A hesychast is one who strives to enshrine what is bodyless within the temple of the body, paradoxical though this may sound. A hesychast is one who says, "I sleep but my heart is watchful"(Song of Songs 5:2). Close the door of you cell to the body, the door of your cell to the speech, and your inner gate to evil spirits. Ascend into a watchtower - if you know how to - and observe how and when and whence, and in what numbers and in what form, the robers try to break in and steal you grapes. When the watchman grows weary he stands up and prays; then he sits down again and manfully resumes the same task. Guarding against evil thoughts is one thing, keeping watch over the intellect is another. The later differs from the former as much as east form west, and is far more difficult to attain. Were thieves see royal weapons at the ready they do not attack the place lightly. Similarly, spiritual robbers do not lightly try to plunder the person who has enshrined prayer within the heart.(Steps 27 and 26).
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