Anthropology

OBJECTIVE

"Before examining in detail the different etiologies recognized by the Fathers, the therapeutic methods used by them, and their attitude towards those afflicted with mental illness, it is absolutely necessary to have some idea of the anthropological bases underlying their conceptions. To be precise, we must explain the manner in which they viewed the human psyche and its relationship to the body as well as the spirit." (Jean-Claude Larchet)

To understand the nature of man
To appreciate the intrinsic value of man in God's eyes
To understand the proper function of man according to his natural design
To realize how the alteration of God's natural order for man constitutes the essence of mental illness and to understand mental illness as primarily an illness of soul
To de-stigmatize mental illness and define it as a struggle common to all
To view mental illness holistically (in relation to man's entirety)
To approach recovery from mental illness as primarily a process of healing for one's soul, the restoration of the natural order, and a return to God through repentance and growth

INTRODUCTION - 5-10 Minutes

Warm Up Discussion Questions

How do you define an object? By what it looks like? By the name attached to it? By what it does? Why do you call a chair "a chair?"

Is a chair in your room still a chair if it's covered with all your clothes to the extent that you can't sit on it? Or is it now a coat hanger? Is a box that you alway use as a seat still a box or a chair? Is a toothbrush that you always use to scrub your shoes still a toothbrush or a shoe brush?
An object is what it is because of the function and purpose it serves
Even a car can be considered "a deadly weapon" if a driver is driving at a reckless speed because the car now functions as "a deadly weapon" rather than "a car," and the driver can be charged with "assault with a deadly weapon."
So, is a human really human simply if he has eyes, ears, arm, and legs?
A human does not exist as a human unless he functions as a human (think about why Christ called Peter "Satan"... remember that he didn't say, "You're acting like Satan," but He actually called him Satan).
Of course a car would serve an unnatural purpose if it is used as a weapon, since it is designed for another purpose; and we know the true purpose and function of a car because of its design.

Context of Discussion

We cannot know how we ought to function unless we know how we are designed
Once we realize our natural design we understand our identity and we find the blueprint for the way we are designed to live, just like how we know that the purpose of a specific car is to race at a maximum speed simply by realizing its sleek design, racing tires, and powerful engine.
If we do not understand our nature we will never know our intended purpose, and if we don't function according to our purpose we will be disturbed and we will find no fulfillment, just as a race car (if it were to have feelings) would be miserable if it stayed locked up in a garage or drove only at slow speeds. Imagine how that locked up race car will finally feel when it's speeding on a race track?
- We sometimes feel empty, sad, confused or lost because we do not live according to our potential and the way we were designed to live.
So, the most critical question man can ask is, "What is my natural design?"
The central explanation of man's nature is ultimately found in God's proclamation to create man "in His image and likeness" and the fullness of the revelation of that image and likeness is the perfect Man---Jesus Christ.
- "There is only one true, realistic, and honest way for man to be aware of himself. It is first to be aware of God. For it is God who has created man's soul in His own likeness. When man then becomes aware of himself, he finds himself at once facing God's likeness." (Fr. Matthew, the Poor)

HOLY SCRIPTURE

"Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness." (Gen 1:26)
"You formed my inner being, You fashioned me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret and skillfully formed in the depths of the earth." (Ps 139:13-15)
"I have inscribed your name in the palms of My hands." (Is 49:16)
"You were bought with a price, therefore, glorify God." (1 Cor 6:20)
Sirach 38: 1-10

SAYINGS OF THE FATHERS

St. Gregory of Nyssa said, "Medicine is an example of what God allows men to do when they work in harmony with Him and with one another."
St. Basil of Caesarea, said, "God's grace is as evident in the healing power of medicine and its practitioners as it is in miraculous cures"
"When a man knows himself, the knowledge of all things is granted to him, for to know one's self is the fullness of the knowledge of all things." (Mar Isaac the Syrian)

CONTENT (KEY POINTS)

"Let Us make man..." (Gen 1:26)

"Why, when the heaven was created, was it not said: 'Let us make,' but rather: 'Let there be heaven... let there be light,' and so on, concerning each part of creation; but here only is there added: 'Let us make,' by which is expressed counsel, deliberation, and communication with someone equal in honor? Who is it that is to be created that he is granted such honor? It is man---a great and wondrous living being, and for God more precious than all the creation..." (St. John Chrysostom)
"He placed him on Earth, a living creature, trained here and then moved elsewhere; and to complete the mystery, deified by its inclination to God." (St. Gregory Naz.)

"Image" and "Likeness" (Gen 1:26)

When man realizes the divine reflection in his own nature, he functions according to his purpose and finds rest... "You have made us for Yourself, O Lord. And our hearts are restless until they rest in You." (St. Augustine) In contrast, if man does not live in accordance with his natural order, he lives in a state of disturbance and emptiness.

