Monasteries and the Care of Souls in Late Antique Christianity: Cognition and Discipline

by: Dilley, P.C.

Price: 39,90 EURO

1 copy in stock

In Monasteries and the Care of Souls in Late Antique Christianity, Paul C. Dilley explores the personal practices and group rituals through which the thoughts of monastic disciples were monitored and trained to purify the mind and help them achieve salvation. Dilley draws widely on the interdisciplinary field of cognitive studies, especially anthropology, in his analysis of key monastic 'cognitive disciplines', such as meditation on scripture, the fear of God, and prayer. In addition, various rituals distinctive to communal monasticism, including entrance procedures, the commemoration of founders, and collective repentance, are given their first extended analysis. Participants engaged in 'heart-work' on their thoughts and emotions, which were understood to reflect the community's spiritual state. This book will be of interest to scholars of early Christianity and the ancient world more generally for its detailed description of communal monastic culture and its innovative methodology.

Demonstrates the central significance of monitoring and regulating thoughts in the early monastic care of souls, exploring institutional procedures and personal practices
Makes use of cognitive studies to enlighten our understanding of key monastic activities, including meditation, prayer, and the fear of God
Analyses a number of important early Coptic texts, many of which are offered in English for the first time, alongside more familiar works in the Greek and Latin monastic traditions

Table of Contents
Part I. Evaluating Postulants: Introduction to Part I
1. Discerning motivation I: status and vocation
2. Discerning motivation II: trials of commitment
Part II. Cognitive Disciplines: Introduction to Part II
3. Scriptural exercises and the monastic soundscape: writing on the heart
4. Learning the fear of God
5. Prayer and monastic progress: from demonic temptation to divine revelation
Part III. Collective Heart-Work: Introduction to Part III
6. The lives (and minds) of others: hagiography, cognition, and commemoration
7. Shenoute and the heart of darkness: rituals of collective repentance
Conclusion.

Monasteries and the Care of Souls in Late Antique Christianity: Cognition and Discipline

by: Dilley, P.C.

• ISBN-13: 9781316635322 / 978-1-316-63532-2
• ISBN-03: 1316635325 / 1-316-63532-5
• Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2021

Price: 39,90 EURO

1 copy in stock