Paper short abstract:

The subject of the reflections undertaken in this paper is the techniques developed by Philo of Alexandria for establishing a relationship with God. The paper also distinguishes elements in Philo's thought that coincide with the theology of the mystical phenomenon of the ,,dark night” of the soul.

Paper long abstract:

The aim of the paper is to present techniques for establishing a relationship with God through self-exploration and self-improvement developed by Philo of Alexandria. Philo saw the possibility of man’s union with God through cognition. As man becomes spiritualised, through the agency of the Logos, he can attain rational cognition through which union with God is achieved. However, since the knowledge of God, according to Philo, is at the same time only possible for pure spirits, man, in order to achieve union with the personal God, must make the effort to purify himself and climb to a high degree of spirituality. This is done on the way of perfecting the intellect through contemplation, practising virtues and asceticism, and being obedient to the commandments and will of God. In order to be able to constantly correct what is wrong in him, man must strive for constant self-exploration, thoroughly recognise his weaknesses and shortcomings and then make efforts to eliminate them. As part of his reflections, Philo also proposes more concrete techniques for achieving self-exploration and self-improvement. These are developed in the course of the paper. The paper also draws parallels between Philo’s thought and the theology of the experience ,,dark night” of the soul. In the case of the ,,dark night”, the aim is also to purify the human being and to enable him or her to finally unite with God in love. On the way to achieving this, man must pass through a series of stages of thorough self-exploration so that, in order to be purified, he can break with the false constructs of his perception of himself, the world and God, as well as with the incumbent excessive attachments to the world of matter. This also takes place through a great deal of spiritual and physical discomfort and renunciation.