Recognizing depression as principally a spiritual issue has helped me in the battle against it. The idea of an organic, clinical depression is something I just don't believe in. I am very aware of the suffocating and paralyzing aspects of severe depressive episodes. In Catholic parlance, these are known as desolations.
"Consolations and desolations" are terms often used within spiritual and psychological contexts, particularly in the framework of Ignatian spirituality, which was developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. Here's how they are generally understood:
Consolations:
Spiritual Perspective: These are experiences where one feels closer to God or a sense of
spiritual peace, joy, or love. They are seen as moments when one's spirit is uplifted,
leading to an increase in faith, hope, and charity. Consolations can come in various
forms, such as through prayer, nature, acts of kindness, or moments of profound insight.
Psychological Perspective: From a psychological viewpoint, consolations might be
considered akin to experiences of well-being, contentment, or positive emotions. These moments might enhance one's sense of
purpose or connection with others.
Desolations:
Spiritual Perspective: Desolations refer to times when one feels distant from God,
spiritually dry, or in turmoil. These are periods where one might feel sadness, spiritual
darkness, or confusion, often leading to a decrease in faith, hope, or love. Desolations
challenge individuals to seek spiritual growth or to reflect on what might be leading them away from their spiritual path.
Psychological Perspective: In psychology, desolations could be likened to periods of depression, anxiety, or existential crises where one feels disconnected from themselves, others, or the world around them. These experiences might prompt introspection or a search for meaning.
How to Handle Consolations and Desolations:
Reflection: Both experiences are seen as opportunities for growth. During consolations, one might reflect on what brought about this peace to cultivate it further. In desolations, one might contemplate what's causing this distance or unrest and how to return to a state of balance or closeness with one's spiritual goals.
Action: Consolations might inspire acts of kindness, deeper prayer, or sharing joy with others. Desolations might necessitate reaching out for support, engaging in self-care, or re-evaluating one's life choices or spiritual practices.
Balance: Understanding that life naturally includes both highs and lows can help in maintaining balance. Recognizing that desolations are temporary can provide comfort and motivation to work through them, while not becoming overly attached to consolations can prevent spiritual complacency.
In essence, the interplay between consolations and desolations is seen as a dynamic aspect of spiritual and personal development, encouraging a deeper engagement with one's inner life and the external world.
Ignatian spirituality
Teresa of Avila
Mark 12:30 in the Bible reads:
"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength."
This verse is part of Jesus' response to a scribe who asked which commandment is the foremost of all. Here's a breakdown of what each element of the commandment might signify:
With all your heart: This suggests a deep, emotional commitment to God. The heart, in many cultures and especially in biblical times, was seen as the center of emotion, will, and intent. Loving God with your heart means dedicating your affections, desires, and passions to Him.
With all your soul: The soul is often associated with the essence of life or the very being of a person. Loving God with your soul implies an all-encompassing devotion that touches the core of one's existence, including one's life force, consciousness, and identity. It's about aligning one's life purpose with God's will.
With all your mind: This refers to intellectual love, where one engages with God through thought, study, and contemplation. It involves using one's intellect to understand God's teachings, reflect on His nature, and integrate this understanding into daily life. It's about loving God with wisdom, knowledge, and discernment.
With all your strength: This aspect emphasizes the physical expression of love for God. It's about dedicating one's physical efforts, energy, and actions to serve God and His purposes. This could manifest in acts of service, worship, or any physical endeavor undertaken in His name or for His glory.
Interpretation and Application:
Holistic Love: The commandment calls for a holistic love — engaging every part of one's being in the relationship with God. It's not compartmentalized; it's meant to permeate every aspect of life.
Priority of Love: Jesus highlights this as the foremost commandment, indicating that love for God is the foundation upon which all other commandments and moral behaviors are based.
Challenge and Growth: This commandment is both a directive and an invitation to grow in one's relationship with God. It's challenging because it requires an ongoing commitment to deepen one's love in all these dimensions.
Integration into Daily Life: Practically, this might mean integrating prayer, meditation, study of religious texts, acts of charity, and personal discipline into one's life as expressions of this love.
Community and Witness: Loving God in this comprehensive manner also influences how one interacts with others, promoting love, justice, and compassion in community, as loving God is intimately connected with loving one's neighbor (as indicated in the next verse, Mark 12:31).
This verse underscores the centrality of love in Christian theology, advocating for a love that is total, encompassing every facet of human existence.
It only makes sense then, that if the goal is to reach God with all of these 4 persons (thus the name of our apostolate), the devil will wage war on all 4 of them as well. If he cannot get us readily to submit to sin at first, he uses injury, fatigue, confusion, despair and fear to break us down and fill us with pain and anxiety.
We will generally do anything for even temporary relief.
Enter the menace that is addiction.
The only way to begin to break the self-destructive cycles we trap ourselves in recognize the devil's game and beat him at it.
Here are some steps that many Catholics recommend:
Frequent confession.
The Rosary
Adoration.
Spiritual books.
A morning offering.
Accepting crosses humbly and even thanking God for them.
Writing/blogging etc..
However, my good friend Dr. Fred Boley gave me the breakthrough no one else could. You must do something even if it seems like the most trivial thing. You must break the icy grip of paralysis the devil is trying to freeze you in.
An unoccupied mind is the devil's playground.
Biblical Influence: The concept is reflected in biblical warnings against idleness. Proverbs 16:27 from the Living Bible translation states, "Idle hands are the devil's workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece." Although this exact phrase isn't in the Bible, the sentiment is echoed in various scriptures encouraging diligence and warning against sloth.
Historical References: St. Jerome, in the 4th century, wrote, "Engage in some occupation, so that the devil may always find you busy." Similarly, Geoffrey Chaucer in "The Canterbury Tales" (1405) noted, "And therefore says Saint Jerome, 'Do some good deeds that the devil, which is our enemy, not find you unoccupied.'"
Cultural Usage: Over the centuries, this idea has permeated into many cultures and languages, leading to various versions of the proverb. The specific form "an unoccupied mind is the devil's playground" isn't directly attributed to one author but is part of a broad, cultural wisdom shared across different societies. Posts on X also reflect this sentiment, emphasizing the dangers of an idle mind.
Dr. Boley told me. Get up. Wash a dish. Brush your teeth. Make a list. Do some laundry. Go for a walk. You must do something to create some inertia. If you do not do something to break the suffocation, an act of self-destruction will naturally and assuredly follow. Do not give him the opening because he is guaranteed to use it.
Recognizing depression as a weapon in the devil's arsenal helps us determine new ways to combat it. We cannot escape crosses and grief in this life, but we must keep moving to not let them freeze us in place.
Once you get unstuck, you can build on the momentum and run to the throne of Grace. One single step is the start.
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