The Concept of Heart in the Orthodox Christian Mysticism

In this article the concept of "heart", a central doctrine in Orthodox Christian mysticism, will be studied. Heart is the center of human existence, in which all practical, intellectual and voluntary abilities are rooted. The entire spiritual life, and even physical life, is based on the heart. Therefore, on the one hand, in the body heart is the center of physical life, and on the other, it is the center of spiritual life which is interpreted as "the way" or "path". So according to the Orthodox mysticism, the spiritual endeavor is a journey to deep heart stage, which is the place of the presence of Trinity. The aim of this journey is to realize the Kingdom of Heavens in the depths of the heart, and to experience the vision of God and Divine similitude (theosis or deification).