Headings on Spiritual Knowledge: The Second Part, Chapters 1-3

By: St. Isaac of Nineveh

Narrated by: Victor Clarke

St Isaac of Nineveh (7th c.), or Isaac the Syrian, is renowned for his spiritual writings. After only five months as bishop of Nineveh, he returned to a life of solitary stillness in the desert of modern-day Iran. His Spiritual Homilies (homilies 1-6 in PPS 11) quickly became treasured throughout the Christian world, not only inspiring monastic and spiritual life through the ages, but influencing culture more broadly, as in the works of Dostoevsky.

Yet many of Isaac’s works were lost for centuries. Scholars recently rediscovered the “Second Part” of his corpus in 1983. This volume translates the first three chapters of the Second Part, whose third chapter contains the Kephalaia Gnostika (or Headings on Spiritual Knowledge). They appear here for the first time in a complete English translation.

Inspired by Evagrius’ work by the same name, Isaac composed the Headings as four centuries—that is, four sets of one hundred sayings or headings—on the spiritual life. These were “written above the lines in various places,” seemingly as a commentary or expansion upon the Spiritual Homilies (the “First Part”). Isaac discloses the realities of prayer and spiritual experience from their beginning to their most sublime heights and profound depths. The SVS Press audiobook program is sponsored by The Orthodox Vision Foundation.

©2022 St Vladimir's Seminary Press (P)2023 St Vladimir's Seminary Press

Excellent ascetical writings & spiritual counsel by one of Christianity's greatest mystics and fathers

This is a great selection of St. Isaac's writings that delves into his spiritual advice, largely intended for fellow solitaries and monastics but still by and large applicable to varying degrees for all Christians and those seeking to lead a true spiritual life, from the heightsof mystical contemplation to the strict counsels for daily life. The reader provides an appropriately dispassionate voice.

problems with recording

The audio book halted in Chapter 3/3 and I was unable to listen to the remainder of the book.