Desire and Mental Health in Christianity and the Arts

1. Desire and longing are fundamental aspects of human existence

"Without question, the West is undergoing a mental health crisis. Many find living in a fast-moving, technological, economically driven, smart-phone society bewildering and confusing."

Innate yearning. Human beings have an inherent desire for meaning, fulfillment, and transcendence. This longing is deeply rooted in our nature and drives us to seek something beyond our immediate material existence. However, modern society often fails to address these deeper needs, leading to widespread anxiety and dissatisfaction.

Spiritual dimension. The search for meaning and purpose is not merely a psychological phenomenon but has a spiritual component. Many religious and philosophical traditions recognize this fundamental aspect of human nature and offer frameworks for understanding and addressing it. By acknowledging and exploring our innate desires, we can better navigate the complexities of modern life and find greater fulfillment.

2. Religious traditions offer insights into metaphysical desire

"The things which are most deeply aligned with our natural desires and ends are what make us happy …"

Divine longing. Religious traditions, particularly Christianity, view human desire as a reflection of a deeper longing for the divine. This perspective suggests that our earthly desires are ultimately aimed at a transcendent reality, with God as the ultimate object of human longing. By recognizing this spiritual dimension, individuals can find greater meaning and purpose in their lives.

Transformative power. Religious frameworks offer ways to channel and transform desire, moving from self-centered wants to a more expansive love for others and the divine. This process of spiritual growth involves:

• Recognizing the limitations of material desires
• Cultivating a desire for virtue and goodness
• Developing a sense of connectedness to something greater than oneself
• Practicing self-discipline and self-transcendence

3. Art and literature explore themes of longing and transcendence

"The word 'Adam' comes from the Hebrew noun 'ha Adamah' which means 'ground' or 'earth'. Readers are reminded how 'the Lord God formed man of dust from the earth' (Gen. 2:7) a theological truth about humanity's mortality and creaturehood."

Artistic expression. Throughout history, artists and writers have grappled with themes of desire, longing, and the human search for meaning. From ancient myths to modern literature, these works provide profound insights into the human condition and our relationship to the transcendent.

Universal themes. Key artistic explorations of desire include:

• The story of Adam and Eve, symbolizing human temptation and the consequences of misplaced desire
• Dante's "Divine Comedy," portraying the soul's journey towards divine love
• Romantic poetry, expressing intense longing for beauty and the sublime
• Modern literature, such as works by Samuel Beckett, exploring existential yearning and the search for meaning in an absurd world

These artistic representations help us understand and process our own experiences of desire and longing, offering both comfort and challenge to readers across generations.

4. Philosophical perspectives on desire shape our understanding

"For Heidegger, the question of Being is central to his philosophy. He claims that it is impossible to understand fully its Nature and any limited knowledge of it requires a patient and attentive disposition."

Philosophical inquiry. Thinkers throughout history have grappled with the nature of desire and its role in human existence. Their insights provide valuable frameworks for understanding our own experiences and aspirations.

Key philosophical perspectives:

• Plato: Desire as a reflection of our longing for eternal Forms or Ideas
• Augustine: The tension between earthly desires and the ultimate desire for God
• Kant: The role of desire in aesthetic experience and moral reasoning
• Schopenhauer: Desire as the root of suffering and the importance of transcending it
• Heidegger: The relationship between desire, Being, and authentic existence

These philosophical approaches offer diverse ways of conceptualizing desire, helping us navigate the complexities of human experience and aspiration.

5. Monastic traditions emphasize desire for the divine

"Monks' lives are dedicated to 'working the soil of the heart' (Foster, 2007, p. 95) involving tears of self-recognition (lacrima) which begin to soften and water the heart in order that new life might spring forth and blossom."

Contemplative focus. Monastic traditions across various religions place a strong emphasis on cultivating desire for the divine through disciplined spiritual practices. These traditions recognize the power of focused longing in transforming the human heart and drawing individuals closer to ultimate reality.

