St. John Cassian’s “On the Eight Vices”
An Examination of the Ascetic Quest for Purification
Although on first glance St. John Cassian’s treatise On the Eight Vicesmay seem to be a dated examination of fifth century asceticism, closer examination reveals much more. Rather, it is a beautiful reflection of the ancient biblical quest for purification and holiness. Monks in the Eastern ascetic tradition pursued purification by subduing, or denying the vices or passions of gluttony, unchastity, avarice, anger, dejection, listlessness, self-esteem and pride. This quest for spiritual purification was an important step towards achieving perfection, the ultimate goal of the ascetic life. Twenty-first century readers, however, should not relegate this ancient wisdom to the members of the ascetic tradition. Purification remains a vital element in the spiritual lives of all Christians in the modern world.
Gluttony
Cassian begins his treatise with exploring ways to overcome the vice of gluttony. His first remedies regard how to fast and “what and how to eat.[1]” He acknowledges that there is no single rule established for monks on fasting because of the differences with age, body type, and health and the issues. However, Cassian asserts that the main goal of fasting is to avoid overeating. For Cassian, extremes in fasting can have unintended consequences. Fasting too long can lead to listlessness, lack of energy in completing one’s spiritual practices and duties. Fasting too much also can result in overeating at the end of a long fast, thus leading to gluttonous behavior. Ostensibly, moderation in fasting is the prudent way forward. One must deny the body just enough to attain goals of purity, without engaging in self defeating behavior.
Cassian does provide very pragmatic advice regarding self control in eating, even for the twenty-first century reader:
A clear rule for self control handed down through the Fathers is this:stop eating
while still hungry and do not continue until you are satisfied. [2]
Such practical advice about eating in general resonates with modern audiences. We live in a society of extreme abundance and excess.
Gluttony /Modern Day Relevance
Cassian’s instructions on overcoming the vice of gluttony has significant relevance to modern day Christians. In America, we live in a society where restaurants typically provide double portions of food. Fast food restaurants are notorious for providing meals that contain double the average persons recommended caloric intake for the day. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Thus, Cassian’s practical advice is quite fitting for trends of overconsumption in our society. We must all stop eating as Cassian asserts “before our bellies are full.”
It should be noted that gluttony is not the only cause of obesity. According to physicians, obesity can also be caused by numerous other factors such genetics, dietary patterns, physical activity, inactivity, and medications[3]
Unchastity
When speaking of the subject of unchastity, Cassian identifies two elements involved in the struggle; the demon of unchastity and the desire of the flesh. In speaking of the demon of unchastity, Cassian eludes to the spiritual warfare spoken of by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesian Church:
For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness,
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12 NRSV)
Paul speaks of the spiritual struggle against invisible forces that can only be overcome by the shield of faith and the sword of the word.
The second element of unchastity that Cassian identifies is the “desire of the flesh.[4]” Therefore, this battle must be conducted on two fronts-the spiritual and the physical. The first remedy Casssain proposes is fasting, as the mortification of the body can help subdue its passions. However, fasting alone is not sufficient for this battle. Fasting must be accompanied by “contrition of heart, physical labour, scriptural meditation and fervent prayer to God.”Together, these form a coordinated assault against sexual desire. The most important defense against sexual immorality is humility of the soul.
Cassian acknowledges the difficulty of achieving victory in this area. Thus, he asserts:
for overcoming the impulse of the spirit of unchastity, we should not trust in
our own strength and ascetic practice but the help of our Master God.[5]
According to Cassian, victory in this area is not achievable unless one truly believes they will be healed by the Lord. Faith in the power of God to heal and deliver is critical to victory over the sins of the flesh.
For those living the acetic life, Cassian recommends that monks forget their “demon inspired”recollections of women. He includes the mothers and sister of the monks, as thinking about women generally may lead to impure thoughts about other women.
Unchastity/Modern Day Relevance
Cassian’s remedies for overcoming the desires of the flesh are relevant to modern day Christians. Erotic imagery is so ubiquitous in modern American society, it can be difficult for the modern Christian to avoid exposure to these elements. The use of erotic images in commercial advertising is commonplace. Hollywood continually exposes audiences to erotic love scenes and language that arouse physical desire within audiences. Pornography, a billion dollar industry in the United States, is just one click away on the modern internet, exposing children and adults to lust and sexual immorality not imaginable twenty-five years ago. Cassian’s remedies of fasting, physical labour, meditations in the scriptures can help modern day Christians achieve victory in this area.
