afla la răscrucea dintre doua direcții spirituale: orientală (prin hinduism, yoga, meditații, practici de control al minții) și creștin ortodoxa (prin rugăciune, participarea la sfintele Taine, studierea Scripturii). Din fragedă tinerețe, îl macină întrebări precum cine este, încotro se îndreaptă, care este sensul vieții, exista sau nu Dumnezeu. Negăsind răspunsul în cărți, ajunge sa-l caute prin practici de dezvoltare personala și spirituala. Experiența directă a spiritualității orientale prin călătoria lui în India, ii revelează niste lucruri uimitoare, dar îl aduce înapoi în Grecia demonizat, cu dureri fizice și probleme de personalitate. Disperat, caută ajutorul in Sfântul Munte Athos și îl găsește in persoana cuviosului părinte Paisie.
Cartea descrie amănunțit experiențe spirituale, atat din cele luminoase și înălțătoare, cât și din acelea întunecate și înfricoșătoare. Autorul face referire la evenimente, fenomene, personalități, grupări New Age reale, citează cu exactitate afirmații revelatoare ale marilor inițiați ai Indiei care se autoproclama zei și prin mijloace perfide atrag Occidentul in mrejele lor. Călătoria în lumea politeismului, închinării la zei, hipnotizarii in masă și a demonizaților incepe cu o inofensiva invitație la yoga sau o meditație de relaxare. Închideți ochii și noi va vom ghida ... Către ce sau cine, e întrebarea. Citiți cartea!
Aceasta este o carte autobiografică, scrisă sub pseudonim, al unui tânăr grec care se afla la răscrucea dintre doua direcții spirituale: orientală (prin hinduism, yoga, meditații, practici de control al minții) și creștin ortodoxa (prin rugăciune, participarea la sfintele Taine, studierea Scripturii). Din fragedă tinerețe, îl macină întrebări precum cine este, încotro se îndreaptă, care este sensul vieții, exista sau nu Dumnezeu. Negăsind răspunsul în cărți, ajunge sa-l caute prin practici de dezvoltare personala și spirituala. Experiența directă a spiritualității orientale prin călătoria lui în India, ii revelează niste lucruri uimitoare, dar îl aduce înapoi în Grecia demonizat, cu dureri fizice și probleme de personalitate. Disperat, caută ajutorul in Sfântul Munte Athos și îl găsește in persoana cuviosului părinte Paisie.
Cartea descrie amănunțit experiențe spirituale, atat din cele luminoase și înălțătoare, cât și din acelea întunecate și înfricoșătoare. Autorul face referire la evenimente, fenomene, personalități, grupări New Age reale, citează cu exactitate afirmații revelatoare ale marilor inițiați ai Indiei care se autoproclama zei și prin mijloace perfide atrag Occidentul in mrejele lor. Călătoria în lumea politeismului, închinării la zei, hipnotizarii in masă și a demonizaților incepe cu o inofensiva invitație la yoga sau o meditație de relaxare. Închideți ochii și noi va vom ghida ... Către ce sau cine, e întrebarea. Citiți cartea!
July 10, 2021
Finished just in time for St Paisios’ feast day on July 12.
This book was amazing. For me it cemented the reality of the fight between the powers of darkness (who we must always remember have already lost) and the holy and loving power of God.
Most of the book is simply a direct account of the author’s experiences with spiritualism, occultism, yoga, etc, as well as the author’s experiences with that shining ray of Orthodoxy, Elder Paisios. At the end he lends some analysis and a slightly more “theological” perspective to his experiences, talking about the differences between a mantra and the Jesus Prayer (which to be honest I did not realize were so fundamental), as well as the differences in the respect of free will between the demons (who strive to take control away from a person) and God (who will never coerce a person by fear or by beauty).
I think this book made me very aware of the way I think of religion and of Orthodoxy, and how Orthodoxy relates to the world. There is something so beautiful in a faith that promises the experience of the living God to all people as a gift of that God (not even dependent on one’s actions, which completely boggles the minds of not only Calvinists and the like but also me who grew up Orthodox). I forget that most people in the world do not have this promise, this expectation even, that when we invite Him, God not only actively participates in the world and in our lives but also draws us into union with Him.
