Vol. 11, No. 3, July, 2006

From the Editor
Sr. Jan Nattermann, S.N.C.

If you recall, we have been looking at the mind as a place of battle in spiritual war-fare. One condition of the mind of many people is a wandering mind or an inability to concentrate and comprehend. This can be due to years of letting the mind do what it wants to do, go where it wants to go, think what it wants to think. Reasons for this could be no discipline applied to one's thought life, a vitamin deficiency or extreme fatigue. But more often than not it is due to a lack of discipline of one's thought life.

The word "wander" is basically defined as to roam, to meander. Have you experienced listening to a speaker and minutes later you wonder what was said? The evil one wants you to think, "Oh, this is a common problem for most people and so it is okay." Or, "That is just the way I am and can do nothing about it."

The truth is, discipline of the mind is probably needed. Keep your mind on what you are doing, rather than what you already did or what you might be doing later in the day. Live in the present moment to banish fear and anxiety and enjoy peace of mind. Don't allow your mind to run wild, to be undisciplined. You will need to practice for a while because breaking old habits is not easy. But taking control of your thinking fills you with peace, which the devil does not want you to have. Once he sees that you are not going to give in to a wandering mind he will give up and you will enjoy the victory of self control and peace that passes all understanding.