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The focus of monasticism is on [[theosis]], the process of perfection to which every Christian is called. This ideal is expressed everywhere that the things of God are sought above all other things, as seen for example in the ''[[Philokalia]]'', a book of monastic writings. In other words, a monk or nun is a person who has vowed to follow not only the commandments of the Church, but also the counsels (i.e., vows of poverty, chastity, stability, and obedience). The words of Jesus which are the cornerstone for this ideal are "be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Thus, monks practice [[hesychasm]], the spiritual struggle of [[catharsis|purification]] (καθαρσις), [[theoria|illumination]] (θεωρια) and [[theosis|divinization]] (θε&omicronomega;σις) in [[prayer]], the [[sacrament]]s and obedience.
==Precursors of the Christian monastic ideal==
