John Cassian: Conferences (Unabridged‪)‬

John Cassian (c. AD 360 - c. 435), also known as John the Ascetic and John Cassian the Roman, was a Christian theologian celebrated for his mystical writings. Cassian is famous for his role in bringing the beliefs and practices of Christian monasticism to the early medieval West. 

The Conferences summarizes important conversations that Cassian had with elders from the monastery at Scetis (Wadi en Natrun in the western Nile delta) about spiritual and ascetic principles. Cassian shares the wisdom and insights of the venerable abbots Abraham, Chaeremon, Moses, Paphnutios, Serapion, Daniel, Theodor, Serenus, and Piamon, among others. The topics of these conversations ranged from divine gifts, perfection, prayer, and promises to mortification, lust, penitence, friendship, and renunciation.