My friend congratulations on the 53 days may the Lord God who is good and loves mankind continue to strengthen you and bless your work. If I may theologize with you for a moment one of the realities of the incarnation that people forget, especially in our generation which has totally forgotten Christ, is that he perfectly understands us. The Gospels tell us that he was so anxious and fearful in his sacred humanity when confronted with the cross that in the garden he sweat blood. He understands and will be there to drive out the fear or to at least gift you the strength to pass through that fear for his glory.
Interesting and thoughtful piece. As psychotherapist I too challenge the belief that there is a mental health crisis. When in fact it is emotional stress that is referred to in most cases. Stress is a normal EMOTIONAL reaction to the pressures of everyday life. Worry, fear, anger, sadness and other emotions are also all normal emotional responses. They are all part of life. However, if the stress that underlies these emotions interferes with our ability to do the things you want or need to do, this stress has become unhealthy. People, often celebrities believe they have mental health issues. They don’t. I agree there is a spiritual and emotional health issue rather than a mental health crisis. Man’s search for meaning…
I think the crazy (“crazy”) people are the ones who DON’T see how bad things have become, who DON’T see what’s clearly on the horizon. They’re the ones experiencing a mental health problem.
Great read and interesting take. I agree with the vast majority of what you put down here and this one really made me think. Also congrats on 53 days. Keep stacking them!
I'm reminded of a favorite quote from St. Porphyrios:
"Do not fight to expel darkness from the chamber of your soul. Open a tiny aperture for light to enter, and the darkness will disappear. Attack your passion head on, and you’ll see how strongly it will entwine you and grip you and you won’t be able to do anything…Let all your strength be turned to love for God, worship of God, and adhesion to God. In this way your release from evil and from your weaknesses will happen in a mystical manner, without you being aware of it and without exertion."
I had read your post with the quote from St. John Chrysostom about subduing the dragon, and then later that evening, was reading “God’s Path to Sanity” by Dee Pennock and he quoted the same passage! It’s a great book so far, comes highly recommended by Fr. Thomas Hopko.
Hello Michael ... I have enjoyed reading your blogs and articles very much ... as well as your interview on Pints with Aquinas. I rejoice in how the love of God rescued you from the grip of the evil one. Your tender heart was on display as you told your story. I work with an organization that has pioneered some important work in neurotheology that leads to deeper and sustainable transformation into the likeness of Christ. I wonder if you might want to examine an overview of our work? michaelsullivant@lifemodelworks.org
Congratulations on your 53 days of sobriety. I celebrated 18 years this past December and I cannot tell you how much better my life has become after surrendering myself to God and realizing that continuing to try to drink in moderation was a futile effort. I have also ordered a pray rope and have begun praying the Jesus Prayer regularly after reading your post on the Common Man substack. You write with the wisdom of a man decades your senior. I am glad you are continuing to write. God bless you on your journey.
Gosh. Thank you, brother. That made my day. Congratulations on 18 years—a huge achievement. I'm glad TCM was useful to you, and I appreciate you migrating here. God bless you and keep in touch.
Congrats on the 50+ days of sobriety! Any sobriety work is excessively difficult so you have my respect!
I really liked that explanation by St. John Chrysostom about how the memory of Christ reveals both evil and good by both making the evil known and then suppressing it, allowing something of the original created goodness of the human heart to shine forth. I've definitely found that to be my experience, not only in dealing with my own self, but in looking at the world at large. It's so easy to despair at times at how things are going, but when I call to Christ and see the world through that lens, the evil becomes even more clearly seen but it also becomes smaller.
This calls to mind what was said by the recent Orthodox Saint Paisios the Athonite, "What I see around me would drive me insane if I did not know that no matter what happens, God will have the last word." This gets me through so much of my struggles with despair, both over the state of the world and my own frustrating inability to progress in holiness.
Highly recommend. It’s pricy but beautifully produced and full of wisdom. I’m always amazed that my time on earth overlapped with his. His story is like something out of an old Byzantine hagiography.
I'll certainly be getting it as soon as I am able! And like you, I'm also amazed that, though I was an infant and toddler, St. Paisios and I were contemporaries for a bit.
To me, this is something that is drawing me toward Orthodoxy despite how much I love my Anglican Parish and do not wish to leave it (and the Roman Catholic Church can boast of this as well): That Orthodoxy is still producing saints. Even though Anglicans remember many Saints of East and West - with many Anglo-Catholics even having a robust theology and practice of venerating the Saints and seeking their intercessions - Anglicanism isn't currently producing Saints. Not beyond the sense that all who truly follow Christ are, anyway.