Spiritual disciplines. Monastic practices aimed at nurturing divine desire include:

• Contemplative prayer and meditation
• Ascetic practices to overcome worldly attachments
• Lectio divina (sacred reading) to internalize spiritual truths
• Communal worship and chanting
• Periods of silence and solitude

These practices help monastics and lay practitioners alike to refine their desires, moving from superficial wants to a deeper longing for union with the divine.

6. Modern thinkers reframe desire in secular contexts

"Taylor argues that 'a trend which is now centuries old and that places the centre of gravity of the good life not in some higher sphere but in what I want to call "ordinary Life", that is, the life of production and the family, of work and love' (Taylor, 2007, p. 45) has increased during the modern era."

Secular reinterpretation. As traditional religious frameworks have lost influence in many societies, modern thinkers have sought to understand and address human desire within secular contexts. This shift has led to new ways of conceptualizing meaning, fulfillment, and the good life.

Contemporary approaches:

• Existentialism: Exploring desire and meaning in a world without inherent purpose
• Psychoanalysis: Examining the role of unconscious desires in shaping human behavior
• Consumerism: Redirecting desire towards material goods and experiences
• Self-actualization: Focusing on personal growth and the realization of individual potential

These modern perspectives offer alternative frameworks for understanding and addressing human longing, while often grappling with the challenges of finding meaning in a disenchanted world.

7. Desire plays a crucial role in personal and spiritual growth

"If this claim is true, then Art is able to dispel false desires occasioned by the ego and the disquieting impulses of the will facilitating the pleasurable contemplation of Nature, life and truth"

Transformative power. Desire, when properly understood and directed, can be a powerful force for personal and spiritual growth. By recognizing and refining our desires, we can move towards greater authenticity, compassion, and fulfillment.

Stages of growth:

1. Recognizing and acknowledging our deepest desires
2. Discerning between superficial wants and authentic longings
3. Cultivating desire for virtue, wisdom, and transcendence
4. Aligning our actions with our highest aspirations
5. Developing compassion and empathy through expanded desires

This process of growth through desire requires ongoing reflection, practice, and often guidance from spiritual or philosophical traditions.

8. The arts provide powerful expressions of human longing

"Masaccio's unforgettable figures depend … on their overwhelming sense of embodiment … Adam's right foot still touches the threshold of Paradise, but not for long. They are in the world now, and unlike the angel who possesses wings, a beautiful garment, a sword, and a kind of magic carpet, the humans are utterly unprepared."

Artistic insight. The arts, including visual art, literature, music, and dance, offer profound explorations of human desire and longing. These creative expressions allow us to engage with the complexities of human experience in ways that often transcend rational analysis.

Artistic representations:

• Painting: Masaccio's "The Expulsion from the Garden of Eden" vividly portrays human vulnerability and the consequences of misplaced desire
• Literature: Works like "Waiting for Godot" explore existential longing and the human search for meaning
• Music: Compositions such as Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" evoke powerful emotions and longings
• Dance: Matthew Bourne's reinterpretation of "Swan Lake" uses movement to express desire and transformation

These artistic works provide viewers and readers with opportunities for deep reflection on their own experiences of desire and longing.

9. Balancing desire and restraint is key to spiritual development

"The sacrament of baptism has enormous repercussions for ontology, self-understanding and daily living (Radcliffe, 2012). Since the baptised are made and encouraged to stand outside the self, the Christian life is always an adventure into living an ecstatic life (ekstacis in Greek), of being taken outside and forgetting oneself, since the person to whom the baptised devote their lives is not themselves, but Christ and his body, the Church."

Spiritual discipline. Many spiritual traditions emphasize the importance of balancing desire with restraint and self-discipline. This approach recognizes the power of desire while also acknowledging the need to channel it towards higher ends.

Practices for balance:

• Cultivating mindfulness and self-awareness
• Practicing detachment from material possessions
• Developing gratitude for what one has
• Engaging in regular spiritual practices such as prayer or meditation
• Serving others and cultivating compassion

By finding this balance, individuals can harness the transformative power of desire while avoiding the pitfalls of unchecked wants and cravings. This balanced approach leads to greater spiritual maturity and a more fulfilling life.