Our inner fragmentation and the dispersion of energies in which we usually live have much to do with one of the most deeply rooted and unnoticed automatisms we suffer from. It is that constant proclamation we make of our likes and dislikes about everything and all things. This discourse, which takes place mostly in our mental world, is so frequent that it has made judging seem natural to us. To perceive is not to judge. In fact, we have much closer duties to fulfil than going around the world labelling what happens according to our particular appetites.

But there are many things that are not right and deserve to be changed in the world.

No doubt, but we must see the beam in our own eye (Matthew 7:1-5), and while we do this, which is a lifelong task, we can apply ourselves to the daily duties that belong to our state of life or particular task and exercise there the liturgy of the instant. It is not a matter of refraining from constructive actions towards others or towards the world, but of being clear about our field of action at each moment.

If you work in the garden, it will be fine for you to decide which species to plant and which weeds to discard, that this does not look right in that corner, and similar decisions that arise from your likes and dislikes. But they are fitting; they pertain to your gardening. Likewise, if you are a politician, you must work to change the laws you consider inadequate in order to promote those that seem better to you; if you work in the kitchen, you will see which ingredients are suitable, and tasting dishes, approving or disapproving, will be your daily task.

We are referring to the countless thoughts that accompany each perception and are beside the point. They darken our gaze and draw us out of the heart. It may have happened to you that you go to the cinema with someone and, instead of simply watching the film, this person keeps whispering in your ear the opinions that arise in different scenes. This hinders your perception of the story, conditions you and in a way takes away your chance to watch the scenes attentively. Well, the mind does the same to us with life. We must understand that silence can be the response to our perceptions. A silence that is respectful of what God permits.

Yes, I see it. How do I get out of this? It seems impossible.

Suggested practice:

Before beginning your activities, set your best disposition to attend, throughout the whole day, to this matter of the automatic judging or labelling that happens to us. There are three ways that are very useful for gradually getting used to disregarding unnecessary thoughts. First, when you discover yourself wandering, turn to the repetition of the Jesus Prayer. Ask fervently for the grace of inner silence, that which allows us to live in His presence. Another way, which complements the previous one, is to devote yourself to doing impeccably whatever you have in hand, transforming what you do into liturgy, into a ceremony of intimate invocation.

You can help this praying with one’s conduct, or implicit prayer, by bringing your attention to perception itself, through the senses that are most attuned to you in the situation. Do you hear the little bird and its song? Do you feel the warm water on your hands while you wash? Do you see the nuances that the sunlight paints on that tree? Do you feel the beat of life in your body while you wait in the queue at the market? These three ways, in different degrees, leave us in the atrium of the inner temple.

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