Oh! ChatGPT3.5 knows the Philokalia. I read through it the long way a few decades ago.
The Philokalia is a compilation of texts from various authors, so here is a brief summary of some of the main contributors and their themes:
1. Evagrius Ponticus – a monk and ascetic who wrote extensively on the practice of contemplative prayer, the nature of sin, and the struggle against temptations.
2. St. Maximus the Confessor – a theologian and monk who wrote about the relationship between God and humanity, the nature of the soul, and the mystical experience of God.
3. St. Symeon the New Theologian – a mystic who emphasized the importance of experiencing God’s presence directly through prayer and contemplation, and who wrote about the stages of spiritual growth and the struggle against sin.
4. St. Gregory Palamas – an archbishop and theologian who wrote about the distinction between the essence and energies of God, and how the human person can experience union with God through prayer and the sacraments.
5. St. Peter of Damaskos – a monk and writer who focused on the practice of hesychasm, a form of contemplative prayer that emphasizes stillness and silence as a means of encountering God.
These authors, along with others, contributed to the themes of prayer, contemplation, and mystical experience in the Philokalia, and their writings have had a significant influence on Eastern Orthodox spirituality.