In a society that often measures success by wealth, possessions, and achievements, spiritual psychologist Dr. Bruce Davis, Ph.D., contends that we have lost sight of what truly makes life fulfilling: love. Davis, an international retreat guide at Silent Stay Retreats in Montecito, CA and Assisi Retreats in Assisi, Italy, and a nine-time author, including The Love Letters of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, draws inspiration from St. Francis, who famously renounced his wealth and privilege in pursuit of a deeper connection with life.
“Francis gave up wealth, privilege, and comfort because he discovered something more lasting,” Davis says. “When he stopped running away from his soul, from the great love inside, his life was transformed. Consequently, when he had plenty, his heart smiled. And when he had nothing, his heart still smiled.”
Davis believes people often chase material comforts to distract themselves from a deeper sense of emptiness. “Most of us spend our lives running from this love, keeping ourselves busy in pursuit of the small pleasures and comforts of this world,” he says. “We use them to numb and distract ourselves from the uncomfortable feeling that something essential is missing.”
But Davis says the answer isn’t necessarily to give up possessions or worldly comforts; it’s to make more room for love. “Do not focus so much on what you think you should give up. Love more instead!” says Davis. “Giving up everything is no guarantee of finding the soul. Instead, love first, second, and third.”
He adds, “When we discover that deeper love, as Francis did, the things of this world inevitably begin to lose their hold on us. We find less need to chase material pleasures and a growing desire to live for love and love alone.”
Davis’s perspective carries significant implications for a culture increasingly preoccupied with material success. As rates of anxiety, burnout, and isolation rise, his message suggests that the relentless pursuit of more may be exacerbating inner emptiness. By shifting focus from acquisition to love, individuals could experience greater fulfillment and reduce the constant craving for external validation.
For the retreat industry, Davis’s approach underscores a growing demand for experiences that foster spiritual and emotional connection rather than mere escape. His retreats, which have been guided worldwide since 1983, reflect this shift. Davis holds a doctorate from Saybrook University, and his 1977 book, “The Magical Child Within You,” was one of the earliest works devoted to nurturing the inner child. He and his wife, Ruth, lived for 12 years in Assisi, Italy, where they founded the Assisi Retreat Center, ranked among the top 10 meditation retreats in the world by CNN and Travel & Leisure magazine.
Davis’s book, “The Love Letters of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi,” explores the saints’ enduring messages of love, simplicity, and inner peace. For those interested in learning more, his work is detailed at brucedavis.onlinepresskit247.com. In a time when many feel overwhelmed by the pressures of modern life, Davis’s message offers a countercultural yet timeless remedy: love more, and the hold of material pursuits may naturally loosen.
