Peace to you!

Each week, the Monk Mindset newsletter comes with:

Monk Mindset for Living Well

Monk Mindset 6
Seek Nothing to Find Everything: Detachment

Reflection on the Monk Mindset and Quote

Do you ever let your thoughts or imagination run wild and then feel the negative effects later on? Or allow your eyes to look at whatever you want and then regret not having greater discretion?

The ancient monastic practice of “custody of the heart” is intended to insulate our heart from spiritual viruses and bacteria that can infect and deteriorate God’s presence within us. 

And this custody of the heart starts with “custody of the thoughts” and “custody of the senses”. Let’s break them both down.

“Custody of your thoughts” helps to insulate the heart from chaos and pain. 

All of us have experienced starting to think of something that we know is not healthy for us — resentment for a person, fantasies for another, praise or adulation from others. These things begin in our thoughts and creep into the heart where they can take up lodging.

“Custody of the senses” – especially custody of the eyes, means being disciplined about what we choose to let in through our senses, especially in what we choose to look at. It doesn't necessarily mean facing the ground every second avoiding eye contact. But it does mean protecting your eyes from letting in things that tend to taint the light within. 

For one person custody of the eyes may look like not physically “checking out” someone walking by. For another, it may mean not going to check their stock portfolio or social feed 5 times a day. For another it may be not consuming dark or overly sensual media content. 

Every single person reading this has something they need to protect their eyes, thoughts, and heart from more in order to preserve God’s radiance within. And likely you already know what this thing is.

Put It Into Practice This Week

What’s one thing you struggle to keep custody of the eyes, thoughts or heart with?

Be honest with yourself – and name it so that you can really call it out.

Now. Close your eyes and imagine the next time you're faced with this object or situation. Imagine yourself having “custody” of your eyes and thoughts – to not look or let in this object. 

Go within yourself and try to feel what it’s like to remain insulated and preserved. 

So, the next time you face this situation, remember the delight of choosing custody of the eyes and heart and remain there.

Wishing you abundant peace this week,

John

Enjoying Monk Mindset newsletter?

Share this link with someone who can benefit!

monkmindset.com