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

This book explores the personal practices and group rituals for monitoring and training the thoughts of disciples in early Christian monastic communities.

Paul C. Dilley (Author)

9781107184015, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 7 September 2017

360 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.3 cm, 0.66 kg

'… Dilley's monograph makes a valuable contribution to the field of the history of emotions … The study is therefore to be highly recommended to researchers in the fields of history of emotions as it intersects with religious studies and classics.' Eduard Iricinschi, EHCS Journal

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.

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.

Subject Areas: Cognitivism, cognitive theory [JMAQ], Christian communities & monasticism [HRCX8], Christian worship, rites & ceremonies [HRCR], Church history [HRCC2], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA]