The Arena: Guidelines for Spiritual and Monastic Life
"People often ask me about books. The one I've been recommending most in the last few years isThe Arena, by St. Ignatius Brianchaninov, a Russian Orthodox bishop of the last century who was canonized in 1988. Although written by a rigorous monk for fellow monastics, all Christians possessing the courage and discipline to engage this book with attention and obedience may study it with great profit."  —Fr. Thomas Hopko, dean emeritus, St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary