The Craft of Living Q&A

This post amounts to a manifesto statement and will thus function as a living document. As with the “Principles of Life-Change” reflection, I will continue to revise and fine-tune it as time goes on.

What is the Craft of Living?
In the context of Western theology and philosophy, “the craft of living” is an English rendering of the Greek term techne peri ton bion and the Latin one ars vivendi. It carries the idea of increased life-competency that comes as a result of experience, mastery, formation, and, grace—the Scriptural term for divine intent and action which illuminates, directs, and changes the human “heart.”

OK, but what is it about?
Well, let me give it another try. At the heart of the craft of living is, not surprisingly, the notion of craftsmanship. We don’t become craftsmen overnight. We need examples and instruction. We need failure and experimentation. We need repeated practice, deliberate practice, where we often work on skills and resources that might not be directly connected to performance. Think of a musician practicing scales, or an athlete working on her mobility and proper nutrition. (See my previous post on this theme.)

What elements does the Craft of Living entail?
At the first glance, there a couple of them. First, there must be some vision of the flourishing life, including an account of moral goodness. In other words, there is always some goal involved; some ideas of destiny and meaning. Second, there are also context-specific goals connected to an individual’s vocation or particular circumstances. A mother of newly born twins will have different priorities than a freshman college student. Third, the craft of living, both the definition and practice of it, rest on, always so, on an understanding of human nature, including capacities and agency. Such an understanding is enriched both by wisdom traditions and contemporary science. Fourth, the craft of living implies apprenticeship and exercises (askesis), over a period of time with an attitude of intentionality, consistency, and assessment. And finally fifth, the craft of living is about acting with wisdom, courage, and compassion.

Could you simplify that?
The craft of living is about the basic assumption that a flourishing life, a “life to the fullest,” is both a gift and a result of an intentional quest.

Does the CL invalidate God’s grace?
Christians believe that grace comes to us through divine providence and empowerment. None of that invalidates the truth that God’s gifts need to be received, nurtured, implemented, etc.

If one were to distill the basic goals of the CL, how they look like?
Wisdom, contentment, humility, resilience, wholeness, mindfulness, and love, among other. For a believer, all these would be in the context of devotion to God.

What aspects of human life does it pertain to?
All of them! True to the conviction that humans are psycho-somatic unities where every dimension impacts all others, the CL concerns matters such as sleep, nutrition, relationships, spirituality, work, and physical activity.

Does the CL require a commitment to a metaphysic?
It depends! There are elements of the CL that anyone can do and benefit from. At the same time, the CL always assumes, implicitly or explicitly, what it means to be human, which in turn rests on wider metaphysical commitments. A believer for whom union with God is the ultimate goal will be driven by different motives, moral exemplars, and means than someone who is a committed naturalist.

What are the universalistic claims of the CL?
There are basic needs essential to human flourishing, irrespective of his or her socio-historical and cultural location. The CL, while being particularist—we all have different callings, needs, challenges, etc.—understands this universalist dimension of human life.

Is the CL individualistic, neglecting the broader issues of social justice?
How could it be so, unless someone’s values themselves are narcissistic? The CL entails but a pursuit of authenticity, namely, the commitment to make one’s life reflect one’s beliefs.