The first English translation of this foundational collection of fourth and fifth century texts by the spiritual masters of the Greek Orthodox Christian tradition. The Philokalia is a collection of texts written between the fourth and the fifteenth centuries by spiritual masters of the Orthodox Christian tradition. First published in Greek in 1782, translated into Slavonic and later into Russian, The Philokalia has exercised an influence far greater than that of any book other than the Bible in the recent history of the Orthodox Church during the last two centuries: and it continues to be read more and more widely. Only a selection of texts from The Philokalia has been available hitherto in English. This is the first complete translation into English from the original Greek in five volumes, the first of which was published by Faber in 1979. It is concerned with themes of universal importance: how we may develop our inner powers and awake from illusion; how we may overcome fragmentation and achieve spiritual wholeness; how we may attain the life of contemplative stillness and union with God. As in the first two volumes, the editors have provided introductory notes to each of the writers, a glossary of key terms, and a detailed index.