“When the mind, for want of being sufficiently reduced by recollection at our first engaging in devotion, has contracted certain bad habits of wandering and dissipation, they are difficult to overcome, and commonly draw us, even against our wills, to the things of the earth. I believe one remedy for this is to confess our faults, and to humble ourselves before God. I do not advise you to use multiplicity of words in prayer: many words and long discourses being often the occasions of wandering. Hold yourself in prayer before God, like a dumb or paralytic beggar at a rich man's gate. Let it be your business to keep your mind in the presence of the Lord. If it sometimes wander and withdraw itself from Him, do not much disquiet yourself for that: trouble and disquiet serve rather to distract the mind than to re-collect it: the will must bring it back in tranquility. If you persevere in this manner, God will have pity on you.”
Quote by Brother Lawrence
Work
This book is a compilation of teachings and meditations that aim to help readers cultivate a deeper spiritual connection with God through mindfulness and reflection. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a conscious awareness of God's presence throughout daily activities and offers practical advice for achieving this state of being. more
Author
Brother Lawrence, originally named John Lawrence, was a French Catholic monk known for his profound insights into everyday life and his faith in the presence of God. His life and thoughts have had a profound impact on posterity. more
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