Thank God!
This book was amazing. For me it cemented the reality of the fight between the powers of darkness (who we must always remember have already lost) and the holy and loving power of God.
Most of the book is simply a direct account of the author’s experiences with spiritualism, occultism, yoga, etc, as well as the author’s experiences with that shining ray of Orthodoxy, Elder Paisios. At the end he lends some analysis and a slightly more “theological” perspective to his experiences, talking about the differences between a mantra and the Jesus Prayer (which to be honest I did not realize were so fundamental), as well as the differences in the respect of free will between the demons (who strive to take control away from a person) and God (who will never coerce a person by fear or by beauty).
I think this book made me very aware of the way I think of religion and of Orthodoxy, and how Orthodoxy relates to the world. There is something so beautiful in a faith that promises the experience of the living God to all people as a gift of that God (not even dependent on one’s actions, which completely boggles the minds of not only Calvinists and the like but also me who grew up Orthodox). I forget that most people in the world do not have this promise, this expectation even, that when we invite Him, God not only actively participates in the world and in our lives but also draws us into union with Him.
Thank God!
September 30, 2025
What can I say? Thank you for sharing your story in such detail. This book opened my eyes to my own ignorance and arrogance about many issues, especially how rarely we question the sources of certain practices. The way God’s love and mercy shine throughout your journey is overwhelming and deeply beautiful. It touched me and led me to reflect on my own life again.
Elder Paisios truly feels like a gift to the world. His way of expressing spiritual teachings through lived experience carries so much power and clarity. This book flows wonderfully and is written with such grace.
May God bless you and continue to use you for the rest of your life.
Elder Paisios truly feels like a gift to the world. His way of expressing spiritual teachings through lived experience carries so much power and clarity. This book flows wonderfully and is written with such grace.
May God bless you and continue to use you for the rest of your life.
July 24, 2022
O carte cutremuratoare care prezinta in detaliu experientele unui simplu om din Atena.
Sfantul Cuvios Paisie Aghioritul imi este tare drag inimii si sunt constienta ce minunat a fost, dar aceasta carte mi-a prezentat si mai mult iubirea nemarginita pe care a avut-o pentru oricine ii calca pragul.
Nu stiu cum a reusit Dionysios sa isi descrie experientele personale cu atata ravna si sentiment; parca le-am trait odata cu el. Mi se pare de neimaginat la ce s-a expus constant, aproape ca incepeam sa nu il mai inteleg de ce continua sa ia aceleasi decizii.
Este o carte care prezinta in detaliu experientele in paralel cu ortodoxia si hinduismul.
Multe momente din carte (vedenii demonice, experiente supranaturale, trairi intense, metode de yoga extreme) m-au cutremurat si mi-au cauzat insomnii, atat de intens au fost descrise. Dar cu toate acestea, m-a si invatat multe.
O sa ma gandesc mult si bine la ce mi-a transmis aceasta carte si cred ca oricine e curios de tainele celor doua religii, merita sa o citeasca.
Sfantul Cuvios Paisie Aghioritul imi este tare drag inimii si sunt constienta ce minunat a fost, dar aceasta carte mi-a prezentat si mai mult iubirea nemarginita pe care a avut-o pentru oricine ii calca pragul.
Nu stiu cum a reusit Dionysios sa isi descrie experientele personale cu atata ravna si sentiment; parca le-am trait odata cu el. Mi se pare de neimaginat la ce s-a expus constant, aproape ca incepeam sa nu il mai inteleg de ce continua sa ia aceleasi decizii.
Este o carte care prezinta in detaliu experientele in paralel cu ortodoxia si hinduismul.
Multe momente din carte (vedenii demonice, experiente supranaturale, trairi intense, metode de yoga extreme) m-au cutremurat si mi-au cauzat insomnii, atat de intens au fost descrise. Dar cu toate acestea, m-a si invatat multe.
O sa ma gandesc mult si bine la ce mi-a transmis aceasta carte si cred ca oricine e curios de tainele celor doua religii, merita sa o citeasca.
