Acedia represents the state of torpor or apathy that was probably present in humans since primordial times, but which gained special prominence in the middle Ages. It has a special connection with Christian monks in medieval times. The word comes from the Greek akedía, negligence ⁽¹⁾, and denotes a depressive, melancholic state of sadness or lack of strength that leads down, as a way of demeaning the individual, perhaps even for himself. Although it seems initially bad, the issue is not exclusive to humans. In the animal world, acedia is related to the hibernation that some animals do to save energy while waiting for other times and environments. If for animals to hibernate can be fundamental for the maintenance of future life, in the case of humans, this seems to be dangerous, depending on the coping approach taken by the individual. That is, saving oneself in one’s life can mean wasting it, considering that help yourself, and Heaven will help you” ⁽²⁾.

Apathy, as well as the dulling of the will, energy and joy of living, can present risks both for the present moment and for the future. Moreover, this lack of will can come either from an erroneous idea of the world and happiness, or from the use (exhaustion or stagnation) of our personal energy, either because we are going too fast, or else, paralyzed for a long time.

According to James Hollis ⁽³⁾, the modern world has different dangers, called crows by him, that wait for some moment to approach when we are with our guard down. One of these crows is desuetude and acedia. Lowering vibration and personal energy can mean danger that Christian monks knew well. The so-called “monks' disease” represented this lack of energy, on purpose, the prolonged sadness that can lead to even more problematic situations.

People - who tend to be caught in the frenetic pace of work and their personal obligations - can feel drained and worn out from time to time, as can those who are having personal and professional problems and who are not productive during the period. Being in “low productivity” for some time due to context issues is normal and needs to be dealt with in order to overcome this dry land.  

However, there are those who accommodate and believe that they do not have the strength to overcome the problem, or, then, do not want to face the challenge due to erroneous ways of formed and ingrained thought patterns, past experiences and limiting beliefs. Assuming the challenge of responsibility for one's own life and destiny is essential for overcoming and winning over this sadness. "Every man, being able to get rid of imperfections by the effect of his will, can spare himself the evils that result from them, and ensure his future happiness"^(4).

The acedia represents then this signaling, the call that we need to be connected (which we are not always!) with the responsibility of our own life, as legitimate builders of our destiny. To deny the signs is to make the problem even worse.

Life demands responsibility, but only those who are able to face their bad inclinations and discard the false promises of a childish life manage to make this passage. Apathy can represent this existential doubt or even a disconnection between the conscious individual and the purposes of the unconscious and the need for alignment with his divine particle and with God.

When there is this real encounter between the conscious self and the inner realm, when there is true communion between the individual's purpose and the progress of the universe, there is a recovery of meaning, energy, enthusiasm.⁽⁵⁾ Incidentally, the word enthusiasm comes from the Greek enthousiasmos and means having a God within you. This allows putting into practice what Nietzsche and Viktor Frankl expressed as: “whoever has a why in life faces almost every how”. It is leaving strengthened and having challenged your inner enemy and won. The one that overcomes apathy becomes stronger and prepared for new challenges and undertakings. We know that advanced disciples also face the most complex trials.

Finally, overcoming acedia, finding your inner enthusiasm, forms part of this magnificent journey of human beings towards the stars.

Despite the herculean work, the task is not impossible. Knowledge, personal strategy and discipline are essential to reach victory in a safe way. There are different ways in which an individual can fight acedia. One of them is the awareness of his life purposes, as well as the best adjustment or reintegration with God. There is nothing better than self-knowledge exercises for this purpose. If one aligns with higher purposes and has a reliable attitude, the chosen Spirits can help. However, we know that the more in tune a person is with God, as a good worker and combatant ⁽⁶⁾, there are always enemies who want the opposite. Thus, good company helps one to move forward despite problems, setbacks and trials.

Having people who help us, either with a friendly word when we recognize that we are beyond normal, or with a simple gesture, that fills us with joy. Therapeutic passes, fluidized water also represent this donation from one human being to another. To overcome this through the help of third parties is what makes this work “solid”. It is the so-called “solidarity”.

Another point that can help us in the fight against acedia is to keep the mood always present. Humor is a way for the brain to let go of unpleasant ideas, preventing bad seeds from sprouting and growing in the mental flora. It is essential for the diligent worker to take care not to cultivate harmful ideas, lest he reap bitter harvests later on. At some point in life, obsession could be a choice. Healthy humor, whether through words, stories, images or videos, allows you to reset energies and mental seasons. Every good worker of spirituality needs to handle humor with satisfaction so that it is not only a bearer of the Good News for the other collaborators, but also the safe harbor of spirit, enthusiasm and hope.

In addition to humor, every time an evil idea arises, it is essential that the person knows how to change “mental stations”, so that torpor does not become a good companion. Changing your mind, dominating your mind is a fundamental aspect so that discouragement does not “slam the door”. Self-control of the mind and emotions is fundamental so that the individual knows not only how to face the problems “out there”, but also those of the inner realm.

Anyway, despite seeming like a problem, acedia can mean a legitimate checkpoint of the advance of the being over his own ills.

Self-knowledge, self-discovery, self-control are sine qua non steps for advancing over apathy and lighting the inner light of knowledge and love that will help in the development and progress of humanity. This progress must have an internal base, from the strong and conscious individual, so that he can face in a fair and adequate way the expression “I am not what happened to me; I am what I chose to be ′′. ^{(7, 8)}

Notes:

¹ Link-1

² Allan Kardec, The Gospel according to Spiritism, chap. 25.

³ James Hollis. The swamplands of the soul. Sao Paulo: Paulus, 1998.

⁴ Allan Kardec, Heaven and Hell or the divine justice according to Spiritism. Penal Code of the Future Life.  

⁵ The word enthusiasm comes from the Greek enthousiasmos (en theos), and means to have a god in you.

⁶ 2 Timóteo 4:7,8

⁷ James Hollis. The swamplands of the soul. Sao Paulo:

Paulus, p. 175, 1998.

⁸ In honor of my dearest genitors, Paulo hayashi and Ioko Ikefuti Hayashi, who are already in the Spiritual Homeland.