Peace to you!

Each week, the Monk Mindset newsletter comes with:

Monk Mindset for Living Well

Monk Mindset 7
Discern Carefully, Commit Confidently: Making Decisions

Reflection on the Monk Mindset and Quote

John of the Cross reveals a profound truth about discernment: our capacity for good decision-making depends largely on our willingness to empty ourselves so that we can be filled with something … Someone greater. 

When we approach decisions with a heart full of selfish ambition, worldly wisdom, fear, and our own predetermined plans, we crowd out room for the Holy Spirit to guide us. Our internal noise can drown out God's still, small voice. Like a vessel already overflowing with our own desires, there's no space for God to pour in His perfect will.

The "pure and simple and empty" soul that John of the Cross describes is one that has learned to surrender its will to God's will. 

Practically speaking, when the cup within us is filled with God’s presence, we increasingly unite our will to God’s will. This means that in the small and big decisions of daily life, we organically start to decide what is best for us, what leads us to flourish. 

Because we’re increasingly immersed in God, we actually want what God wants for us, which all along is the best thing for us. 

It no longer becomes a battle between “my will” and “God’s will”, it’s just “our will” because they increasingly fuse together. 

When we empty ourselves of pride, fear, and selfish ambition, we create space to be filled with wisdom, peace, and direction. 

This is the heart of discernment: not just making good choices, but making choices that align with God's perfect will for our lives.

Put It Into Practice This Week

Identify one area in your heart that you know deep down crowds out space for God. 

Close your eyes and ask for the grace for this desire to decrease and instead be filled with God’s desires.

Imagine Him pouring Himself into that part of you that was filled with unhealthy desires.

Now ask for the grace to make decisions that flow from Him.

If you continue this practice, you’ll increasingly see decisions through God’s eyes, which are really just the unclouded version of your own eyes. 

Help us Build the Next Monk thing!

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Interested in getting early access and helping shape the future of Monk Mindset? 

Will only take a couple of hours of time in early August. 

If you’re interested in contributing to this mission in this way, please confirm your interest and we’ll be in touch! (survey takes 1 min)

Wishing you abundant peace this week,

John

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