Deep Dive with Courtney Smith on the Stories We Tell Ourselves

The Praktikos, attributed to Evagrius Ponticus, is an early Christian monastic treatise that identifies and describes passions (ailments of the soul) faced by ascetics, laying groundwork for later conceptions of the seven deadly sins. Written to guide monks in the practice of spiritual vigilance, it frames these passions as obstacles to contemplative life and offers practical advice for overcoming them. Over time, Evagrius’s lists and analysis were adapted and synthesized into medieval formulations of the vices that shaped Western moral thought. Scholars view the work as significant for understanding early Christian psychology, ascetic practice, and the historical development of sin taxonomy. Its perspective is invoked in modern critiques that repurpose the framework to explore cultural and psychological patterns rather than moral condemnation.

'Choosing Wholeness Over Goodness' offers a guide to self-discovery and personal liberation by challenging societal norms of 'goodness. ' Co-authors Elise Loehnen and Courtney Smith provide a framework for understanding how cultural conditioning can lead to self-repression and a disconnect from one's true self. The book introduces a process for recognizing and integrating disowned aspects of the self, drawing on concepts like Carl Jung's idea of wholeness. By embracing imperfection and challenging fear-based behaviors, readers can cultivate greater self-acceptance and authenticity. This book promotes the idea that reclaiming one's full self leads to increased energy, presence, and a more fulfilling life.