Despondency: The Spiritual Teaching of Evagrius of Pontus

Gabriel Bunge makes a very sympathetic job of presenting Evagrius to us, judiciously selecting texts from the monk's writings, explaining how they develop and bringing them to their delightful conclusion beyond despondency. He also does a good job of linking Evagrius' ideas with modern conditions, including the frequency of depression, emptiness and alienation. There was no depth psychology in Evagrius' time, but his observations and analyses are right on the mark, remaining fully relevant to us so many centuries later. Very good editing to produce a very insightful work.Contemplation can pass through very dry patches. The aridity is usually felt by the self-centered ego which wants some stimulating gratification from the meditative effort. But contemplation is aimed at deflating the ego, so the best response of the divine is to give it nothing to feed on. What the ego wants and what the contemplative needs are two very different things.Evagrius encourages those caught in aridity to continue their contemplative practice steadfastly. The clamoring demons of the ego will eventually wear themselves out or be sent packing, ceasing to stand between the contemplative and her/his union with the divine. Evagrius points out that this stance is no different from that of Christ in the garden of Gethsemane, saying "Not my will, but yours be done," when he prayed for the "cup" of the crucifixion to pass.If the aridity deepens into despondency or depression, the remedy remains the same. Evagrius explains despondency as a mix of desire and anger which has the power to send a contemplative fleeing from prayer. The desire is for some sensual gratification from contemplation and the anger is from the frustration of not getting this. The challenge is not to flee, but to stick with one's practice. Acedia, or despondency, will feel like a crucifixion in which one is forsaken, but the contemplative who lives it through will find new life and vitality on the other side.That hope is solidly reaffirmed by this publication.

This is an excellent little book that demonstrates how the wisdom of the Desert Fathers of the Fourth Century are just as relevant for us today as they were for the people of their day. In this book Gabriel Bunge shows how Acedia effects us today.

This is wonderful book. To read this book and get the most out of it one must understand that in the Eastern Orthodox Church sin is the act of turning away from God not a list of does and don't . Evagerius Pontus is deeply concerned about the soul or rational part of man and how anger leads to sickness of the soul. One must always turn evil, angry, negative thoughts away and look to God to heal this soul destroying thought process. This is not something that one grits one teeth and does by sheer force of will but as Evangrius states " Steadfastness, and that one does everything with great care, fear of God and perservance, (these) heal despondency. Set for yourself a goal in every task and do not rise from it until you have finished it. And pray unceasingly, and express yourself concisely, and the spirt of despondency will flee from you..pp 94".I am reading this for a second time and plan to go through the book with a friend who is struggling. Pray with out ceasing, turn you thoughts to every good thing God has given.

This is a wonderful introduction to St. Ravenous of Pontus. My faith and spirit roots have been sprinkled with thirst quenching water, I still need more.

While informative and helpful, I found the book somewhat difficult to read. A lot of the Orthodox terminology and the anchorite perspective slowed me down in my reading process. However, if someone is struggling with despondency, I'd highly recommend the book.

amazing book

Evagrius presents the clearest description of the spiritual realities of despondency/depression I have read in my life long personal battle with it. His presentation of this complex darkness of the sould and our hope in God of overcoming it are very encouraging AND realistic. Every Orthodox Christian needs to read this book 'for the love of our neighbor' as there is no one living who has not been touched by this darkness in some form.

A book for all ages which explains the causes and prescribes the cure of our cultural restlessness and ennui.A treasure to read, ponder, and practice.

Very good book... it's a very important theme, acedia, and the book is clear and understandable