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Abba Philimon, who
apparently lived around the sixth century in Egypt. Except for one text
(part of which is excerpted here), there are no other writings by Abba
Philimon and we have no other references to him beyond the text itself.
However, his text is important for its long passages on inward meditation
and watchfulness. It is also interesting to note that the Jesus Prayer is
first cited by Abba Philimon in the form we know it today: "Lord Jesus
Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me."
A brother named John
came from the coast to Father Philimon and, clasping his feet, said to him:
"What shall I do to be saved? For my intellect vacillates to and fro and
strays after all the wrong things." After a pause, the father replied:
"This is one of the outer passions and it stays with you because you still
have not acquired a perfect longing for God. The warmth of this longing and
of the knowledge of God has not yet come to you." The brother said to him:
"What shall I do, father?" Abba Philimon replied: "Meditate inwardly for a
while, deep in your heart; for this can cleanse your intellect of these
things." The brother, not understanding what was said, asked the Elder:
"What is inward meditation, father?" The Elder replied: "Keep watch in your
heart; and with watchfulness say in your mind with awe and trembling: "Lord
Jesus Christ, have mercy
upon me." For this is the advice which the blessed Diadochos gave to
beginners."
The brother departed; and with the help of God and the Elder's prayers
he found stillness and for a while was filled with sweetness by this
meditation. But then it suddenly left him and he could not practice it or
pray watchfully. So he went again to the Elder and told him what had
happened. And the Elder said to him: "You have had a brief taste of
stillness and inner work, and have experienced the sweetness that comes from
them. This is what you should always be doing in your heart: whether eating
or drinking, in company or outside your cell, or on a journey, repeat that
prayer with a watchful mind and an undeflected intellect; also chant, and
meditate on prayers and psalms. Even when carrying out needful tasks, do
not let your intellect be idle but keep it meditating inwardly and praying.
For in this way you can grasp the depths of divine Scripture and the power
hidden in it, and give unceasing work to the intellect, thus fulfilling the
apostolic command: "Pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17). Pay
strict attention to your
heart and watch over it, so that it does not give admittance to thoughts
that are evil or in any way vain and useless. Without interruption, whether
asleep or awake, eating, drinking, or in company, let your heart inwardly
and mentally at time be meditating on the psalms, at other times be
repeating the prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me."
And when you chant, make sure that your mouth is not saying one
thing while your mind is thinking about another."
Again the brother
said: "In my sleep I see many vain fantasies." And the Elder said to him:
"Don't be sluggish or neglectful. Before going to sleep, say many prayers
in your
heart, fight against evil thoughts and don't be deluded by the devil's
demands; then God will receive you into His presence. If you possibly can,
sleep only after reciting the psalms and after inward meditation. Don't be
caught off your guard, letting your mind admit strange thoughts; but lie
down meditating on the thought of your prayer, so that when you sleep it may
be conjoined with you and when you awake it may commune
with you (Proverbs 6:22). Also, recite the holy Creed of the Orthodox faith
before you fall asleep. For true belief in God is the source and guard of
all blessings."
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