Bishop Robert Barron has often emphasized the importance of prayer, both as a daily discipline and as the means by which we enter into the divine life. In one striking moment, he referenced the Buddhist notion of the “monkey mind”—a term used to describe the constant chatter of thoughts, distractions, and internal noise that dominates much of our interior life. While the phrase comes from a non-Christian tradition, Barron uses it not to endorse Buddhist doctrine, but to illuminate a human reality that Catholic spirituality has long understood that the human soul, fragmented by sin and anxiety, must be stilled and recollected in prayer to commune with God.
This idea is not foreign to the Christian tradition. The Church has always taught that prayer is the path to union with God, and that silence, interior and exterior, is its fertile soil.
1. The Purpose of Prayer: Communion with God
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God” (CCC 2559). Yet even this definition assumes something deeper: the possibility of communion—of encounter, of love, of real relationship. But what happens when the mind is scattered?
The Church understands that human nature, wounded by original sin, is often restless. St. Augustine famously said, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee, O Lord.” That restlessness, that monkey mind, is not merely a psychological condition—it is a spiritual symptom. It reveals the soul’s longing for stability and peace, which can only be found in God.
2. The Early Church on Prayer and Silence
The early Church Fathers understood the battle of prayer intimately. For them, silence was not emptiness—it was the beginning of encounter.
St. John Cassian, in his Conferences, speaks of the importance of purity of heart as the goal of prayer. He writes: “We must keep the mind fixed during prayer on the words we are saying, or on the image of Christ crucified, so as not to wander.” He acknowledges the mind's tendency to flit from thought to thought, like a monkey swinging from branch to branch. His remedy? Stillness, a silence that is vigilant and loving.
Evagrius Ponticus, a desert father and theologian of the fourth century, gave a similar diagnosis: “If you are a theologian, you will pray truly; and if you pray truly, you are a theologian.” For Evagrius, the monkey mind was precisely what the thoughts or passions represented. The task of prayer was to recognize and reject these distractions, making space for divine indwelling.
Origen, writing even earlier, argued that prayer was the highest activity of the soul, but one that required discipline and purification. He insisted that prayer was not effective unless it proceeded from a mind and heart aligned with God. His On Prayer outlines not only the form of prayer but its preparation: detachment from worldly cares.
These Fathers are not advocating for escapism or quietism; they are inviting us into a battle for attention and intention—one that only succeeds through grace.
3. Jesus and the Inner Room
Christ Himself teaches us how to pray. In Matthew 6:6, He says: “But when you pray, go into your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
This inner room is not merely physical—it is the sanctuary of the heart. The monkey mind cannot enter here. It is the place where all distraction must be laid aside. The Church has always interpreted this passage spiritually: the inner room is where man is alone with God, where no eyes watch, and no voices echo but God’s.
4. Prayer as Warfare and Ascent
The Church’s mystical tradition also sees prayer as spiritual warfare. The mind’s distractions are not innocent. They are often manifestations of temptation, ego, pride, or disordered desire. The Philokalia, a treasury of early Christian monastic wisdom, speaks of the need to watch over the mind like a sentinel. The monks understood that undisciplined thoughts—what Bishop Barron calls the monkey mind—are not neutral. They can pull us away from God, fracture our attention, and immerse us in self-preoccupation.
At the same time, prayer is also ascent. St. Gregory of Nyssa describes the soul’s journey toward God as an ever-deepening ascent into mystery, a movement away from fragmentation toward unity. In this, the silence of prayer becomes not the absence of sound, but the presence of God.
5. Modern Implications: Distraction and Formation
In our age of constant notifications, digital noise, and chronic multitasking, the monkey mind is no longer just an occasional phenomenon—it is the default mode. This poses a unique challenge to spiritual formation today. If our minds are constantly distracted, they are incapable of receiving the Word. Faith comes by hearing, as St. Paul says (Romans 10:17)—but can we hear when we are so rarely still?
Bishop Barron’s insight calls us to re-embrace the Catholic tradition of recollection. The Rosary, the Liturgy of the Hours, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and Lectio Divina are not optional pieties—they are training grounds for attention. They are ways to discipline the mind so that it may rest in God.
6. Practical Application: Cultivating Interior Stillness
To move from monkey mind to prayerful mind, we must:
Make space: Create regular times of silence and solitude.
Practice presence: Begin prayer with a moment of breathing or recollection—“Lord, I am here. You are here.”
Use sacred structure: Let the Church's forms (Rosary, Psalms, liturgy) shape the mind and still the interior chatter.
Persevere: Even when distracted, return. As the Desert Fathers said, “Fall, get up. Fall, get up.” This staying in the room with God is itself a victory.
Talk to God, don’t just pray at Him: Prayer is more than formulas or rituals—it is conversation with a loving Father. Too often, we approach God with stiff formalities or distant reverence. But Jesus taught us to say, “Our Father.” He invites us into intimacy, not just liturgical duty. Speak to God with honesty. Tell Him your fears, your hopes, your day. He delights in your voice and wants your heart, not just your words.
Conclusion: The Silence That Speaks
In the end, prayer calms the monkey mind not by sheer willpower, but by love. When the heart truly loves, it grows still. The Church teaches that prayer is a dialogue with God—but dialogue requires listening. Silence, then, is not the absence of noise; it is the presence of Someone greater.
In the words of St. Teresa of Avila: “Prayer is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us.”
So let us take up the Church’s call to prayer not as a burden, but as a healing of the mind and the heart. For in the stillness of prayer, the monkey mind is quieted, and the voice of God can be heard.
Welcome to the St Michael’s Group! In a world facing a decline in religious belief and an increase in moral confusion, the need to reignite our faith has never been more critical. Religion’s capacity to offer meaning, foster ethical behavior, and build cohesive communities is vital for countering the spread of spiritual apathy and the influence of evil. By renewing our commitment to faith, we can combat the forces that seek to divide and weaken us. Reigniting our faith lives, therefore, is not just a personal endeavor but a collective responsibility. It is essential for preserving the moral and spiritual fabric of our society, ensuring that love, compassion, and justice continue to be the guiding principles of human existence.
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This is Dr. Currie Myers. I am an applied criminologist and criminal justice ethicist. I have been on faculty in the criminology department at Benedictine College for over 13 years and was a career law enforcement officer for 24 years. Most importantly I have a beautiful family. My wife and I have been married for 37 years, and we have five children and 10 grandchildren. You can view my work on applied criminology at drcurriemyers.substack.com. Have a great and blessed week and please subscribe and share this podcast with others. And more importantly, if you are struggling in life and need someone to talk to, we have a chat function that you can contact me directly.
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Dr Currie Myers, America's Criminologist - Former Agonistic turned Convert to the Catholic Faith. Dr. Myers is a published author and speaker. Contact (catholicspeakers.com) for Dr. Myers to speak at your event!
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