Cassian Part 1

 In this no-mans land of Ordinary Time until Ash Wednesday, I am turning to the Philokalia - a collection of Spiritual writing form the Orthodox East. Whilst I have had a copy sitting on my shelves for years, this is the first time I have read it with any intent. I am especially looking at Cassians "on the eight vices".  John Cassian is an important figure in monastic life, his Conferences and Institutes containing teaching which still resonates across the Monastic East and West.  "The Eight Vices" is a reflection on those areas in our lives which bring us pain and suffering (perhaps we could even say sin?) because we fail to address them in the light of the spirit.

Day 1: On Control of the Stomach. 

To eat moderately and reasonably is to keep the body in health, not to deprive it of holiness

Cassian show his sense of balance immediately, beginning this discussion about the use and misuse of food immediately. Not everyone can follow the same rule of eating, fasting or diet. We are all different and what is appropriate for one is not necessarily appropriate for another. He does give a few guidelines however. We should fast, but not too much. It is ok to be a little hungry, it might even be good. Getting our relationship with food right is fundamental to how we will deal with other issues (the other 7 vices!) when we struggle with them.

What about me and you? We live in love/hate food culture. Celebrity chefs vie with Anorexia stories in magazines, fast food company's sponsor sports events, and wine is reviewed in daily papers next to stories about increasing alcoholism and binge drinking. Everyone is cooking gourmet or following the next trendy diet.

The middle way is as usual, probably the best. Food and wine are great, but not if we become (as the Buddhists would say) attached to them - failing to be present to the moment of taste and enjoyment and instead allowing the food to dictate something else to us about our status, our happiness or our importance. I need to learn to be able to enjoy a three course meal with matching wines as much as a peanut butter sandwich or a bowl of plain rice. For monks, Cassian would encourage not over indulging too much, and this is a lesson that I can learn too. 

I have a dear friend who is very good at making ethical decisions about food part of her shopping and cooking planning. She has encouraged me to think more deeply about where my food comes from and how it was produced. Cassian would be in accord with this, especially if it helps us to live less selfishly and more in-tune with our local and global brothers and sisters.

Now whats for dinner?