The dignity, worth, and value of every man does not come from what society or people suggest, but from man's Creator "By the Grace of God, I am what I am." (1 Cor 15:10)

By the Grace of God, every Christian identifies as:

A saint (Eph 1:1, 1Cor 1:12, Phil 1:1, Col 1:2); The salt of the earth (Matt 5:13); The light of the world (Matt 5:14); A friend of Christ (Jn 15:15); A temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16, 6:19); A part of God's family (Eph 2:19); A citizen of Heaven (Phil 3:20, Eph 2:6); Chosen by God (Col 3:12), Holy (1 Thess 1:4); Called by God (Eph 4); A son of God and co-heir with Christ (Rom 8:17); Forgiven (Rom 5:1); A new creation (2 Cor 5:17); Free (Heb 4:16); Loved with an everlasting love (Eph 3, Jer 31:3); God's Masterpiece (Eph 2:10); Worth the precious blood of Christ (1 Cor 6:20)

In as much as man functions according to his natural design, he will identify with those titles and retain his value and dignity.

From this we also realize that we are created to naturally have dignity, peace, joy, and comfort. Anything contrary to that is unnatural to our original condition

Our natural design is also dynamic in the sense that man is both earthly and heavenly - "The soul received the breath of God, and while being heavenly, it endures being mixed with what is of the dust. It is a light enclosed in a cave, but still it is divine and inextinguishable... The Word spoke, and having taken a part of the newly created earth, with His immortal hands formed my image and imparted to it His life; because He sent into it the Spirit, which is a ray of the invisible Divinity." (St. Gregory, of Nazianzus.)

This dynamic nature is expressed in an intricately connected tripartite composition---body, soul, and spirit.

"The interweaving of soul and body implies that in every human activity they act simultaneously and experience the same affections, the same emotions, the same passions... Every act, movement, or state of the human being is an act, movement, or state of soul and body simultaneously. For the body is the servant, the vehicle or instrument of the soul..." (Jean Claude Larchet)
"One can even say that the soul's general state leaves its mark on the body, particularly the face." (St. John Cassian)
We should therefore avoid focusing on one part of our nature in isolation since all three parts are intricately interwoven and influence one another

The body - man's physical component (along with the neurobiological/physiological aspect)

The natural created condition of the body is pure and healthy (without pain, suffering, or disease) as it was intended to derive its eternality from feeding on the Tree of Life---Christ Himself. We pray in liturgy: God "created man, in incorruption."

The soul (psyche, anima), comprises two "parts" - this is common to all living creatures

At the most elementary level is the vegetative or vital power common to all living things, whether human, animal or vegetable."
At the second level is the animal power, common to humans and animals. In addition to the capacity of sensation and perception, it comprises the incentive (impulses) and appetitive power (emotions, feelings, desires)

The spirit (nous, spiritus)

This is the rational power, which is specific to humans and which constitutes the principal characteristic of our nature, distinguishing us from all other created beings. In all simplicity we can call this the heart of our heart and the place of our most intimate communion with God
It is characterized by the reason and all the faculties associated with it:
Reflexive consciousness (self-awareness)
Abstract thought
A linguistic function (humans alone being endowed with speech precisely because we are endowed with reason)
Memory and imagination in their higher forms (the one enabling us to retain and recall abstract knowledge, the other to invent and create)
Self-determination which is the source of our freedom and to which are connected free will (the faculty of choice as opposed to impulse) and the higher dimension of the will which enables the choices made to be carried out
Self-control

It flows from this understanding of man's nature, that a natural order exists for man's function. He is naturally inclined or wired to function according to his particular nature, and in as much as he functions and reflects that nature (the divine image), he comes to life and increases in glory "The glory of God is man fully alive. And to be alive consists in beholding God." (St. Irenaeus) Inversely, in as much as he deviates from this natural order, he lives in a state of disturbance and illness.

Mental Illness

The alteration of God's natural order for man constitutes the essence of mental illness, which is primarily an illness of soul

"Illness, according to the holy Fathers, is the deadening, death and darkening of the soul. In this state man's soul malfunctions. It is confused...The powers of the soul are healthy when they function in a natural way, otherwise they are not. The natural impulse of the soul's power is to move towards God and seek Him." (Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nefpaktos)
"Psychological illnesses arise either from disorders in a person's inner world, in his thoughts, conscience, feelings of guilt, emotions; or else from a mishandling of family or social problems. They can, however, also result from an inability to cope with physical illnesses. This category includes cases connected with maltreatment suffered by a person in infancy, childhood or adolescence, difficulties encountered in the social and family environment, and problems arising from various traumatic experiences in the past and from many other causes... Someone who really lives in the domain of the Church with the Sacraments and the ascetic life, under the guidance of a spiritual father, is healed of these psychological states." (M Hirotheos)

Of course mental illness may require pharmacological intervention yet at its core, it is an illness of soul, which cannot be reduced to ordinary medicine.

