Balance of the Heart: Desert Spirituality for Twenty-First-Century Christians

by Lois Farag

Desert spirituality speaks to the mind and heart. It is a spirituality that helps us balance our work and daily obligations and figure out our priorities and the place of God in our lives. Desert spirituality addresses our most intimate thoughts and helps us analyze the roots of our spiritual setbacks. Its essence is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matt 22:37). Starting in fourth-century Egypt, desert spirituality has become a global phenomenon. It has endured through the centuries because it is practical and simple; it tells us how to live out Scripture in our daily lives. It is also profound; it is deeply rooted in the theology of the incarnation and the renewal of creation by the resurrection. The desert fathers and mothers left us short wisdom sayings, revealing their inner experience in their long journey toward being with God. They speak about Scripture and prayer, but also about how to love our neighbors, discern our thoughts, and evaluate our daily activities. Come, learn from these desert dwellers as they teach us about the examination of thoughts, the discernment of the soul, and the balance of the heart.

“The desert fathers and mothers took to the margins of society to refocus our attention on what really matters. They expressed radical lifestyles so their experiences could bear fruit. They renounced everything in order to learn how to love everyone. And they went to extremes to restore the balance of the heart. This book is another reminder of their relevance and importance in every age, especially ours.”
—John Chryssavgis, author of In the Heart of the Desert

“Farag is correct when she says that through ‘presentation of the inner spiritual experience of the desert fathers and mothers the reader will discover they are closer to us than we think.’ The great virtue of Balance of the Heart is how Farag focuses our attention on the ipsissima verba, the very words, of the desert mothers and fathers. Early monastic spirituality is alive and well, and even life-changing, in this book. I highly recommend it.”
—Tim Vivian, Co-director, Institute for Religion, Education, & Public Policy (IREPP)

Lois M. Farag is Associate Professor of Early Church History at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. She is the author of St. Cyril of Alexandria: A New Testament Exegete (2007).

Genres: Religion

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 6, 2012

Reviews

[Mark Rizk Farag · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the perfect introduction to reading the Sayings of the Desert Fathers. The first half or so of the book contextualises them, describing the monastic movement within the history and culture of Egypt and early Christendom, describing its key figures and describing their theology. This is really helpful because some of the views of the desert fathers come across very radical and even self effacing, We then move on to brief biographies of key figures such as Saint Antony, Saint Macarius and even a section describing the influence of Athanasian theology - particularly the incarnation and the crucifixion on these monastic communities.

We then move on to a description of the virtues these monastics aspired to and cultivated, including love of others, discernment, asceticism, prayer without ceasing and so on. Each of these is described by the author using terminology from the desert fathers and then explained with reference to the Bible. The author then considers how these can be applied, not the deserts of Egypt and Palestine in the Roman era, but in our modern 21st century lives.

This book is extremely helpful in dispelling a few unhelpful views I held about the desert fathers and mothers. FIrstly, they did work and believed that they should be self sufficient and even engage in charity. Secondly, they did not see asceticism as a goal, but a means to an end and actually seemed to see it as very much inferior to other virtues. Thirdly, their words were not meant to be applied to all or even intended as absolute, as different fathers and mothers would not only give different advice to one another, but different advice to different people.

The beauty and deep soirituality and wisdom within this book (written by an Egyptian monastic about her own spiritual ancestors) is hard to describe, but I ended up highlighting so much of the book and it made me think about my own life,faith and behaviour.

Having now read the introduction to 'The Sayings of the Desert Fathers' by Benedicta Ward, I must say that I am so glad I read this book first as the former is deeply underwhelming. In comparison to this book, Ward describes the fathers almost solely in relation to Western ideas and monasticism, describes them as primitive at times, and detaches them quite artificially both from the time period they lived in, and their culture and faith.

Highly recommended for all Christians - but particularly Copts during Lent.

[Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read on early Christian monasticism. Helpfully organized by theme, I feel that the sayings of the desert fathers/mothers presented and elaborated upon by Farag are helpful for anyone trying to keep a clear head; not just those interested in a specifically Christian practice. Farag also takes pains to illustrate how the theory and practice of monks was not just applied to those living in desert solitude, but also people at the edge and even in the center of urban civilization. Simply a great read for anyone interested in early Christian practices and open to advice on how to live better.

[Grisha Prorokov · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish there was more on history of the desert monasticism in the book (parts about it were interesting), and less vague (and, very neoliberal, in fact, so ignoring all of the real systemic problems in the world) preaching and watered-down self-help instructions.

[Sirch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is your spritual journey getting confusing and tiring? Then read this book.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent look into the early desert fathers and how they can guide us in leading a balanced life in Christ today.

[Dwight Penas · Rating 5 out of 5]

One is never finished with this book -- or with the collections of writings by the Desert Ammas and Abbas. But this is a very good book to integrate those ancient writings with the contemporary world.