Way of the Ascetics: The Ancient Tradition of Discipline and Inner Growth [Paperback]

Tito Colliander (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1985

Written for lay persons living in the world, this is an excellent resource for daily meditation, spiritual guidance and a revitalized religious life. Succinct yet profound extracts from the Fathers, with commentary.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Swedish (translation)

Product Details

• Paperback: 110 pages
• Publisher: St Vladimirs Seminary Pr (April 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881410497
• ISBN-13: 978-0881410495
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #607,503 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A spiritual wake-up call, June 17, 2000

By 

matt - See all my reviews

This review is from: Way of the Ascetics: The Ancient Tradition of Discipline and Inner Growth (Paperback)

This little gem has found its way into the lives of thousands and bears a great return in communion with the Holy Trinity. Kierkegaard said that purity of heart is to will one thing. Through the grace of God it is a realisitc hope to purify the heart. Liturgy, Eucharist, almsgiving,etc are all means to this end. Colliander's book helps the seeker tune the inner life to the will of God though the groundwork of prayer and practical asceticism. One thing that is so winsome about it is that he doesn't hold spiritual carrots out to the reader without giving real guidance in how to grow in holiness. As with any book on such a serious topic, DO NOT read it for spiritual titulation. Take it seriously in the love of God. This is reality.

Check out "Encountering the Depths" by Mother Mary Clare and "The Orthodox Way" by Bishop Kallistos Ware. They've been a great help to many!

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent outline of life!, November 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Way of the Ascetics: The Ancient Tradition of Discipline and Inner Growth (Paperback)

This is a convicting look into the heart of the animal called "man." Colliander gives us a model of self examination and discipline which has been useful to me in my several years of preaching and teaching. There are goals of holiness here that are so solid, that if attained, heaven would start to shine through.

I would recommend this book to anyone who desires a more holy heart.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life Changing, if You Let It, May 10, 2006

By 

Orothar - See all my reviews

This review is from: Way of the Ascetics: The Ancient Tradition of Discipline and Inner Growth (Paperback)

I would list this among the top 10 spiritual works written during the 20th Century.

As a Protestant encountering Eastern Christianity's unique ascetic tradition for the first time, this book provided invaluable insight into the meaning of the Gospel for our daily life.

By the time I finished it I was a Catechumen (one preparing for reception into the Orthodox Church).

If you decide to read it, first, open your mind to a different perspective on topics like fasting, prayer, alms giving, and worship. You'll find yourself continually revisiting New Testament passages like the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5 - 7) and even Leviticus shows up in a new light... Even if you never set foot in an Orthodox Church this book can provide a tremendous depth to your spiritual life.

The style is very direct and hard hitting, but not in an angry, argumentative way. It's extremely humble, while being up front and honest about what it is that we face in our battle against the oppression of death and sin in our life.

This book provides a basic roadmap, an outline, for how to free oneself from this oppression, both in act and mind.

At the same time, the author presents an asceticism that isn't extreme (no running off and locking yourself in a box for 20 years, or refusing to sleep ever again). Instead, it is extremely practical and straightforward - designed for people living in the world.

The last chapter even states that we are expected to live, more or less, like normal people - going to work, paying bills, eating and drinking, laughing and loving. Instead, however, by purifying ourselves of our attachment to all these things - by being free of the need for them - we free our mind and heart to be devoted to God. When that happens - and it's a process that spans a lifetime - everything becomes an act of love for God, which means that even the "normal" actions of life become pure and holy things.

I'm not nearly as articulate as the author - so please pick up and read this wonderful book. If you let it, it can change your life for the better.