Quick post--A few weeks ago my mum told me about a thought-provoking show on the CBC show, "Tapestry".
The focus was the under-discussed and often undiagnosed, yet ubiquitous condition known as Acedia. Host Mary Hynes spoke with critically acclaimed author and Acedia-sufferer Kathleen Norris.
Here's a passage from Norris' acclaimed book, (that, incidentally, i have added to my 'to read' list)'Acedia and Me':
I felt bored, tediously bored.
I felt lethargic, tepid, like warm milk at midday.
I wanted to escape the confining and cramped cell of this book.
I enviously wanted to be elsewhere reading an exciting book.
I felt cynical—angry, even bitter.
“This book is drudgery—too much work—I don’t want to care about this book and this subject! Norris doesn’t want a relationship with me—she doesn’t care about me—I don’t care either.”
Dr. Benjamin Pratt defines Acedia as:
a dangerous lethargy [that prompts] stubborn sadness, world weariness, restless boredom, and cynicism. It is morphine to our spirits, squelching joy from life. Even God is no longer viewed as good.
The following is a New York Times review of Norris' explorations: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/books/review/Harrison-t.html
Here's the cbc link at which the podcast can be found. That or else, go to itunes: http://www.cbc.ca/tapestry/archives/2008/102608.html
Also, here's an interesting PBS interview with Kathleen Norris:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/march-13-2009/kathleen-norris-interview/1353/
Will write more later. Just have been meaning to share this through as many outlets as possible. Really is fascinating.
