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This document was written in the 5th century by a monk named John Cassian in order to help found a monastery in the Roman-controlled region of Gaul (in modern-day France). The Conferences are the second volume of Cassian's instructions (the first volume is The Institutes) on how to correctly practice monasticism based on his experience living as a monk in Egypt. Unlike The Institutes, however, The Conferences is written as a series of conversations between a young Cassian, his monastic compatriot Germanus, and several venerable Egyptian monks. Conversations discuss the goals of monastic life, - principally "purity of heart" - and the correct practice of asceticism, - neither too lax nor too severe. There are also detailed discussions on theology, including the notion of God as unencumbered by a physical body, the possibility of humans uniting with God in spiritual perfection, and the influence of evil spirits on the mind and/or heart. This book gives a comprehensive vision of Cassian's ideal Egyptian monasticism in order to establish a similar institution in the West.