tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9198191510592777321.post2986345280544468199..comments2023-09-18T05:46:59.633-07:00Comments on The Benedictine Lutheran: Mental IllnessJayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00506485333743516883noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9198191510592777321.post-71943350374136985432014-08-14T08:04:23.524-07:002014-08-14T08:04:23.524-07:00Thanks, great answer. I would only add that throw...Thanks, great answer. I would only add that throwing out Christ is just as dangerous as throwing out meds. Maybe more so.....<br /><br />I just read a quote by Robin Williams: "I used to think that the worst thing in life was to end up alone. Not so. The worst thing is to end up with someone who makes you feel alone."<br /><br />Reminds me of what St Augustine said: "The heart of man is restless until...."Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14830527089157124908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9198191510592777321.post-41278868057680723642014-08-13T14:12:24.504-07:002014-08-13T14:12:24.504-07:00Hi Kathy,
Good question. Monks have historically...Hi Kathy,<br /><br />Good question. Monks have historically referred to the state of "acedia", sometimes called the "noonday demon" - a state of despondency. There is an interesting article from an Orthodox priest about this - and it touches on your question. I think his answer is that in responding to despondency, both spiritual and medical/psychological remedies should be employed. Here's a few key points from the article. <br /><br />"We know too well the limits, and disappointments, of counseling and pharmacology in the treatment of our depression; yet Evagrius understood something that we moderns have forgotten: we are beings who live simultaneously in two realms—the physical and the spiritual—and the spiritual realm is populated by demonic agencies that are seeking to destroy us through passions and mental disorders."<br /><br />"We are involved in spiritual warfare, whether we believe in demons or not. Our skepticism does not change the reality. The ascetical tradition provides us with weapons and therapies that may and should be employed both against the evil supernatural powers and our disordered desires."<br /><br />- but - <br /><br />"One word of advice: do not throw away your meds or terminate your secular counseling. A few years ago I saw such counsel being dispensed on an Orthodox internet forum and was horrified. The relation between brain chemistry, moods, and spiritual states is a mystery. We must not toss aside whatever knowledge we have gained from science and depth psychology."<br /><br />The rest of the article is here: http://afkimel.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/acedia-the-noonday-demon/<br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />Jayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00506485333743516883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9198191510592777321.post-48392424134521026942014-08-13T08:15:19.741-07:002014-08-13T08:15:19.741-07:00What is the difference between mental illness and ...What is the difference between mental illness and demonic activity? The news media ferociously avoids this topic.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14830527089157124908noreply@blogger.com