Avarice
Cassian next turns his focus to the passion or demon of avarice, our the love of wealth. For Cassian, this passion is rooted in demonic forces that attack the believer to distract him/her from loftier pursuits of the soul. Avarice, however, is different from other passions of anger and desire, implanted in humankind at birth. The passion of avarice comes from outside of the soul and is more difficult to conquer. Thus, Cassian asserts:
This has been said to make it clear that avarice is a passion deriving, not from our nature
but solely an evil and perverted use of the free will.[6]
For Casein, the pursuit and obsession with acquiring wealth is a perversion of man’s free will. Man in his natural, pure state, has a healthy desire to acquire money and material things to exist in the corporeal world. However, excessive desire for these things, the building up of treasures on earth is a perversion of this natural desire.
Cassian argues that the lack of trust in God for our daily provisions can lead to the sin of avarice in our lives. When a monk hoards money or forsakes the ascetic life mainly to secure a comfortable financial future, he likely has succumbed to the sin of avarice. This is why the Apostle Paul asserted the love of money is the root of all evil. Rather, the ascetic’s first responsibility is to trust God for his provision and future financial security.
Avarice/Modern Day Relevance
While full application of Cassian’s teachings on avarice may not be suitable to non ascetics in the modern American culture, the underlying principals of his teaching are quite applicable. In modern American society, we are inundated with exhortations and messages to seek wealth. We are encouraged from youth to embrace the cultural values of the American Dream-a university education and lovely home in the suburbs. We often embrace the message that wealth will help secure material luxuries, pleasures and happiness. Although there is no sin in having a nice home in which to lives and reliable transportation, we must guard our hearts against hoarding such material things. Jesus warned us concerning this sin, when he asserted:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume
and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-20 NRSV)
The major principal of Jesus’parable against avarice, is to avoid the hoarding of riches. The hoarding of riches is a snare for the heart, and turns one’s heart towards material things that will fade. However, Christians are called to love the lord or God with all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength. Our hearts must belong to God, not the riches of this world.
Anger
Cassian likens anger to a deadly poison for the soul. By nature, it spreads through he soul like a violent cancer, and lays it to waste. Consequently, all must be done to rid the soul of this cancer. We miss out on divine wisdom when we are controlled by anger, for scripture asserts that anger abides in the bosom of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9).[7] Cassian also argues “anger destroys men of good sense” (Proverbs 15:1). The destructive nature of anger overrides the rationale sense of things and distorts the proper perspective of its victims. In blinding the individual, it is the catalyst for despicable behavior that often leads to the ruination of its victims. Thus, Cassian asserts:
The anger of man does not bring about the righteousness of God (James 1:2)
Here, the anger of man is juxtaposed with the righteousness of God. The two stand in unhealthy tension with one another. However, this tension can only be resolved by the death of one-the anger of man.
For Cassian, achieving the goal of ascetic perfection is not possible without gaining mastery over this passion. Anger and wrath must not be defining characteristics of the holy man in pursuit of perfection. Thus, he asserts:
Rid yourselves of all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking and all malice. (Ephesians 4:3)
Paul in his letter to the Church in Ephesus understood the importance of purity and holiness. The anger of man was not considered consistent with the holiness and the Christian way.
Anger/Modern Day Relevance
Cassian’s critique of the dangers of ungodly anger have many applications for people in the modern world. Anger remains a major problem in individual and family relationships: Thus, the The American Association of Family and Marriage Therapy asserts:
Family ties are one of the strongest contributors to individual character
development. Many of us spend years trying to understand, erase, or copy
the influence of our family unit. When anger is part of a family's tradition,
it spreads itself much like a virus to future generations. The wider the spread,
the more difficult the anger is to contain.
The contagion element of anger in our relationships underscores the necessity to do all we can to remove anger from our lives. It can be a difficult process that requires much self discipline, prayer and even professional therapy. However, it is worth the investment. The disciplined control of anger is pleasing to the Father and strengthens one’s Christian witness in family and the world. Perhaps most importantly, it helps Christians to achieve spiritual goals of purification that ultimately lead to spiritual perfection.
