July 3, 2014
None seems to know why the 8th sin wasn’t mentioned, maybe seven was regarded as a better number? The seven enemies of the soul are envy, wrath, lust, greed, gluttony, sloth and pride. Perhaps the German Theologian and anti Nazi says it in the following statement which every American needs to be mindful of:
“In Germany they first came for the communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then the came for me – and by that time, no one was left to speak up.’’
The 8th deadly sin is called ‘Acedia’ (sometimes referred to as Despond). The term has often been forgotten over the centuries, but is utterly relevant in today’s world. Perhaps it wasn’t used because it is so difficult to define. Words used in defining it are common conditions today that the masses need to awaken from to save life on earth. It has been called the ‘monks demon’ due in part to their gazing into the empty boredom of their existence. It’s being lost in a masquerade. Are you lost in crimes to yourself before they happen?
Boredom, apathy, depression, escapism, despair, commitment phobia are just a few words to describe this demon that results in people more or less ‘rowing in place’ in their lives where love seems to be regarded as a mystery, or a door to hurt, rejection, and all forms of fears. At its Greek root, the word acedia means the absence of care. Acedia becomes a spiritual morphine when challenges seem to overcome one. An afflicted withdraws into their ‘turtle like shell’ to avoid discomfort, pain, and fears. Having acedia is not all of these characteristics but one or more.
Are you a prisoner of the ‘looping negative’ mind or the fearful, dulled, protected heart? Like poison in a gourmet dish, it doesn’t matter how much, you wouldn’t want to eat it. Why would you want to ‘consume’ negatives that follow you night and day, year after year when everyone is busy with their own issues or blessing to be of help? Change your breathing several times a day breathing out the old, and deep breathing in the new never before energy. Why be a masquerade to life and love waiting for your harmonizing with it?
