Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden Episode 53: Reflection Upon the Desert Journey
Jan 3, 2026
In this insightful discussion, Bishop Erik Varden, a Cistercian monk and Bishop of Trondheim, delves into the teachings of the Desert Fathers. He shares how their sayings have profoundly influenced his spiritual journey, emphasizing virtues like humility and compassion. The conversation reveals the humor and individuality in ascetic practices, stressing that solitude is for communion, not rejection. Bishop Erik also connects Eastern desert wisdom with Western traditions, highlighting the enduring impact of these ancient teachings on modern life.
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Rabbit Painting Framing The Series
- Jamie recounts discovering a rabbit painting outside his new office and later connecting it to a Desert Father saying about hunting hounds and perseverance.
- The anecdote illustrates how small signs can gain meaning over time and frame spiritual collaboration with Bishop Erik Varden.
Spiritual Growth Is Perpetually Beginning
- Jamie says reading the Desert Fathers made him feel humbled and aware that spiritual growth is ongoing even after years of practice.
- Bishop Erik and Jamie both found the Fathers’ admissions of continual beginning both challenging and renewing.
Desert Fathers As Lively Persons
- Bishop Erik emphasizes the Fathers appear as vivid, distinct personalities despite terse biographies.
- Their humor and tenderness surface in stories that make them immediate and relatable today.