Consider these two really odd “Sayings of the Desert Fathers.”
Both are from the chapter on “Self-Control” in Benedicta Ward’s translation.
They said of one hermit that he sometimes longed to eat a cucumber. So he took one and hung it in front of him where he could see it. He was not overcome by his longing, and he did not eat it, but tamed himself, and repented that he had wanted it at all. (no. 60)
A hermit made a resolution not to drink anything. If ever he was thirsty he washed a vessel and filled it with water and hung it in front of his eyes. When the brothers asked him why he was doing this, he replied, ‘So that if I do not taste what I long for although I can see it, my devotion will be greater and I shall be granted a greater reward by the Lord.’ ( p. 31, no. 67)
The stories are wacky in a couple of ways.
First, what the heck is wrong with eating a cucumber? And isn’t fasting from even water a recipe for—well—death?
Second, what’s up with these guys setting up these little challenges for for themselves? Isn’t being a monk in the desert (or an ordinary Christian in the world) hard enough?
Well yes, it is hard enough.
Setting Yourself a Challenge
But the whole idea of going to the desert was to create a challenge. It wasn’t an escape. It was a training ground.
These folks looked at the Christian life the way athletes look at their participation in a sport. They wanted to get better.
And to get better they had to do some exercises. They had to stay in their cell. They had to have a rhythm of prayer. They had to struggle against their demons.
When a particular temptation needed attention, they set themselves a challenge.
Spiritual life, and creative work, are both like sports in this way. You want to make progress? You have to set yourself a challenge.
NaNoWriMo
I suppose the third question is “What on earth does this have to do with the writer’s inner life?”
Well I’ve been comparing holing up to write in my home office to the life of a monk in a desert cell.
Now I think it is time to set myself a very specific exercise to improve my game. As I go pro in this I need a jump start to my writing discipline.
As I’ve pondered the particular kind of exercise I need to give a listen to some urgings that have been banging around in my head for a while and write some fiction.
I’m hoping to develop my storytelling abilities, which will benefit my non-fiction writing no matter what happens with the fiction.
So I signed up for NaNoWriMo. That probably only sounds familiar if you are or want to be a fiction writer. It is short for NAtional NOvel WRIting MOnth.
Every November, established and aspiring writers commit themselves to writing the first draft of a new novel in 31 days. The actual goal is 50,000 words — rather short for a novel, but a good solid draft of a full-sized story.
So now you know about it. That feels kind of vulnerable. I hope you’ll pray for me.
Tune in to this blog for progress reports — or kvetching and lamentation! We’ll see…
And if you are doing NaNoWriMo yourself, I would absolutely LOVE to hear from you!
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I’d love to hear your thoughts on setting yourself a personal challenge, whether in Christian living or creative work. Just scroll down and leave a comment…
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Two thoughts came to mind as I read your post.
The first is an unsolicited recommendation regarding fiction. A book that really helped me understand the mechanics of storytelling is a slim tome titled “Save the Cat.” It’s about how to write screenplay, but what it says about effective storytelling could apply to other kinds of fiction.
The second thought has to do with the desert monks. How would you square their efforts to test themselves in the ways you’ve described with “lead us not into temptation” in the Lord’s Prayer? Jesus seems to say that we should pray to avoid a time of trial — not seek them out.
What do you think?
Thanks for the book suggestion, Gary. I’m grateful to hear of a book on storytelling that cuts to the chase. Those I’ve been perusing are much larger — Robert McKee’s “Story” and Shawn Coyne’s “The Story Grid.” “Save the Cat” is on its way via the public library.
As to the question about the Lord’s Prayer I think there might be two answers.
One is that they may well have thought of the tests in terms of other biblical passages, like Paul’s injunctions to “fight the good fight” or to “run the race in such a way that you may win.”
More to the point, though eating that cucumber might get the monk in a pickle, it wouldn’t be a sin any more than drinking the water would be. It was a “discipline” or “ascesis,” the path to conquering the passions, which is still at the heart of Orthodox spiritual teaching.
If you can commit to NaNo, I’ll commit to creating in my art studio daily in November. Perhaps we can foster an email exchange where I share each day’s art progress, and you can see some art come into creation!
Hana, that’s GREAT! Email me about this.
We miss you tons…
Gary
Thanks for the insights, Gary.
I had to laugh about cucumbers and pickles…
Go Gary Go! The hurting world awaits good stories from where you stand. I’ll be praying for insight and words to come your way.
Thanks Susanna!