October 29, 2025
Potent Quotables:
“The devil doesn't want people to know that he exists, because it's easier for him to fight them if they're unaware of his existence. You don't protect yourself from an enemy unless you realize he exists. But once you've detected him, there's no reason for him to hide, so he then fights you out in the open.” Saint Paisios
Those whose education is merely scientific, though they might gain some knowledge about the outer shell of reality, will never be able to pry open the lid of materialism and existentially enter the pure waters of true life. Others pass their days cut off from the truth about life, moving in imaginary worlds of their own creation, believing, in their pride and self centeredness, that the creations of their minds are the highest of all goods. They worship their ideas and order their lives around them, turning their own mind into their god, and so they live within a lie, in the darkness of their hypotheses, their theories, and their ignorance. Since all these egotistically believe in themselves, they are unable to make spiritual progress. Since they consider themselves to be superior to everyone else, they can't humble themselves to receive the truth from Christ. These unfortunate souls may foolishly try to fill their emptiness with material goods… They may try to comfort themselves through sensual pleasures. Those who experience and live within the most profound mystery of this world are the pure and simple of heart, who resemble babes in their humility, guilelessness, and goodness. They are the ones who will come into contact with true life and the fountain of life. They are like green trees bearing the fruit of life, light, and the truth - and this fruit, rather than material goods, is their wealth.
“Don't give too much weight to these kinds of things or spend a lot of time investigating them, because there's always the danger that the devil's tricking you. If something is from God and you ignore it in order to be spiritually careful, God is so good that He'll find another way to speak to you that's even more obvious.” Saint Paisios
In [the man from Holland’s] Protestant surroundings, what passed for Christian faith was a watered-down mixture of moralism and humanism. My statements were based on experiencing the Holy Spirit and the grace of Christ, while his position was based on the experience of a rationalistic Protestant Christianity, a Christianity cut off, tragically, from the ancient Church of Christ, and deprived of its wisdom and mysteries.
[Saint Paisios] used to say, “The devil isn't able to hide in a sack for long, since some horn will always show through the sack. But if you ask him, ‘What's that sticking out?’ he'll answer, ‘Oh that's not a horn; it's an eggplant.’” In other words, if evil showed itself for what it really was, everyone would flee from it for fear of being harmed. It has to be camouflaged and appear to be beautiful and good, so that people will accept it; and, in the same way, people engaged in evil have to act as though they are virtuous, so that they won't alienate others. This is why Christ openly rebuked the Pharisees, the supposedly virtuous men of biblical times.
Although I didn't advance very far at all into the darkness, I was able to feel the depths of its evil ocean. I could understand the very essence of the enticing power of sin to tempt, as well as its laughable powerlessness, utter dependence, and shadowy nonexistence. The darkness, I saw, is fearsome when it has won you over, but it is absurd and feeble when you reject it - it cannot defeat even a small child if he does not fall on his own. In the same way, I didn't advance far into the light - only, so to speak, skating its edge - but even there I felt confident and comforted by a fullness of life, peace, joy, and knowledge. The light loved me greatly in spite of my unworthiness and granted me its gifts, gifts I never dreamed existed. At this point, I realized that the light created the world and every living being. The existential space in which each person dwells is itself a creation fashioned by the light, which also fills and permeates these spaces. One being decided to stay outside of the existential space created by the light, thus creating a sort of space for itself, though only by denying the light, turning from it, and driving it away. The darkness has no existence of its own, but only in that it denies the ever-existing and sovereign light. That is to say, the existence of the darkness would have been impossible without the existence of the light; though the light had no need of the darkness for existence, for its existence is self-sufficient. The light respected the free decision of its creation to reject it, and so kept its distance. In this way, a dark existential space made its appearance - the darkness, in this sense, became a reality. The darkness resulted from the inclination of a conscious being, called Satan, who chose such a form of existence though he had no reason to. And this denial made the darkness a reality. Although this act of denial may have resembled God's act of creation, it was not creation, but an imitation of creation performed in reverse. That is, the devil tried to behave like God, but, since he did not have the ability to create on his own, he was only capable of denying God's creation, energies, light, and grace. He pulled away from the very borders of reality and made nonexistence a way of being, thus creating death and darkness. For, until that time, there was neither death nor darkness, but all things were filled with light and life. Just as the light's love wishes to unite all things, being the source of existence and creation, so the hatred of the darkness wants to divide all things, being the source of nonexistence and destruction. Just as the light extends out into the infinite beyond, so the darkness seems to extend into its infinite beyond. Just as there is a grandeur about the simple, yet infinite light of God, with all His attributes and energies, so there is a certain grandeur about the blunt, yet apparently infinite darkness of the devil, with all his deep-rooted and ferocious self-destructiveness, full of a stubborn and manic rage.
