Apatheia (Dispassion)
Freedom from disordered passions opens the soul to love
Apatheia, or dispassion, is the state of inner freedom from disordered passions that frees the soul for love and contemplation. Taught by Evagrius Ponticus and rendered by John Cassian as purity of heart, it is not cold indifference but a healed stability in which the heart is no longer ruled by craving or fear. From this calm the soul is opened toward God and genuine charity.
How it traveled
- Life of Antony. (Vita Antoni.)Alexandria · 373explains
- On VirginityNyssa · 395explains
- The Homilies of St. John ChrysostomConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- A Commentary on the Acts of the ApostlesConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on Philippians, Colossians, and ThessaloniansConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Homilies on the Statues to the People of AntiochConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Twelve Books on the Institutes of the Cœnobia, and the Remedies for the Eight Principal FaultsMarseille · 435explains
- The Conferences of John Cassian. Part I. Containing Conferences I-XMarseille · 435explains
- The Conferences of John Cassian. Part III. Containing Conferences XVIII.-XXIVMarseille · 435explains
- The Ecclesiastical History of SozomenConstantinople (Istanbul) · 450explains
- Internal ConsolationZwolle · 1471explains
- Thoughts Helpful in the Life of the SoulZwolle · 1471explains
Key passages(20)
A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles · John Chrysostom
A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles · John Chrysostom
Thoughts Helpful in the Life of the Soul · Thomas à Kempis
The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians · John Chrysostom
The Ecclesiastical History of Sozomen · Sozomen
The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom · John Chrysostom
The Homilies on the Statues to the People of Antioch · John Chrysostom
A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles · John Chrysostom
On Prayer. · Ethical
The Conferences of John Cassian. Part I. Containing Conferences I-X · John Cassian
The Conferences of John Cassian. Part III. Containing Conferences XVIII.-XXIV · John Cassian
The Homilies on the Statues to the People of Antioch · John Chrysostom
The Letters · Basil of Caesarea
The Twelve Books on the Institutes of the Cœnobia, and the Remedies for the Eight Principal Faults · John Cassian
Thoughts Helpful in the Life of the Soul · Thomas à Kempis
The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians · John Chrysostom
Internal Consolation · Thomas à Kempis
On the Duties of the Clergy · Ambrose of Milan
The Conferences of John Cassian. Part I. Containing Conferences I-X · John Cassian