Noonday Demon

Inability to stay in one place Presents as an urge to change scenery, restlessness. Monks affected were described by Evagrius Ponticus as a "runaway", someone who "fled from the spiritual battlefield". Heighted concern in one's health and security This particular manifestation presents as the temptation of gluttony, prevalent in monks who fasted until late in the afternoon as they were easier to sway away from duties by thoughts of their health and stomach. Loss of motivation for physical labor Manifests mostly in the afternoon when it is hottest and monks have to fight the heat of the day. Neglecting the rules and duties While under the power of the Noonday Demon, monks would be tempted to neglect prayer and the feeling of being overwhelmed by duties being "too much" start to sink in. General discouragement The Noonday Demon would often cause monks to have feelings of overall discouragement that went as far as to call their vocation into question before eventually manifesting as a nervous depression. == Counter-methods ==

Tears There are several ways of combating the demon, one of which being tears. Tears were seen in Eastern tradition as a "acknowledgment of one's need for a Savior." This tactic is seen as an exact opposite of "lack of care" and would counteract the demon. Ora et labora Ora et labora is the balance of prayer and work in life and is said to be strictly practiced if meant to be used as a counter to the Noonday Demon. "Talking back" to the Devil This method is also known as the "antirrhetic method" and is the use of scripture or prayers to combat negative or evil thoughts that arise in oneself. It is seen as one of the most prominent ways to combat the demon, as Jesus himself used this method in the Judaean desert. Memento mori Memento mori is seen as a way to ground oneself in one's mortality, by meditating on death rather than life. It is a method of using life to decide where one's place in the afterlife would be, thus making the choice to act. Perseverance The last and most simple method to countering the demon is to simply stay on the path of duty, not allowing oneself to stray off the path. Maintaining focus and activity is used in order to keep the demon away, also known as the "essential remedy". ==See also==