Mystical writings

Evagrius of Pontus (345-399) and Asanga  (350-420?) seem to share common interests in the spiritual life.  They have some related ideas on food and spiritual transformation; on stages of the path; on the experience of mystical "light"; on the primordial state of human beings; on the four (or five) elements of the cosmos; on the senses and how they function psychologically.

For Evagrius, here is an outline of some of his main ideas:

Evagrius of Pontus (345-399), the first to organize into a coherent system the teachings of the Desert Fathers on prayer.
The ascetic life : The spiritual method whose aim it is to purify the part of the soul that is the seat of the passions and emotions.  The goal is purity of heart, which is the freedom within which God's love can operate.

The seven Steps :

• Chastity, fear of God and faith :
  the beginning of wisdom.
• Patience and hope : perseverance.
• Passionlessness, purity of heart.
• Divine charity.
• Deep knowledge of the created universe.
• Theology : intimate listening to God's revelation.
• Supreme Beatitude.

  For Asanga:  See:  Mahayanasamgraha: La Somme du Grand Véhicule d’Asanga, Étienne Lamotte, translator.  Louvain-la-neuve, 1973.  See also:  Alex Wayman:  Untying the Knots in Buddhism (Delhi, 1997): chapter 16, “Asanga on Food”, pp. 333-334.