Acedia: spiritual or mental sloth; apathy
Monks in their cells in the Middle Ages
rose before dawn to pray.
Instead, they walked that narrow room,
back and forth, back and forth, all day.
Some called this a sin,
this rocking in their stiff chairs,
the unwillingness to kneel, to pray.
The days of cloistering went on eternally, it seemed.
We've been sheltering for months,
the agitated monk inside us growing, growling,
longing to be free.
Still he paces, frantic and passive.
Call it a sin.
Call it malaise, a fever.
Acedia has risen from the ashes
to mark this time.
Mary Elyn Bahlert
10/2020
Thank you. It well expresses the way that I feel.
LikeLike
Mary Elyn, this is perfect! A great description of acedia…and what I struggle with right now.
LikeLike
You catch the collective depth feeling permeating our culture– a restlessness, discomfort, ansiness — and write its intrusion into peacefulness
LikeLike
So true, Mary Elyn. I’ve re-discovered acedia recently; so pertinent to our times right now. And just re-read Kathleen Norris’ terrific memoir, “Acedia and Me…” Enormously helpful!
LikeLike