Disruptive thoughts (Christianity)

Thoughts inevitably arise when practising a discipline such as centering. They appear disruptive but are an integral part of the healing and growing process initiated by God. Rather than looking on them as painful distractions, one should see the broad perspective which includes interior silence and thoughts, the latter just as valuable in the process of purification as are moments of profound tranquillity. Thomas Keating defines five types of thought which come down the stream of consciousness when one starts to quieten the mind.

Wool gathering: These are superficial thoughts brought up by the imagination because of its natural inclination to be in perpetual motion. They should simply be accepted and not given attention so that the attention may be as undivided as circumstances allow.

Emotionally attractive thought: Here something in the thought excites the interest or curiosity. To return to loving attention on God some action is necessary. Here the method of centering implies resting the attention on the sacred word without annoyance at or involvement in the thoughts.

Insights and breakthroughs: These are spiritually very tempting as the thought arises to attend to the insight so it will not be forgotten. That thought if dwelled upon breaks the refreshment of interior silence. The discipline or self denial in allowing the insight to be experienced without thinking about it is an asceticism attacking the roots of attachment to the false self.

Self-reflection: Settling into deep peace, free from particular thoughts, the desire arises to reflect upon what is happening. The choice is to reflect upon what is going on or to let the experience go. If the latter is chosen, then one goes deeper into the interior silence. If the former, then one comes out of the inner stillness and has to start again. This is because reflection is one step back from experience - reflect on the experience and the experience itself is lost.

Interior purification: Meditation or prayer which transcends thinking starts the process of dynamic interior purification. Deep-rooted tensions are released in the form of emotionally charged thoughts. If one returns to the sacred word then the undigested psychological material of one's lifetime is gradually evacuated, early childhood programmes for instinctual happiness are dismantled and the false self gives way to the true self.