The Conferences of St John Cassian is a classic of Christian spiritual wisdom for monasticism and is of great benefit for the everyday lay reader.
St John lived in the fourth century and became a monk in Syria. He heard much about the monks and monasteries in Egypt and desired to travel there and talk with the elder monks. He eventually travelled to Egypt with his fellow monk Germanus and spent many years living in the monasteries of Egypt.
This book, as well as the Institutes, is the result of St John's time spent in Egypt and specifically his conversations with the elder monks he encountered.
If you ever wanted to sit with a elder monk, a blessed man who has a deep connection with God and has learnt how to combat his thoughts and overcome the wiles of the devil, this book does that for you. It also has questions by St John to the elders and their answers.