Resumen de Gregory Palamas' theo-anthropology and mysticism according to the philokalia: their relevance to religious life in Asia
This thesis studies the anthropology, theology, and mysticism of Gregory Palamas according to the Philokalia with a view to offering Asian Religious men and women a Christian foundation for the revitalization of mysticism and asceticism in their spiritual life; a Christian perspective to approach the Asian spiritual traditions and to appreciate their theo-anthropological tenets, basic ascetic practices, meditation methods, spiritual goals, and mystical testimonies;
and, in dialogue with Asian spiritualities, a way to envision Asian Religious life that is both faithful to the Christian tradition and rooted in the Asian cultural and spiritual milieu.
The Church in Asia, especially through the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC) and the Special Assembly for Asia of the Synod of Bishops [1998), understands its mission as fundamentally a threefold dialogue with the cultures, the religions, and the poor of Asia. Moreover, it believes that this dialogue has to be at the level of depth. Accordingly, it seeks to encounter the peoples of other religious traditions in their inmost selves, fathom their deepest longings, share in their profoundest experiences, struggle with them towards total human liberation, and journey with them towards the Fullness of Life and Love. Hence, it involves a dialogue on the level of religious experience, which means immersion into the Asian spiritual traditions.
In view of its triple dialogue in depth, the Church in Asia envisages itself, above all, as a witnessing and a praying community. In this connection, it particularly asks Religious to bear witness to their transforming and liberating experience of God in Jesus Christ; to revitalize the Christian contemplative and ascetical traditions; to exercise the ministry of spiritual guidance; and to engage in in-depth dialogue with the monks and faithful of other religious traditions. Concerned with these concrete demands, the thesis wishes to assist the Asian religious re-discover the rich mystical and ascetic resources of Christianity; present to them authentically Christian anthropological and theological foundations for ascetic and meditation practices; and provide them a Christian perspective to understand the ideals, beliefs, concepts, symbols, methods, and practices of Asian spiritual traditions that are apparently similar to those of Christianity. Moreover, with the conviction that a renewed vision of the Asian Church necessitates a renewed vision of Asian Religious life, the thesis wishes to contribute in the theo-anthropological and spiritual reflection towards a Religious life in Asia that is faithfully Christian and truly Asian.