"St. Gregory the Theologian reproaches those who try to heal their souls by taking medicines. Someone suffering from a neurological illness may certainly take medication, by the advice of a specialist to help the body, but he cannot heal the illness of the soul in this way. What ordinary medicine can bring the Holy Spirit into our soul? The only saving medicine is the Grace of Christ. St Gregory says, "Why do you seek drugs which will do no good?... Heal yourself before it becomes urgent; have pity upon yourself, the only true healer of your disease; apply to yourself the truly saving medicine." The saving and necessary medicine for the soul's illness is Christ: "If you receive all the Word, you will bring upon your own soul all the healing powers of Christ, by Which separately each one of the sick people mentioned in the Gospel was healed."" (Metropolitan Hierotheos)
"Individuals suffering from neurobiological illnesses may follow appropriate instructions from neurologists and psychiatrists, as various drugs need to be provided which check the biochemical processes in the brain and the whole nervous system... At the same time, such individuals ought also to accept with discretion the therapeutic treatment of the Church, which consists of its sacramental and ascetic life, since neurobiological illnesses influence the realm of a person's soul as well." (Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nefpaktos)
"Illness of the soul is not a matter of psychological conflicts, but the darkening of the soul. The healing of the soul does not mean psychological equilibrium, but the illumination of the soul. This healing cannot be achieved by means of ordinary medicines, but through the advent of God's grace in the heart." (Met. Hierotheos)

Destigmatizing Mental Illness

It is important to de-stigmatize mental illness and define it as a struggle common to all humanity - "After Adam fell by sin and sank into corruption, at once impure pleasures rushed in, and the law of the jungle sprang up in our members. So nature became sick with sin through the disobedience of one---Adam. Human nature in Adam became sick through the corruption of disobedience, and thus the passions entered into it." (St. Cyril)

It is important to recognize that psychological disturbances are common to all individuals as a result of the fall. "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23) and suffer the consequence of this sickness. Every sinful thought darkens the soul and deteriorates the health of the mind, and to one extent or another every individual experiences a degree of this illness.
All humanity is subject to the attacks of the demons which aim to darken our soul and we all suffer from these temptations
- "St. John Climacus writes that the evil demons strive "to darken our spirit." Especially the demon of unchastity "by darkening our minds, which guide us," pushes people "to do things that only the mad would thing of." (Met. Hierotheos)

Healing and Recovery

Recovery from mental illness is a dynamic process since man is a dynamic creature, although at its core, healing is a matter of man's restoration to his original condition. In essence, recovery from mental illness is primarily a process of healing for one's soul, the restoration of the natural order, and a return to God through repentance and growth.

It is imperative to recognize all psychological conditions and mental illnesses in relation to man's entirety (body, soul, and spirit) since each part of man affects the other and the healing of one part benefits the other.
"We can affirm that man's cure is in fact purification of the soul, heart, and image, the restoration of the soul to its first and original beauty, and something more: his communion with God. When he becomes a temple of the Holy Spirit, he is cured."
- This process of purification and restoration is accomplished through various methods within the body of the Church .
- Non-religious therapeutic methods and professional psychological guidance are useful tools to assist in the restoration of man's soul in so far as they aim to redirect man to Christ.
"It is not advice or medicines that heal the sick soul, that give life to the dead mind, that purify the impure heart, but the ascetic method of the Church, self-control, love, prayer and guarding the mind from Satan's provocations through evil thoughts. Therefore the Orthodox tradition is very important for our time, for it is the only thing that can free a man and heal him from anxiety and insecurity brought on by the death of his soul." (Met. Hierotheos of Nefpaktos)
- Although pharmacological medicine is necessary in some cases, the core of man's healing is essentially the purification of his soul from sin and the restoration of his soul, which is only possible through his reunion with Christ.

DISCUSSION/ACTIVITY

What's the source of your dignity and value? What determines your worth?
How are you designed to function? And how can you determine that?
Are the disturbances in your mind and soul natural or foreign to your nature?
What is the cause of the mental illnesses in our lives? Are they a product of your mistakes or common struggles to all humanity?
How do you view the insecurities, anxieties, and sadness in your life? How do we respond to these mental disturbances? And how can we recover from them?

APPLICATION (Action)

Meditate on the gift of God's image that is implanted in your soul and the value of your life in God's eyes
List the unique properties or qualities of your own life and the natural dignity, joy, and peace you are intended to have
Think about how your behavior may change if those natural properties are a reality in your life
Identify areas of insecurities, doubts, anxieties, fears, or mental disturbances in your life and what may be their cause (such as negative influences in your life, personal limitations/weaknesses, etc.)
Recognize that any mental illness you face are common struggles, do not scrutinize yourself or magnify the problems you're facing
Make two goals to increase your union with Christ, through a process of repentance (confession, bible readings, prayer, liturgical attendance, etc.)
Seek help from servants or priests about any unsettling thoughts or anxieties

CONCLUSION

We must understand the dignity and the natural health that God ascribed to man and destigmatize mental illness. In viewing mental illness holistically, we can provide healing for anyone struggling with mental illness and lead the soul to recovery by restoring the natural order of the soul's union with Christ through a process of repentance and any necessary professional interventions