The connection between contemplative practice and psychotherapy is often noted, but how that came to be is a fascinating story. Dave Schmelzer offers a look at fourth century monk Evagrius of Pontus as a key example of what came out of desert spirituality and, in particular, as the (possible) originator of things you might know and love like the Enneagram, the seven deadly sins and, yes, what Freud and Jung spun into modern psychiatry. Dave closes with a brief look at Evagrius's student and champion and a major player in his own right, John Cassian.

Mentioned on this podcast:

• Kim Nataraja's lecture on Evagrius of Pontus (and another on John Cassian) from Journey to the Heart
• You can learn more about the Faith Part 2 course or register interest for it here.
• You can sign up for Dave's "Thursday notes" essays here.

Cutting to the chase, getting what we want won't make us happy because of what the researchers call "hedonic adaptation." The good news is that these same researchers tell us these desires for our lives absolutely can be central in helping us create a happy life. So what gives? How can our dreams for our lives work for us and not against us? Dave Schmelzer will explore this key question by way of famed happiness researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky's research and insights. But before getting there, he'll look at this question a bit more broadly by considering Carl Jung's "Five Pillars of a Happy Life" along with some commentary by Arthur C. Brooks.

Mentioned on this podcast

• You can sign up to receive Dave's weekly "Thursday notes" here.
• Sonja Lyubomirsky's book The Myths of Happiness: What Should Make You Happy, but Doesn't, What Shouldn't Make You Happy, but Does
• Arthur C. Brooks's book The Happiness Files: Insights on Work and Life

In another episode of Dave's "history corner," he looks at the cataclysm that happened when the emperor made Christianity the state's religion in 325. Where Christians had been poor, persecuted and few in number, it now messed with the heads of the old guard to suddenly be favored and joined by millions of far less devout "fellow Christians" who loved the perks of their connection to power. The response of a few bold people to head to the wilderness changed what Christian faith--and its contemplative variant--was to become. It's quite a story.

Mentioned on this podcast:

Journey to the Heart: Christian Contemplation Through the Centuries, edited by Kim Nataraja

You can sign up for Dave's "Thursday Notes" here

You can learn more about the free, online Faith Part 2 course here. You can register your interest here.