Hey Michael. I'm so glad you decided to continue writing here for us. As much as I enjoyed to read your (always balanced) takes on the latest Church drama or on our current cultural predicament, your theological musings (would that be an accurate translation?) are what keep me coming back. I am excited for what you will share with us. I've started being more intentional with the Jesus Prayer since I read your last piece on it : and I do not think I could go without having it as an anchor in the storm (of my own head). As the motto of the Carthusians says (and I never tire of repeating): Stat crux dum volvitur orbis. Thank you do your part in remind us to cleave to the Cross.
I really love how you tied Paul's words of the sounding brass and clanging cymbals with our inability to relate to the pain of others, that is, our lack of (supernatural) charity.
(Isn't Scripture wonderful? There is always more to uncover...)
Indeed, so much of what comes out of our mouth is noise. Well-crafted arguments, refined speech, poetry (not to mention what I write now...) even can be noise without love as its impulse: that is how I read this verse.
But now I also see that it is not only the mouth of the speaker but the heart of the hearer that is involved: if our ears cannot hear, anything will become chatter. Have I understood correctly? My (millenial) spouse is hyper-anxious; she also is afraid of balloons (of the festive kind). And while I have been as patient and gracious as possible over her with these fears of hers, I realize now that I have not fully *received* what she said. I'll have to pray about this.
Congratulations on your sobriety streak, my friend. I will add you to my intentions today. And thank you again for staying with us.
As someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety for a long time, and has gotten help both through the Church and therapy/psychiatry. I think it is not a matter of whether it’s a mental health , emotional health or spiritual crisis. I honestly think it’s all of the above. That is why I have a therapist and a spiritual father. ( I am a very convinced hylomorphist). Overall I think bad philosophy and secularism is what led to the present crisis of modernity. We all know that most young people lead lives of techno nihilism, and I think the effects are so bad that I think we need all the religious , philosophical and therapeutic weapons at are deposal to live in a purposeful and God willing, more Christ centered civilization.
Blessings to you and your family on you 50 day plus journey. Think of your self as a Pilgrim and you have been on your “ Sacred Way” traveling towards redemption and salvation. Jesus be with you and may His Peace control your ❤️ heart! God Bless.
Thank you, Leonore. You're absolutely right. These aren't mere burdens. They're crosses. They're gifts from God, which He promises to help us carry. We're all pilgrims seeking the Gate of Life. Blessings!
I was frankly quite startled by your offhand remark that "all millennials .. struggle with anxiety." Too "old" to be one, I suppose I was unaware! But a quick search reveals a lot of articles on the subject -- none using the word "all" however. If I were you, I don't think I would be inclined to take the characterization as unavoidable. It's a hook worth examining; perhaps one needn't hang an entire generation conclusively (do I mean dismissively?) upon it? And having said that I will go on to say that much of this rumination is compelling. And your use of language is, as always, enlightening and resonant. I admire your willingness to tackle the problem of getting your own self off the anxiety hook, and thank God for the assistance He is forever offering through the traditions of the Church and the support of our own personal family/faith community. Keep writing! You are forging channels into this world for the nouminous.
Hello Mariellen! Thanks for your comment. My comment was tongue-in-cheek. There's a trope that everyone under forty claims to suffer from depression, anxiety, etc. In some circles it's a form of virtue-signaling. Though if my joke didn't land, that's on me!
I'm out of circulation with most social circles (I was going to say with your and most of my but decided it would be more accurate to just say MOST) so I'll gladly take the blame for missing that joke. Which is no joke!
My friend congratulations on the 53 days may the Lord God who is good and loves mankind continue to strengthen you and bless your work. If I may theologize with you for a moment one of the realities of the incarnation that people forget, especially in our generation which has totally forgotten Christ, is that he perfectly understands us. The Gospels tell us that he was so anxious and fearful in his sacred humanity when confronted with the cross that in the garden he sweat blood. He understands and will be there to drive out the fear or to at least gift you the strength to pass through that fear for his glory.
Thank you, brother! And yeah, great point. That's no small comfort...
