Isaac of Nineveh

A wise Russian Orthodox priest, when I once asked him about the similar spirituality between the Celtic and Orthodox churches, told me "It is the same". Thus St Isaac says this:"He even prays for the reptiles as a result of the great compassion which is poured out beyond measure --- after the likeness of God --- in his heart".

Regarding the writings of Isaac, to date, The Mystic Treatises, is perhaps one of, if not the most important work of Isaac of Nineveh. It should be pointed out, early on, that the overriding theme of this work was for one to achieve the attainment of God’s love, the consummate union between man and God. To achieve this ecstasy, an aspirant had to acquire a spiritual, rather than an intellectual, knowledge since he should mentally dismiss much of the world. The Mystic Treatises proposes a show more way using the three stages, proposed by Plotinus of repentance, purification and illumination, which have also been designated the physical, psychic and spiritual levels of man. It should, however, also be quickly pointed out that Isaac did not organize his thoughts systematically, for he intertwined the three stages, with an overall progression. These three being: Repentance, Purification and Illumination. In time, some will set the three as Purification, Illumination, and Unification. show less

A definite must have work for those seeking an earlier perspective of the mystical contemplative life. He was a contemporary of Pseudo Dionysus. Isaac's perspective and writings are greatly over looked.