Poustinia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A poustinia is a small sparsely furnished cabin or room where one goes to pray and fast alone in the presence of God. The word poustinia has its origin in the Russian word for desert.
Originally an Eastern Russian Orthodox tradition, it was introduced to Western Roman Catholic spirituality by the Catholic social activist Catherine Doherty in her best-selling book Poustinia: Christian Spirituality of the East for Western Man (ISBN 0-87793-084-8), first published in 1975.
Although originating with ancient startsy (wise Russian elders, sg. starets), Catherine's popular book made the concept of poustinia accessible to modern Western men and women. In it, she describes the poustinia as "an entry into the desert, a lonely place, a silent place, where one can lift the two arms of prayer and penance to God in antonement, intercession, reparation for one's sins and those of one's brothers.... To go into the poustinia means to listen to God. It means entering into kenosis — the emptying of oneself." She promotes the poustinia as a place where anyone — in any walk of life — can go for 24 hours of silence, solitude and prayer. Ultimately, however, the poustinik's call is to the desert of one's own heart wherein the he dwells with God alone, whether in the workplace or in a solitary locale.
A poustinia cabin or room generally consists of a bed, a table and chair, a cross, and a Bible. One who chooses to live permanently in a poustinia is called a poustinik (plural: poustiniki). A poustinik is generally more accessible than a traditional hermit.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Poustinia: Encountering God in Silence, Solitude and Prayer ISBN 0-921440-54-5 (The current 3rd edition)
- Poustinia at the Madonna House Apostolate web site