Dejection
According to Cassian, despondency/dejection is one of the most debilitating passions of all. Sadly it “ obscures the souls capacity for spiritual contemplation and keeps it from all good works.[8]” At the root of the state of “low spirits” is a loss of hope or courage. Like a disease, it undermines the soul’s capacity to walk in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. Joyful prayer, diligent study of the scriptures and charitable action are encumbered by this passion. Therefore, we must work diligently to protect our souls from this demonic influence. According to Cassian, this passion has the ability to seize “the entire soul” [9] causing it to alienate itself from the Christian community. However, it is dangerous to succumb to this temptation, for alienation can lead to bitterness and listlessness. Cassian asserts that the only form of despondency that we should cultivate is “that which goes with repentance for sin and is accompanied by hope in God”.
Dejection/Modern Day Relevance
Many modern scholars would describe what Eastern ascetics identified as despondency, as a stage of clinical depression. The emotional state of low spirits, due to a loss of hope or courage align well with our modern understandings of depression. Thus, the MedicineNet.com asserts:
Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and that
affects the way a person eats, sleeps, feels about himself or herself, and thinks
about things. Depression is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign.
of personal weakness or a condition that can be wished away. The signs and symptoms of
depression include loss of interest in activities that were once interesting or enjoyable,
including sex; loss of appetite, with weight loss or overeating, with weight gain;
loss of emotional expression (flat affect); a persistently sad, anxious, or empty
mood; feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness;
social withdrawal; unusual fatigue, low energy level, a feeling of being slowed
down; sleepdisturbance andinsomnia early-morning awakening or oversleeping[10]
Indeed, the parallels between dejection and modern day depression are striking. Undoubtedly, modern day Christians face similar struggles with managing their emotional health and well being. Although Cassian’s remedy to guard our hearts against this passion is encouraging, many modern day anecdotes are helpful as well. Christians who find themselves in prolonged periods of depression should seek professional therapy to get to the root of the problem. Fortunately, there are many modern day therapies that effectively treat depression.
Listlessness
Slothfulness is a demon that attacks at the “six hour” (noon) every day, filling the monks with a keen sense of apathy and even hatred of their monastery and fellow brothers. The demon attacks ascetics with fatigue and disinterest in studying the scriptures. Dejection can also cause one to experience abnormal hunger and weakness. Such attacks only become more intense over time. The only remedy that Cassian provides for this is prayer and the avoiding of useless speech. Casein quotes the Apostle Paul in address of this challenging vice:
Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to
keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the
tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought
to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat
anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and
day, so that we might not burden any of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9.
Indeed, Paul models a strong work ethic in his ministry. Intent on not being a financial burden to his flock, Paul doesn’t demand financial support from his followers.
Listlessness/Modern Day Relevance
Cassian’s concern about listlessness no doubt is relevant to twenty-first century Christians. The popularity of social media, television, movie streaming services and social media present new temptations for Christians to waste away our time in unproductive activities Many Christians spend numerous hours a day on social media platforms consuming endless streams of musical and filmic entertainment, rather than nurturing their spiritual lives. According to a study by the Ponce Foundation, only twenty percent of professing Christians read the bible outside of church on Sundays. [11] Yet the bible, Psalm 1, instructs believes to meditate in the Book of the Law “day and night.” Although the reasons for this are complex, mistrust in the inspiration and inerrancy of scripture, slothfulness are likely a factors. Modern day Christians should develop strong spiritual practices such as daily quiet times with God, the daily reciting of the Psalms and prayers to conquer the forces of listlessness in their lives.
Self Esteem
The most subtle of the passions and therefore most difficult to detect and resist is self-esteem. Having many forms, the vice of self esteem appears in all areas of ones life to include the manner in which we speak, times of solitude, fasting and scriptural meditation. Self esteem is crafty in its ability to inflate an individuals view of themselves, using both riches and poverty to produce vanity in the lives of the ascetics. Thus, Cassian asserts:
When it cannot seduce a man with extravagant clothes, it tries to tempt him
by means of shabby ones. When it cannot flatter him with honor, it inflates
him by causing him to endure what seems to be dishonor.[12]
The changeable and nimble strategies of self esteem make it difficult to defeat. However, as the Arch Angel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary “with God all things are possible.”
Cassian relays the story of monk in his cell who had had succumbed to the delusional effects of self esteem. In the silence of his cell, he ordained himself deacon and “dismissed the catechumens.” His inflated view of himself blinded him to the true ways of humility. Thus, Cassian asserts:
The person who wants to engage fully in spiritual combat and to win the crown of
righteousness must try to overcome this beast that assumes such varied forms.[13]
Self esteem can only be defeated by intentional spiritual warfare against this spiritual force. This beast must be defeated with the sword of the word of God.
