Not all the faculties and senses have to be employed in things, but only those that are required; as for the others, leave them unoccupied for God.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Use only the senses needed for a task and leave the rest idle for spiritual focus.
- In plain terms
- Focus on what is necessary and let the rest rest.
- What can you take from it?
- Conserve mental energy by limiting sensory engagement.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What senses do you engage unnecessarily?
- How does idleness serve you?
Another view
It can be hard to distinguish what is truly required.
More from John of the Cross
Love consists not in feeling great things but in having great detachment and in suffering for the Beloved.
Permalink to quote #40 The soul that desires God to surrender himself to it entirely must surrender itself entirely to him without keeping anything for itself.
Permalink to quote #42 If you desire to discover peace and consolation for your soul and to serve God truly, do not find your satisfaction in what you have left behind, because in th…
Permalink to quote #39
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