An Orthodox monk is practising the Hesychast prayer, also known as prayer of the heart.
Hesychasm is the age-old practice of silent men in quest of “hesychia”, that is to say the inner peace, the peace of the heart, which is achieved by invoking the name of Jesus. Sitting in a quiet place, with his chin leaning against his chest, his eyes closed or half-closed, the Hesychast monk leads his thoughts deep down into his heart, thus focusing his mind inwards, in search of the innermost place of the heart, where the uncreated Presence dwells and can therefore be found.

Hence, the monk’s heart beams with joy and it is filled with wonder for all the creatures of the earth (the cosmic sense of prayer).
This prayer is not an act, nor a plea, but rather a regal way that leads to the transmutation of the soul and, ultimately, to the union with God, the final aim of Hesychasm. Somewhere along the practice, the Hesychast monk stops saying the prayer to become the prayer, or rather to enter into an endless state of contemplation, silence, peace and communion with God.