Functions and Forms of Verbality in Spiritual Practices and Practices Related to Them ⁹⁶⁹

Functions and forms, in which the verb is used in spiritual practices and practices related closely to them are analyzed systematically. The following classes of prac¬tices are considered: 1) Eastern-Orthodox hesychasm, 2) Hellenistic practices of the Self (practices of the Roman Stoicism, Cynism and Epicureanism) as they are interpreted by Michel Foucault, 3) Far-Eastern practices as they are represented in Zen-Buddhism. The problem of the sacred word in spiritual practice is discussed. A number of comparative observations and conclusions are obtained concerning, in particular, "hot" and "cool" practices and corresponding kinds of verbality, typolog¬ical distinctions of verbality in Eastern and Western anthropological practices, etc.

Keywords: verbality, spiritual practices, synergic anthropology, hesychasm, repen¬tance, prayer, Name-praising, inner speech, communication, practice of the self, parrhesia, spiritual exercises, Zen, satori

Column: Theology and Anthropology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/cpp.2014220503