Are you an Idiot?

It might be extremely helpful if you were, since we actually need more “idiots” right now!

Let me explain…

One of the most powerful of all of the great Russian writer Dostoevsy’s novels was called the “Idiot”. It is a complicated but very powerful novel that has influenced many great thinkers, including Nietzche.

In the novel, the “idiot” is actually the 26 year old Prince Myshkin, who has returned to Russia after a stay of several years in a Swiss sanatorium where he encounters a society obsessed with money, power, and manipulation. In the midst of that society, he models a very different way of being that is powerfully countercultural and, therefore, is called the “idiot”. While people are struck by the beauty of his personality and the compassion he displays, they think of him as an idiot since he is so different and lacks formal education. Dostoevsky uses him as a type of “Christ figure”, attempting to bring healing and transformation. So, what can we learn from the “idiot”?

• The “Idiot” practiced kindness and compassion with everyone he encountered, regardless of the type of person they were. Somehow, he could see goodness in some very difficult and disturbed people who at times were cruel to him.
• The “idiot” practiced deep empathic understanding. The people who encountered him, despite their ridicule and at times very cruel behavior, in the end felt understood and confused as to how he knew so much about who they really were.
• The “idiot” worked for “redemption” and healing. He was committed to healing and loving even some of the more complicated and disturbed characters in the novel such as Nastasya, and hoped his love would bring deep healing. Further, he placed their interests and need for healing above his own. (Spoiler alert: the novel has a powerful ending!)
• The “idiot” was in touch with his own brokenness and vulnerability. He suffered from some type of seizures referred to as “fits” which could disorient him and leave him deeply embarrassed. Yet, out of his brokenness he could connect to the brokenness of those around him. His life brings to mind Henri Nouwen’s classic book, The Wounded Healer.
• Finally, the “idiot” was deeply aware of the deep existential issues of meaning and purpose, and could expose the shallowness of the culture around him. His presence encouraged people to understand their lives and live in such a way as to find some greater purpose.

Reading the Idiot on the beach during vacation was an interesting experience. While not exactly an easy beach read, I could not get the book out of my mind. In our present culture with so much anger, tribalism, and misunderstanding, I was left hoping for more people like Dostoevsky’s “Idiot”. In the midst of reading it, my wife and I watched a family at a restaurant come unglued with anger and rage, and was again reminded of the brokenness, pain, and suffering that is all too common.

So perhaps our challenge is to be more like the “Idiot”. The ancient words of the biblical text come to mind: “Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed…”  Maybe try being an Idiot in the best sense of the word? The people in your life will be grateful!