The Greek term hesychia (ἡσυχία, ) is a concept that can be translated as "stillness, rest, quiet, silence".
In Christianity
In the Eastern Orthodox Christian mystical tradition of
hesychasm, hesychia refers to a state of stillness and peace that is obtained through extreme ascetical struggle, prayer, and the constant contemplation of God. The attainment of hesychia is a central theme discussed in hesychast literature.
Chapter 2 of the Systematic Sayings of the Desert Fathers is dedicated to the topic of hesychia.
In Neoplatonism
The term is also used in
Neoplatonism texts such as the
Enneads.
Other languages
Equivalent terms in other languages include
Syriac language shelya (
šelya).
See also