Interesting and thoughtful piece. As psychotherapist I too challenge the belief that there is a mental health crisis. When in fact it is emotional stress that is referred to in most cases. Stress is a normal EMOTIONAL reaction to the pressures of everyday life. Worry, fear, anger, sadness and other emotions are also all normal emotional responses. They are all part of life. However, if the stress that underlies these emotions interferes with our ability to do the things you want or need to do, this stress has become unhealthy. People, often celebrities believe they have mental health issues. They don’t. I agree there is a spiritual and emotional health issue rather than a mental health crisis. Man’s search for meaning…
Amen. Thanks for your great comment, Jon.
I think the crazy (“crazy”) people are the ones who DON’T see how bad things have become, who DON’T see what’s clearly on the horizon. They’re the ones experiencing a mental health problem.
Congratulations on your milestone, so happy for you and your loved ones!
That's very kind, Genevieve. Thank you!
Great read and interesting take. I agree with the vast majority of what you put down here and this one really made me think. Also congrats on 53 days. Keep stacking them!
Thank you, Josh. I really appreciate the encouragement. Thanks for being here!
I'm reminded of a favorite quote from St. Porphyrios:
"Do not fight to expel darkness from the chamber of your soul. Open a tiny aperture for light to enter, and the darkness will disappear. Attack your passion head on, and you’ll see how strongly it will entwine you and grip you and you won’t be able to do anything…Let all your strength be turned to love for God, worship of God, and adhesion to God. In this way your release from evil and from your weaknesses will happen in a mystical manner, without you being aware of it and without exertion."
I love this. "And a light shone in the darkness, and the darkness could not overcome it". Praise God. I'll be sharing this quote.
Out of curiosity, are you by chance reading “God’s Path to Sanity”?
Amazing quote. Definitely one to keep in the back pocket.
No, I've not heard of that book. Do you recommend it?
I had read your post with the quote from St. John Chrysostom about subduing the dragon, and then later that evening, was reading “God’s Path to Sanity” by Dee Pennock and he quoted the same passage! It’s a great book so far, comes highly recommended by Fr. Thomas Hopko.
Ah! Interesting. I got the quote from here:
https://newromepress.com/st.-john-chrysostom-and-the-jesus-prayer/
But I'll definitely get "God's Path," thank you!
Hello Michael ... I have enjoyed reading your blogs and articles very much ... as well as your interview on Pints with Aquinas. I rejoice in how the love of God rescued you from the grip of the evil one. Your tender heart was on display as you told your story. I work with an organization that has pioneered some important work in neurotheology that leads to deeper and sustainable transformation into the likeness of Christ. I wonder if you might want to examine an overview of our work? michaelsullivant@lifemodelworks.org
Thank you, Michael! I'd love to hear more and will drop you an email now.
Congratulations on being sober. God Bless you and give us strength to endure this crazy and fallen world. Amen.
Thank you, my friend. Lord have mercy!
My strong suspicion is that the West’s “mental health crisis” is really a spiritual health crisis.
As a fellow millennial, I couldn't agree more! I definitely think it is connected whether folks are aware of it or not! Thank you for this!
Congratulations on your 53 days of sobriety. I celebrated 18 years this past December and I cannot tell you how much better my life has become after surrendering myself to God and realizing that continuing to try to drink in moderation was a futile effort. I have also ordered a pray rope and have begun praying the Jesus Prayer regularly after reading your post on the Common Man substack. You write with the wisdom of a man decades your senior. I am glad you are continuing to write. God bless you on your journey.
Gosh. Thank you, brother. That made my day. Congratulations on 18 years—a huge achievement. I'm glad TCM was useful to you, and I appreciate you migrating here. God bless you and keep in touch.
Congrats on the 50+ days of sobriety! Any sobriety work is excessively difficult so you have my respect!
I really liked that explanation by St. John Chrysostom about how the memory of Christ reveals both evil and good by both making the evil known and then suppressing it, allowing something of the original created goodness of the human heart to shine forth. I've definitely found that to be my experience, not only in dealing with my own self, but in looking at the world at large. It's so easy to despair at times at how things are going, but when I call to Christ and see the world through that lens, the evil becomes even more clearly seen but it also becomes smaller.
This calls to mind what was said by the recent Orthodox Saint Paisios the Athonite, "What I see around me would drive me insane if I did not know that no matter what happens, God will have the last word." This gets me through so much of my struggles with despair, both over the state of the world and my own frustrating inability to progress in holiness.
Great insight, brother. And thank you! That line by St. Paisios is the closing quote in my new book. Have you read the biography by Heiromonk Isaac?
