Monks' Sleepless Nights: Vigilant Devotion Or Spiritual Discipline?

The practice of vigil, or staying awake through the night in prayer, is an ancient one, with roots in Early Christian Mysticism. For monks, the night vigil is a spiritual exercise, where one enters into contemplative prayer in the middle of the night. This practice is believed to bring one closer to God, as the lack of distractions allows for a deeper devotion to prayer. The belief is that by staying awake and vigilant, one can better hear God's voice and receive healing. Some monks may view sleep as an enemy of the soul, believing that it can increase sinful desires and that sleeplessness can help subdue them. This practice of vigil is not limited to monks, as even Jesus is said to have spent the night in prayer, in what is known as the Agony in the Garden.

Monks may sleep less due to the restorative effects of meditation

Another monk describes how, when he meditates while tired, his thoughts take on a different character: they become more like dreams, with "vivid dreamlike [images] and storylines". This suggests that meditation may provide a level of mental restoration that is similar to, or even deeper than, that provided by sleep. Indeed, one source states that "meditation is an even deeper level of resting than sleep and if you meditate a lot, you don't need to sleep as much".

This is further supported by an account of someone who stopped sleeping halfway through a Vipassana course but "never felt tired". They describe how, after "10 hours a day for 10 days" of meditation, they entered "a state of mind that's even more restful than sleep".

The restorative effects of meditation may also be linked to the reduction of sensory inputs and, therefore, energy usage. One source states that "the brain uses a huge part of the energy intake, so if we start to shut down sensory inputs for large parts of the day, the energy cost is lower". This biological aspect of meditation may contribute to the ability of monks to function on less sleep.

Overall, the restorative effects of meditation, both mentally and biologically, may play a significant role in enabling monks to sleep less while still maintaining their daily routines and spiritual practices.

Jesus encouraged his disciples to stay awake and pray

The Bible contains several references to Jesus encouraging his disciples to stay awake and pray.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is shown returning to his disciples and finding them sleeping. He asks Peter: "Couldn't you watch with me even one hour?" In the same chapter, Jesus tells his disciples to "watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

This theme is repeated in the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus returns to his disciples and finds them sleeping. He asks: "Simon, are you asleep? Were you not able to keep watch for one hour?" Similarly, in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus finds his disciples sleeping and asks: "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so that you will not enter into temptation."

These passages suggest that Jesus wanted his disciples to remain vigilant and prayed that they would not fall into temptation. The act of staying awake and praying is presented as a way to strengthen their spiritual commitment and resist temptation.

Monks, particularly those in the Buddhist tradition, are known for their disciplined approach to sleep. While the recommended amount of sleep for most people is around eight hours, monks often sleep for shorter durations, typically ranging from five to seven hours. This reduced sleep schedule is attributed to the practice of meditation, which is believed to provide an even deeper level of rest than sleep.

The ability to function with less sleep is often attributed to the calming and restorative effects of meditation. This practice is said to quiet the mind, reduce sensory inputs, and lower energy consumption, resulting in reduced sleep requirements.

The 'night watch' in ancient times guarded their city

The practice of monks getting little sleep is often attributed to their dedication to meditation, which is said to provide a deeper level of rest than sleep. This belief is reflected in the Buddhist teachings and the schedules of various monasteries, where monks typically sleep for 5 to 7 hours a night, rarely reaching the recommended 8 hours.

Now, delving into the past, we find that the concept of maintaining vigilance during the night is not unique to monks. In ancient times, the night watch played a crucial role in safeguarding cities and communities. The practice of dividing the night into "watches" or periods of guard duty has a long history, as evidenced by its mention in ancient texts like the Book of Mishna, the Old Testament, and the New Testament.

The night watch in ancient times was a dedicated group of individuals who patrolled the city walls and streets while others slept. They kept a vigilant eye out for any signs of danger, such as approaching enemies or potential threats. The night was typically divided into three or four watches, each lasting a few hours, ensuring constant vigilance throughout the dark hours. This practice was common among the Jews and Romans, as mentioned in the Book of Mishna, and was also adopted by other civilizations.

The night watch played a crucial role in the security and protection of ancient cities. They served as the first line of defence against potential invaders or threats, sounding the alarm and rallying the defence forces if danger arose. In addition to external threats, the night watch also kept an eye out for internal disturbances, such as fires or criminal activities, ensuring the safety and well-being of the city's residents.

The dedication and vigilance of the night watch in ancient times were instrumental in safeguarding their cities and communities. Their tireless efforts, often taken for granted, contributed to the peaceful sleep of the citizens they protected.

The Desert Fathers prayed through the night to resist temptation

The Desert Fathers, early Christian monks who inhabited the desert lands of the Middle East from the 3rd to 5th centuries, believed that temptation was a necessary vehicle for spiritual growth and a deeper love of God. They saw the fight against evil enticements as a step towards a closer relationship with God. To resist temptation, the Desert Fathers prayed through the night, employing a combination of self-awareness, prayer, and practicality.

Self-awareness was considered key to recognising and understanding the thoughts and impulses that could lead to sinful actions. This required continuous self-examination and attention to inner impulses. Prayer was also essential, as demonstrated by a hermit of the desert who advised a young monk to "get up, pray, do penance, and say, 'Son of God, have mercy upon me.'" The Desert Fathers viewed prayer as an action that should be accompanied by practical steps, such as moving away from the source of temptation or seeking help from a spiritual father.

The Desert Fathers' sayings and teachings, compiled as the "Sayings of the Desert Fathers," emphasise the importance of resisting sinful impulses and guarding one's thoughts. Abba Gerontius of Petra, for example, warned against indulging in mental sexual immorality, encouraging monks to "keep his own heart with all vigilance." Another elder shared a similar sentiment, advising, "Do you be like one passing by an eating house in a marketplace and smelling the soup or some roasting meat... shake off from yourself the stench [of] sexual immorality and then get up and pray, saying, 'Son of God, help me.'"

The Desert Fathers' dedication to prayer and vigilance through the night was a crucial aspect of their spiritual practice, helping them to resist temptation and deepen their connection with God. By combining self-awareness, prayer, and practical actions, they sought to live out the Gospel and grow in perfection, modelling their lives after Christ.

St. John Chrysostom urged families to rise at night to praise God

St. John Chrysostom, in his teachings, urged families to rise at night to praise God. He suggested that instead of blasphemy, one should give praise and express thankfulness. He encouraged people to make confessions to God and cry aloud in prayer, believing that this would bring relief to suffering and draw God's aid nearer.

Chrysostom taught that by giving thanks, one could repel the assaults of the evil spirit and gain the care of a gracious God. He advised that if one found themselves unable to remain silent in the face of pain, they should close their teeth against uttering any blasphemous words. He further emphasized the importance of enduring pain in the present to avoid ceaseless punishment in the future.

Chrysostom's teachings also included a focus on the divine condescension, where the invisible and eternal nature of God took on the infirmities of human flesh. This is exemplified in the story of the Magi, who, guided by a star, travelled to Bethlehem to worship and offer gifts to the newborn Christ, recognizing Him as both a Child and God, the King of Glory and Majesty.

Through his teachings, St. John Chrysostom provided spiritual guidance, encouraging followers to turn to prayer and praise instead of blasphemy, and to recognize the glory and majesty of God, even in times of suffering and adversity.

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