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134th out of 216 books
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373 voters
John Climacus: The Ladder of Divine Ascent (The Classics of Western Spirituality)
John Climacus (c. 579-649) was abbot of the monastery of Catherine on Mount Sinai. His Ladder was the most widely used handbook of the ascetical life in the ancient Greek Church.
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
December 12th 1988
by Paulist Press
(first published October 1st 1982)
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This cannot be titles or surnamed a book..
This work is a way of Life...meant for monks,but as Christians
are we not all to live as religious?
In an upward ascent i read this daily to instill what is not or to ask for perfection
in something that has been hardened by sin...
St John Climacus i feel put his life into this work as it is one of few he wrote.
I HIGHLY SUGGEST THIS especially for all Christians
Daily reading
This work is a way of Life...meant for monks,but as Christians
are we not all to live as religious?
In an upward ascent i read this daily to instill what is not or to ask for perfection
in something that has been hardened by sin...
St John Climacus i feel put his life into this work as it is one of few he wrote.
I HIGHLY SUGGEST THIS especially for all Christians
Daily reading
Nov 18, 2010
Samantha Penrose
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommended to Samantha by:
R.K.
Shelves:
too-awful-to-finish
ugh. It's taking me sooooooo loooooonnnngggg to read this --- BECAUSE IT SUCKS SO HARD!
This man's philosophy on how to live your life (if you are a monk that it) is the antithesis of everything I believe! He promotes good intentioned shaming, he is down on family, he advocates silence and detatchment...
Excerpt;
The man who really loves the Lord, who has made a real effort to find the future Kingdom, who is really pained by his sins, who is really mindful of eternal torment and judgement, who rea...more
This man's philosophy on how to live your life (if you are a monk that it) is the antithesis of everything I believe! He promotes good intentioned shaming, he is down on family, he advocates silence and detatchment...
Excerpt;
The man who really loves the Lord, who has made a real effort to find the future Kingdom, who is really pained by his sins, who is really mindful of eternal torment and judgement, who rea...more
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One of the most revered works of theology and devotion in the Eastern Christian world, it is read in monasteries in the Eastern Churches every Lent, and is one of the most compelling, beautiful works of its type I have ever read. St. John takes you into the heart of the Christian mystery, and despite the fact that it was written for monks, its wisdom is really for everyone.
PHENOMENAL! If one wants to truly dissect ones' sins and see how our fallen humanity inclines itself, I would highly suggest this book. Metropolitan Timothy Ware has awesome insight in his preface as well. In the Orthodox Church, this is the second Bible for monastics. Get this book.
Forgive me a sinner,
Lawson
Forgive me a sinner,
Lawson
Meant for monks, it is nonetheless full of helpful advice and encouragement for anyone on the path. A true masterpiece that deserves to be read many times. The further you progress the more it will mean to you - and I would dare even suggest that the more this work rings true and speaks to you, the further along you are. At any stage, though, this is profitable reading!
Apr 09, 2013
Christopher Neill
added it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Monastics and people reading under guidence
This is a great book but frankly not recommended for idle study. It is aimed at monastics in the context of Orthodox living, it is not a western self-help manual.
One of the greatest spiritual manuals out side the holy Scriptures, read with care, remember this was written for monks not lay people but the greatest of treasure may be detected from these pages.
Phenomenal.
Parts of this rather dated manuscript are inapplicable to secular life, but it contains many inspired passages. Useful for those of us who seek to justify our lonely, ascetic existences.
A wonderful read during the Lenten season as John Climacus guides monastics on their ladder of theosis.
In a study group for this book. Proceeding at less than 1 chapter per week. This will take some time.
Sep 16, 2008
Eric
marked it as to-read
I'm actually reading a version by the monks of Holy Transfiguration Monastery (Boston, 1979).
May 16, 2013
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“Fight to escape from your own cleverness. If you do, then you will find salvation and uprightness through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
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