Lately I have been aware of the limitations of thinking. Intentional thinking can only go so far. The reason is that the beginning of our awareness and cognition is really subconscious. It is like a well-spring. Our conscious thoughts derive from our subconscious ones. And our subconscious ones defy control.
This is why, for example, it is so hard to think your way out of anxiety. It is why rituals work. During rituals, you stop thinking. Rather, you stop your conscious thinking. When we ritualize something, it becomes a part of who we are. We internalize.
Nothing has been more powerful in my own personal journey and prayer life than doing aum chants. This is when I sit in a quiet room, cross my legs, and sing long drawn out aums. Something about the tone resonates in my chest and is like a balm for my brain. I stop judging and start simply observing everything about myself. It is during these times when I have felt closest to Jesus. It was during these times when I am most aware of the reality of guardian angels. It has been during these chants when I am the most able to accept reality, something which we all struggle with to one extent or another.
I can’t help but acknowledge how much harder it is today to get into a subconscious mindset. Even 17 years ago before people had smart phones, days would contain more snippets of time that weren’t filled. Five minutes here and there were times when you could turn off your mind and feel. Over the course of the day, this would happen often.
Not that smart phones are all bad. Of course they aren’t. But what might have come more naturally less than two decades ago now has to be intentionally cultivated.