Self Esteem/Modern Day Relevance
The danger of self esteem continues to be an issue for modern day Christians. In today’s competitive culture, it’s tempting to become puffed up with one’s achievements and become self deluded. Academic, sports, and even spiritual achievements can inflate one’s view of themselves in the modern world. When we begin to believe we’re better than others because of our social, academic, political or religious pedigree and achievements, we begin to lose our way spiritually. It is not possible to achieve spiritual purity when one’s soul is stained by self esteem. We must embrace humility in all that we do, confessing the words of our Lord “ you are nothing without me.” Every gift and ability we have is from above. We are truly dependent on the Father for everything good in our souls and lives.
Pride
According to Cassian, Pride is the most sinister and fierce demon to defeat. Those who have achieved perfection in holiness are at the most at risk. Cassian likens pride to a deadly plague that can completely darken and destroy the entire soul. Furthermore, he compares it to a harsh tyrant that is able to control an entire city and levels it to the ground. Cassian tells the story of the fall of the arch angel Lucifer who is cast out of heaven because of pride. Lucifer’s claim of equality with God “ I will will place my throne upon the clouds and I will be like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14). As with self esteem, Cassian asserts the remedy is remembering Jesus’ words in the Gospel of John “without me you can do nothing.” (John 15;5). Furthermore, we must remember the words of James, the brother of Jesus,“every good and perfect gift is from above.” Accordingly to Cassian, humility is the greatest force against pride. Such humility is only achieved through an awesome reverence for God , a gentle spirit and the radical embrace of poverty.[14]
Pride/Modern Day Relevance
The vice of pride is quite relevant to twenty-first Christians. It no doubt is one of the things that God hates the most in man. It’s important to note that the pride of which I speak is not the healthy sense of pride, as in reasonable confidence in one’s abilities. The pride that the bible condemns and Cassian excoriates is a haughty overconfidence or perception of oneself. Such elevation of self attributes all abilities and gifts to ones own strength and doesn’t acknowledge the blessings and power of God. It is a pride that elevates itself above others and looks down on all others as inept of inferior. The Apostle Paul warned that the acquisition of knowledge puffs up a person. Unfortunately, great learning can lead to pride if we are not careful to guard our hearts against this corrupting passion. To accomplish this, we must daily humble ourselves before the living God (James 4:10) and seek to walk in his ways. For it is in humility that God will lift up the lowly and make us shine as stars in the world.
Monks in the Eastern ascetic tradition have much to teach modern day Christian about the importance of purification in the Christian quest for perfection. Their commitment to conquer the eight vices or passions of gluttony, unchastity, avarice, anger, dejection, listlessness, self-esteem and pride, facilitated their quest for purification and perfection. Twenty-first century readers, should model as much as possible these strategies for purification. For ultimately, we are on the same journey as our ascetic brothers in the East. Thus, we join them in this holy quest:
Lead us up beyond unknowing and light,
Up to the farthest peak of mystic scripture.
Where the mysteries of God’s word
lie simple, absolute and unchangeable
in the brilliant darkness of a hidden silence[15]
Bibliography
The Philokalia, (New York: Farber and Faber, Inc, 1983) 93
Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite
https://pouncefoundation.comaccessed on 4/9/16
https://www.medicinenet.com accessed on 4/7/2016
[1]The Philokalia, (Farber and Faber, Inc, 1983) 73
[2]The Philokalia, (Farber and Faber, Inc, 1983) 74
[3]http:www.cdc.gov Accessed on 5/15/2016
[4]The Philokalia, (Farber and Faber, Inc, 1983) 75
[5]The Philokalia, (Farber and Faber, Inc, 1983) 75
[6]The Philokalia, (Farber and Faber, Inc, 1983) 78
[7]The Philokalia, (Farber and Faber, Inc, 1983) 83
[8]The Philokalia, (Farber and Faber, Inc, 1983) 87
[9][9]The Philokalia, (Farber and Faber, Inc, 1983) 87
[10]https://www.medicinenet.com accessed on 4/7/2016
[11]https://pouncefoundation.comaccessed on 4/9/16
[12][12]The Philokalia, (Farber and Faber, Inc, 1983) 91
[13][13]The Philokalia, (Farber and Faber, Inc, 1983) 92
[14][14]The Philokalia, (Farber and Faber, Inc, 1983) 93
[15]Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite