The Role of Phantasia: Navigating Imagination in Orthodox Spirituality and Modern Life

Today, we tend to grant more praise and value to creativity and imagination than any other faculty, save possibly reason. This was not always the case, and there was some reason for this. As a saying often (mis)attributed to Lao Tzu goes: “Watch your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your words; they become your actions. Watch your actions; they become your habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” What we attend to in our minds does not merely stay in our cranium but is the beginning of the formation of our very character, behavior, and self. With this in mind, let's explore the treatment of the imagination, or phantasia, in Eastern Orthodox spiritual and monastic literature.

In Eastern Orthodox Christian spiritual and monastic literature, the term phantasia refers to the imagination, often carrying negative connotations associated with fantasy and delusion. It is seen as a powerful but unstable faculty of the human soul, capable of distracting one from God and leading one into temptation. However, phantasia is not inherently evil. When disciplined and purified, imagination can serve neutral or even positive roles within the spiritual life, aiding in contemplation, worship, and creative expression. This paper explores the dangers of phantasia, especially when unchecked, and the ways in which it can be properly ordered toward God.

The Dangers of Imagination

In the writings of the Desert Fathers and other key figures in Orthodox spirituality, phantasia is often portrayed as a source of distraction and spiritual danger. In Orthodox thought, this is because the spiritual life emphasizes cultivating deep stillness, or hesychia, and attentiveness to God. Imagination, when undisciplined, disrupts these efforts, introducing distractions that draw the soul away from prayer and contemplation and into vain and often impassioned imaginations.

St. John Climacus warns that the imagination "can easily turn into deception" and lead one into spiritual delusion, especially in prayer and contemplation. This state of deception often involves believing that one's thoughts or visions are divine revelations, while in reality, they are self-generated or influenced by demonic forces. The danger here lies in how easily the soul can be misled into believing it is drawing closer to God, when in fact, it is spiraling further into confusion and pride. In modern times, this state can manifest when individuals mistakenly interpret their thoughts or emotions as divine insight, particularly when they lack spiritual guidance. The tendency to follow one’s subjective feelings or "inner voice" without discernment poses a serious spiritual danger.

Distraction from God

The imagination is seen as a primary source of distraction in the spiritual life, diverting attention away from God and toward worldly thoughts or fantasies. In the hesychast tradition, which emphasizes inner stillness and constant prayer, this is a serious concern. The Fathers encourage nepsis (watchfulness), a disciplined form of attention, to guard the mind from the onslaught of images and thoughts that arise through phantasia.

Fueling the Passions

The imagination can also serve as a gateway to sinful passions such as lust, pride, and anger. Evagrius Ponticus speaks extensively about how the imagination can lead to sinful logismoi (thoughts), which in turn fuel the passions. He writes, "thoughts can easily be led astray by images that enter the mind," and these images often fan the flames of base desires. Left unchecked, the imagination can cause the soul to be consumed by these passions, leading to sin.

Neutral and Positive Uses of Imagination

Despite the dangers associated with phantasia, the imagination is not regarded as inherently evil. Like other human faculties, it has the potential to be used rightly or wrongly. The Orthodox tradition recognizes that, when properly ordered and purified, imagination can serve important roles in the spiritual life. Just as phantasia can lead the soul into distraction and delusion, it can also, when properly ordered, elevate the soul toward divine realities, serving as a tool for contemplation and worship.

Imagination as a Tool for Contemplation

Sacred art, such as icons, hymns, and liturgical poetry, engages the imagination in a way that lifts the soul toward divine realities. Icons, for example, are more than decorative images; they provide a window into the divine. An icon of the Transfiguration, for instance, invites the viewer to contemplate the moment when Christ’s divine nature was revealed to the apostles, lifting the imagination beyond the material into the mystical reality of the Incarnation. As St. Theodore the Studite writes, icons are "a means of leading the soul upward to God" through their holy images. The imagination, when focused on sacred imagery, can aid in the contemplation of the mysteries of God.

For example, consider Andrei Rublev’s famous Trinity icon. It draws the viewer into a deeper reflection on the mystery of the Holy Trinity by using inverse perspective and creating a focal point outside of the icon—rather beyond the painting—which invites one to participate in the contemplative circular motion of the gazes of the members of the Trinity. This subtle use of perspective brings the viewer into the scene, encouraging a deeper engagement with the divine relationship depicted within the icon.