March 22, 2015
A very sincere autobiography of one's man journey from western occult practices and new-age hindu spirituality to his own authentic tradition through Elder Paisios in a small skete in Mt.Athos. Although appropriate for an orthodox reader, those with some level of familiarity with the richness of the mystical hindu tradition and it's production of centuries of spiritually accomplished men, will find this work problematic. One wonders whether sheer bad luck landed 'Dionysios' in the repeated hands of false gurus that have proliferated modern india. Could things have been different if he had found an authentic hindu master who could have directed him back to Elder Paisios? Although a great read, I left the book wishing for a more different but beautiful ending: reaching the beauty of greek orthodoxy without repudiating/maligning the truth in the 'other.'
May 19, 2025
Almost unbelievable for the common western Christian who has been raised in hollow materialism and a God who only represents himself in symbols, this young man experienced the journey to God in ways so powerful that the reader is left wondering if it is true. However his writing demonstrates a love for Christ that is so sincere and so strong you realize that his only desire is for the reader to experience the joy and peace he has. The Orthodox Church is a treasure trove of true faith and the miracles of Christ still being lived out in our day, unchanged for over 2000 years. It would be hard, after reading this book, not to want to at least investigate what we in the west have been missing in our faith and culture.
March 16, 2018
A remarkably profound book about a young man's perilous journey caught between eastern religion and Eastern Orthodoxy, guided by the interactions of St. Paisios of Mount Athos. It's not a book filled with grand theological musings, yet through the author's interactions with the beloved Elder, the love of Christ radiates through the pages and conveys the message of the Gospel simply and powerfully.
Also important in this book is the contrast between Christianity and popular religious practices today, such as Yoga, Meditation, and a plethora of eastern religions. It's a rare contrast, but it is an increasingly important one as these practices take hold in certain aspects of the West.
Also important in this book is the contrast between Christianity and popular religious practices today, such as Yoga, Meditation, and a plethora of eastern religions. It's a rare contrast, but it is an increasingly important one as these practices take hold in certain aspects of the West.
July 14, 2020
Dionysios' life story is something of a mystery, but so is faith. This is a tale of a sole Greek youth's foray into juxtaposing Orthodoxy and mysticism (yoga, white magic, etc). The findings reveal a vast richness to the Orthodox faith. In contrast, the other disciplines betray a pedantic and self-aggrandizing lifestyle. There are truly miraculous and difficult to grasp events in this book, and so it stretches your mind. The story is ultimately biased, but it's biased toward what I think and believe. I would recommend this book to someone who is interested in a very discrete data point in the universe of religious thought.
November 29, 2022
Amazing journey
This is just so full of truths, and I'm still trying to digest. As a former neopagan going through catechism, so much of this hit home. Watching the progression of the author through India and his constant desire for truth and to intellectually examine faith was enlightening. I was simultaneously berating the author for trying another ashram, another mantra, to see if the result was different while knowing that I've done the same thing, fallen prey to the same seduction of the mystical. In the end, it is an extremely uplifting and faith affirming book.
This is just so full of truths, and I'm still trying to digest. As a former neopagan going through catechism, so much of this hit home. Watching the progression of the author through India and his constant desire for truth and to intellectually examine faith was enlightening. I was simultaneously berating the author for trying another ashram, another mantra, to see if the result was different while knowing that I've done the same thing, fallen prey to the same seduction of the mystical. In the end, it is an extremely uplifting and faith affirming book.
June 30, 2023
This was an amazing book...definitely gives you a lot to think about, and while some parts were a little creepy, it didn't keep me from sleep at night, which I had been worried about. Elder Paisios...I felt extremely joyful when reading about him. I did wish that the author hadn't mentioned a few things that he did mention, but aside from that I consider it very worthwhile to read, and will probably re-read it in the future.
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