You're welcome! And no I haven't; I guess I should read it!
Highly recommend. It’s pricy but beautifully produced and full of wisdom. I’m always amazed that my time on earth overlapped with his. His story is like something out of an old Byzantine hagiography.
I'll certainly be getting it as soon as I am able! And like you, I'm also amazed that, though I was an infant and toddler, St. Paisios and I were contemporaries for a bit.
To me, this is something that is drawing me toward Orthodoxy despite how much I love my Anglican Parish and do not wish to leave it (and the Roman Catholic Church can boast of this as well): That Orthodoxy is still producing saints. Even though Anglicans remember many Saints of East and West - with many Anglo-Catholics even having a robust theology and practice of venerating the Saints and seeking their intercessions - Anglicanism isn't currently producing Saints. Not beyond the sense that all who truly follow Christ are, anyway.
Agreed!
Hey Michael. I'm so glad you decided to continue writing here for us. As much as I enjoyed to read your (always balanced) takes on the latest Church drama or on our current cultural predicament, your theological musings (would that be an accurate translation?) are what keep me coming back. I am excited for what you will share with us. I've started being more intentional with the Jesus Prayer since I read your last piece on it : and I do not think I could go without having it as an anchor in the storm (of my own head). As the motto of the Carthusians says (and I never tire of repeating): Stat crux dum volvitur orbis. Thank you do your part in remind us to cleave to the Cross.
I really love how you tied Paul's words of the sounding brass and clanging cymbals with our inability to relate to the pain of others, that is, our lack of (supernatural) charity.
(Isn't Scripture wonderful? There is always more to uncover...)
Indeed, so much of what comes out of our mouth is noise. Well-crafted arguments, refined speech, poetry (not to mention what I write now...) even can be noise without love as its impulse: that is how I read this verse.
But now I also see that it is not only the mouth of the speaker but the heart of the hearer that is involved: if our ears cannot hear, anything will become chatter. Have I understood correctly? My (millenial) spouse is hyper-anxious; she also is afraid of balloons (of the festive kind). And while I have been as patient and gracious as possible over her with these fears of hers, I realize now that I have not fully *received* what she said. I'll have to pray about this.
Congratulations on your sobriety streak, my friend. I will add you to my intentions today. And thank you again for staying with us.
As someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety for a long time, and has gotten help both through the Church and therapy/psychiatry. I think it is not a matter of whether it’s a mental health , emotional health or spiritual crisis. I honestly think it’s all of the above. That is why I have a therapist and a spiritual father. ( I am a very convinced hylomorphist). Overall I think bad philosophy and secularism is what led to the present crisis of modernity. We all know that most young people lead lives of techno nihilism, and I think the effects are so bad that I think we need all the religious , philosophical and therapeutic weapons at are deposal to live in a purposeful and God willing, more Christ centered civilization.
Blessings to you and your family on you 50 day plus journey. Think of your self as a Pilgrim and you have been on your “ Sacred Way” traveling towards redemption and salvation. Jesus be with you and may His Peace control your ❤️ heart! God Bless.
Thank you, Leonore. You're absolutely right. These aren't mere burdens. They're crosses. They're gifts from God, which He promises to help us carry. We're all pilgrims seeking the Gate of Life. Blessings!
I was frankly quite startled by your offhand remark that "all millennials .. struggle with anxiety." Too "old" to be one, I suppose I was unaware! But a quick search reveals a lot of articles on the subject -- none using the word "all" however. If I were you, I don't think I would be inclined to take the characterization as unavoidable. It's a hook worth examining; perhaps one needn't hang an entire generation conclusively (do I mean dismissively?) upon it? And having said that I will go on to say that much of this rumination is compelling. And your use of language is, as always, enlightening and resonant. I admire your willingness to tackle the problem of getting your own self off the anxiety hook, and thank God for the assistance He is forever offering through the traditions of the Church and the support of our own personal family/faith community. Keep writing! You are forging channels into this world for the nouminous.
Hello Mariellen! Thanks for your comment. My comment was tongue-in-cheek. There's a trope that everyone under forty claims to suffer from depression, anxiety, etc. In some circles it's a form of virtue-signaling. Though if my joke didn't land, that's on me!
I'm out of circulation with most social circles (I was going to say with your and most of my but decided it would be more accurate to just say MOST) so I'll gladly take the blame for missing that joke. Which is no joke!