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'''Hesychasm''' is a [[mystical]] tradition of experiential [[prayer]] in the [[Orthodox Church]]. It is described in great detail in the [[Philokalia]], ^{''citation needed''} a compilation of what various [[saints]] wrote about prayer and the spiritual life.

St. [[Theophan the Recluse]] once related that body postures and breathing techniques were virtually forbidden in his youth, since, instead of gaining the [[Holy Spirit|Spirit of God]], people succeeded only "in ruining their lungs."{{Citation ^{''citation needed}}''}

Hesychasm was defended theologically by [[Gregory Palamas]] at about [[Ninth Ecumenical Council|three separate "Hesychast Synods" in Constantinople]] from 1341 to 1351. St. Gregory was asked to by his fellow monks on [[Mount Athos|Mt. Athos]] to defend it from the attacks of [[Barlaam of Calabria]], who advocated a more intellectualist approach to prayer.{{Citation ^{''citation needed}}''}

Hesychastic practice bears some superficial resemblance to mystical prayer or meditation in Eastern religions (e.g., Buddhism and Hinduism, especially Yoga), although this similarity is often overly emphasized in popular accounts. While some{{Citation needed}} might compare it with a mantra, to use the Jesus Prayer in such a fashion is to violate its purpose. One is never to treat it as a string of syllables for which the "surface" meaning is secondary. Likewise, hollow repetition is considered to be worthless (or even spiritually damaging) in the hesychast tradition.{{Citation ^{''citation needed}}''}