On the Battlefield

In this episode, our hosts do a deep dive into defining what addiction really is. All too often, addiction is viewed through the lens of substances and chemicals rather than the complexities of human struggle. Addiction frequently presents itself as a spectrum and requires prayer and discernment before being brought up in conversation.

Today, our hosts discuss the aspect of addiction that leaves us trying to find peace, joy, and stress reduction through external means. Many relate addiction to the substance itself; however, the substance is but a symptom of the problem. Orthodox Christianity recognizes that we have an “us” problem - a fear of reality as it is. What we need, as always, is a life of repentance. We can spend a lifetime transferring our addictions from one thing to another, thinking, "if only _____, then I will be happy, then I will behave as a Christian". Dealing with the consequences of our life choices, and turning from them toward Christ, no matter how unbearable they seem, will ultimately lead to a better life. While we look for external solutions to our problems, we must remember that the Kingdom of God is within.

In this episode, our hosts discuss "half-measures" and how, when we hold back from fully engaging the Kingdom of God, we put ourselves at risk of nominalism and relapse. Drawing from the Lord's teaching about "cutting off our right hand", and the admonition in the Revelation of St. John, we see that being lukewarm avails us nothing and damages those around us. We must follow the advice of St. John Chrysostom to be strict with ourselves and merciful to others, for the culture in which we find ourselves isn't getting any holier, reducing truth to sentimentality and robbing us of the peace that surpasses all understanding. We must not be content with half-measures.

In this episode, our hosts discuss vulnerability and its roots in having the ability to be wounded. The implications for recovery are significant as the profound relationship between stress and trauma makes vulnerability extremely difficult for those seeking healing. The answer ultimately comes in the form of continued repentance and rigorous honesty

In this episode, our hosts discuss meekness and the need for rigorous honesty in recovery. Consequently, to be honest with ourselves and God, we must face the darkness of our own sinfulness, which is where the mystery of confession comes into play. We cannot fix ourselves; therefore, we go to God in confession to find healing and to bear the fruit of repentance in our community.

In this episode, our hosts discuss how feedback loops work, how they exist in the spiritual life, how they’re not always bad, and how to break out of them. There is a process we go through and these loops begin with fleeting thoughts. The important thing is to remember that we are not our thoughts and we must be prepared with prayer and an actionable plan that we’ve developed with our spiritual father.

In this jam-packed episode, our hosts weave a tapestry of communal recovery based on the Orthodox life of repentance, as viewed in light of the Holy Pascha. Together, they discuss sin as being foreign to true humanity, what it means to fight the demons as the Body of Christ, the sociological & biological factors of addiction, and more. The parallels between recovery and salvation are staggering, and both require community.

In this episode, our hosts discuss the tension between viewing addiction for what it is, an illness, and personal accountability. We find that Orthodox spirituality does an excellent job of holding this tension without falling prey to an overly legal view, yet still recognizing the need for accountability. How can we support those around us struggling with recovery in a way that does the same? The therapeutic, holistic nature of our Orthodox faith holds the key.

Drawing on the wisdom of St. Theophan's admonition to have complete and all-daring trust in God, a complete distrust of oneself, to pray without stopping, and to strive without ceasing, Fr. Joseph and Fr. Michael help us to connect the Orthodox practice of watchfulness with sobriety and 12-step recovery.

In this episode, our hosts continue the lesson from last time and discuss how confusion and chaos can push us into a mindset of unmanageability. However, we are also given a plethora of wisdom in our Orthodox faith to help in the battle!