Acedia: A Very Common Disorder of the Soul

Among the diseases of the soul identified by the Desert Fathers—those hermit-healers of the early centuries of Christianity—there is one that is little known and yet still so common today: acedia. This term, more often associated with monastic life, can in fact affect each and every one of us—not only in our spiritual lives but also in every other area of our lives (professional, relational, family, etc.). If you regularly feel gloomy, bored, or lacking enthusiasm about your life, perhaps you, too, are suffering from acedia. Discover the forms this affliction can take and, above all, how to combat it effectively!

What is acedia?

An affliction as old as the world itself…

Acedia is a universal and timeless affliction of the soul. It is a very human tendency, as shown by the teachings of the Desert Fathers, who themselves experienced it in the Egyptian deserts during the 3rd and 4th centuries A.D. Similar to melancholy, acedia makes us feel boredom, or even disgust, toward the places, activities, and duties of our lives. Everything loses its meaning and its flavor, and we then fall into a state of apathy. What’s the point of making an effort? The desire to strive is completely extinguished.

This inner state can be amplified by a lack of self-care, and more specifically, a lack of care for one’s spiritual life.  Etymologically, the term “acedia” comes from the Greek ἀϰήδια, which can be translated as “neglect.”

The Catholic Church defines acedia as “a disease of the soul that manifests itself as boredom and a distaste for prayer, penance, and spiritual reading.” Acedia can be a trial that is usually temporary, but it can also be a state of the soul that becomes a true spiritual torpor and causes the soul to withdraw into itself. In that case, it is a spiritual illness.” (website of the French Bishops’ Conference)

… and still relevant today

A loss of meaning is increasingly common in our societies today. Various crises and the loss of religious reference points can fuel a sense of incoherence and powerlessness.
We are also increasingly accustomed to expecting—and therefore seeking—rapid, even immediate, gratification and recognition for our efforts.
- What’s the point of going to all that trouble if no one notices?
- What’s the point of making an effort if I’m the only one doing it?
- What’s the point of taking on this project if I’m not sure I can finish it?

If we no longer find meaning in our efforts, we become discouraged more quickly and lose the desire to persevere despite difficulties or uncertainties.

What are the forms and consequences of acedia?

The Symptoms of Acedia

Although acedia is a spiritual or mental ailment, it also affects both the body in addition to the mind.
It can take different forms depending on the person and the circumstances.

• Gloominess, apathy, difficulty motivating oneself to start a new activity. Fear of effort, laziness.
• Hyperactivity, lack of focus, difficulty seeing a project through to completion, jumping from one thing to another, lack of perseverance, giving up 
• Perfectionism, difficulty “finishing”

Whatever form acedia may take, it prevents us from successfully completing a project as a whole by stalling us at one stage or another: getting started, persevering, or finishing.

Acedia as the Source of Other Spiritual Ailments

For the Desert Fathers, acedia is one of the principal diseases of the soul because it is the source of other inner imbalances and disturbances, such as sadness or aggression.

Acedia can also lead to the development of anxiety and depression, or even burnout, lack of interest in anything, or detachment…

The danger of acedia is that it also undermines our inner life and our relationship with God. Indeed, this relationship requires effort and perseverance and is built over time. The discouragement caused by acedia prevents us from continuing to move forward on a path that can sometimes be arid.

Acedia According to the Bible

The Bible repeatedly highlights the dangers of idleness and laziness, whether they pertain to physical labor or spiritual effort—which, incidentally, are closely linked in the Christian view (as found in the Rule of St. Benedict:“ora et labora”).
Here are four biblical passages that warn against acedia:
- “Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the sluggard goes hungry.” (Proverbs 19:15)

- “so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises.” (Hebrews 6:12)

- “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.” (Matthew 25:26–27) (Read the full parable of the talents)

- “We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

How can we fight against acedia?

Fortunately, in the face of this age-old evil, there are remedies—tried and tested time and again!

Cultivating Gratitude

Gratitude is being thankful for everything life brings us. It allows us to see the positive in every situation. Cultivating this mindset is possible and enables us to change our perspective. No more “What’s the point?”— every situation becomes an opportunity and a challenge!
Beyond restoring our energy and enthusiasm, it also enriches our spiritual life, as gratitude helps us better receive and experience God’s blessings in our lives.
Action Step:
An easy first step that anyone can take to begin transforming their perspective is to start each day with this short prayer of gratitude suggested by Lionel Dalle in his book The Miracle of Gratitude.

Working with Perseverance

For the Desert Fathers, work has three main purposes: to meet our material needs, to help those in need, and to combat acedia.
Indeed, getting back to work every day—whatever that work may be—helps us develop patience, perseverance, and a taste for effort. Idleness and frequent distractions fuel acedia. That is why the Desert Fathers recommend stability and perseverance when we feel that our minds are easily distracted and bored.
“A brother asked Abba Achilles: ‘What shall I do, Father? For I do no monastic work, but, settled in negligence, I eat, I drink, I sleep, I flit from task to task and from thought to thought, and that is why I am saddened and discouraged.’ The elder said to him: 'You, stay in your cell and do what you can without becoming troubled.'”(Find more sayings from the Desert Fathers on acedia)
Action Step: 
Choose a task—even a simple one—and resolve to see it through to the end. This is a simple exercise to repeat every day to effectively combat acedia.

Developing Your Inner Life

Distractions of all kinds feed acedia. Returning to ourselves and becoming more aware of the movements of the soul allows us to better understand what is happening within us and to fight more effectively. Meditation helps with this.
Furthermore, developing your inner life also involves prayer, which nourishes our relationship with God and helps us rediscover meaning in life.
To Try:
The practice of “guarding the heart,” as practiced by the Desert Fathers, is simple and effective. By preventing certain thoughts from taking root within us, it gives us greater strength and freedom.

5 Key Takeaways from This Article

1. Acedia, a form of spiritual sloth, is an ailment of the soul already mentioned in the Bible, highlighted by the Desert Fathers, and still relevant today.
2. Neglect and a lack of care for our spiritual health fuel acedia.
3. Acedia can take the form of apathy or, conversely, hyperactivity, but in either case, it prevents us from seeing things through to the end and highlights a loss of meaning.
4. Acedia can be combated through attitudes such as gratitude, perseverance, and stability.
5. Meditation and prayer develop our inner life and help us fight against acedia.