Archim. Polycarp Chitulescu: Can young people read the Philokalia?
If people start praying, they will be enlightened, they will have a good balance in everything they do, and more than this, they will have joy - because, in reality, this is what is lacking.
Translated by Grig Gheorghiu
Question:
Father Polycarp, if you were to introduce a young person in today’s world to the Philokalia, if you were to invite a young person to discover the Philokalia, what would you do?
Archim. Polycarp:
Yes, this is something I see often. Before handing people the Philokalia, I myself need to tell them something from the Philokalia so they can fall in love with it. But in fact, the most important advice I give people is this: if someone wants to learn self-mastery over one’s thoughts, over one’s life; if someone wants to be still; if someone wants to have time to enjoy this life - then one needs to start praying. If people start praying, they will be enlightened, they will have a good balance in everything they do, and more than this, they will have joy - because, in reality, this is what is lacking.
Young people, in particular, are more tempted to consume these momentary joys, from buying things excessively (clothes and other things) to drinking, using drugs, and many other addictions - because we live in an age of addictions for which we urgently need to find answers. And this inclination towards objects and material things shows an underlying unhappiness, internal dissatisfaction, and a lack of meaning.
When people start praying, many say they no longer need other things. When you start praying, you no longer set an essential value on food, drink, things to buy, useless friendships - on everything that burdens you. And little by little, people realize this is good for them because, after all, Orthodoxy is not a religion, but it is the path of healing and of union with Christ - these two paths are complementary.