Building the Iconostasis of the Soul through Imagination

Fr. John Bethencourt uses the image of "building the iconostasis of the soul" to describe how the symbolic field of the Old Testament—its stories, types, and figures—creates a framework for deeper spiritual contemplation. The iconostasis, the screen of holy images that separates the altar from the congregation in Orthodox churches, symbolizes the threshold between the earthly and divine realms. In a similar way, the imagination, when rightly engaged with scriptural symbols, guides the soul beyond the literal into the divine mysteries. Meditating on these figures—such as Moses, the burning bush, or the Ark of the Covenant—draws the soul into a more profound understanding of God's presence and His work in salvation history.

Imagination in Creative Expression

The imagination allows for creative expression, which can glorify God when properly ordered. The Church has historically supported artistic endeavors such as iconography, liturgical chant, and architecture, which engage the imagination for holy purposes. In modern times, this can expand to include contemplative forms of film or fiction that reflect divine beauty and truth. Imagination, channeled into creating expressions that lift the soul toward God, can enrich the spiritual life and deepen our experience of the divine.

Imagination Aiding Memory and Prayer

Imagination also serves as an aid to memory, particularly in the spiritual life, where memorization of Scripture, prayers, and hymns is central. The Fathers encouraged the faithful to fill their minds with holy images, hymns, and texts so that these might surface during prayer. In this way, imagination is harnessed for good, helping the soul focus on divine truths during times of reflection and meditation.

Ordering the Imagination in the Spiritual Life

To use imagination positively, the Orthodox spiritual tradition emphasizes purification and discipline. Through prayer, fasting, and ascetic practices, the mind can be purified, and the imagination can be properly ordered. The goal is not to eliminate imagination but to transform it, so it serves the soul in its ascent toward God rather than becoming a stumbling block. For instance, St. Maximus the Confessor draws a distinction between the nous (intellect or spiritual eye) and phantasia. While the nous is the faculty meant for direct communion with God, phantasia deals with images and is more prone to distraction. Purifying the nous through ascetic practice allows one to perceive God directly, while disciplining the imagination aids in meditating on sacred truths.

The Modern Relevance of Phantasia

In today's world, the dangers of an unchecked imagination may be more pronounced than ever. In modern life, unchecked imagination often leads to confusion, as seen in the endless distractions from social media and entertainment. The mind becomes flooded with trivial images and thoughts (if not pornographic ones), preventing it from focusing on higher realities. Orthodox spirituality addresses this challenge by offering practices like nepsis (watchfulness), prayer, and fasting to guard the mind from harmful distractions. These disciplines help the soul regain control over the imagination, filtering out the noise and redirecting its focus toward the divine.

Practical Applications for Ordering Imagination

Nepsis (Watchfulness)

In the age of constant distraction, nepsis—the vigilant guarding of the mind and heart—is essential. For instance, practicing nepsis in daily life could involve setting limits on social media use and being mindful of the thoughts that arise when encountering certain images, filtering out those that lead to distraction or temptation.

Daily Use of the Jesus Prayer for Purifying Imagination

The repetitive recitation of the Jesus Prayer—"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"—is a powerful tool for purifying the mind and imagination. For beginners, the Jesus Prayer can be especially effective during moments of mental restlessness or anxiety. Incorporating it into your daily routine—such as during morning prayer or short breaks—can help anchor the mind in God’s presence.

Fasting from Media and Entertainment to Discipline Imagination

A deliberate reduction or temporary abstinence from television, movies, and social media can help create space for the imagination to rest and refocus. This is particularly important during the Church's fasting seasons, such as Great Lent, when the faithful are called to intensify their prayer life and draw nearer to God.

Mindful Participation in the Divine Liturgy and Sacraments

The liturgy, with its icons, hymns, and prayers, offers a sacred space where the imagination is not eradicated but sanctified. One modern practitioner recalls how, through repeated participation in the liturgy, the sacred hymns and icons began to transform his distracted mind, drawing it steadily toward contemplation of Christ’s love.

Spiritual Reading and Meditation to Guide Imagination

Particularly effective for meditation are the Psalms, with their vivid imagery of God’s protection and justice, as well as the writings of the Church Fathers, such as St. Isaac the Syrian’s reflections on divine mercy. By immersing oneself in these texts, the imagination is trained to dwell on divine realities rather than worldly fantasies.

Creating a Prayerful Environment to Support Imagination

An icon corner or home altar with icons, candles, and incense serves as a physical reminder of God's presence and provides a sacred space for prayer and contemplation. In the midst of a media-saturated culture, retreating to a quiet, holy space allows the imagination to rest and focus on divine realities.

Conclusion

In a world full of distractions, the disciplined ordering of imagination is essential for Orthodox Christians seeking to ascend toward God. By sanctifying phantasia through prayer, contemplation, and spiritual guidance, we can transform what was once a source of distraction into a gateway to divine communion. The imagination, properly purified and directed, becomes a powerful tool in the soul’s journey toward God.