Perceiving with Purpose: Liberating the Mind with Stillness and Control
We were made to perceive, but not to be ruled by what we sense. True clarity comes when perception is tempered by stillness, purpose, and a mind anchored in something higher. A reflection in May.
So here we are after a first full month of writing on Thoughts to Dwell. I wanted to note how grateful I am for those of you who have reached out to me about my writing. All of you here are treasured as readers, and I’m glad to know some others who are life-long learners. Enjoy dwelling.
—DHP
This past week, as schools have come to end for the summer, and as the spring rains have freshened the grounds of the Midwest, I’ve been reminded just how important it is to slow down once in awhile.
There is nothing more peaceful than a slow spring rain. The gentle fall of life-giving water, purifying the air as it comes down.
Here in Kansas, our state is famous for the volatile and oftentimes dangerous weather. It is common in the spring for thunderstorms to rage and boom, while temperatures fluctuations are a weekly occurrence. High precipitation, drought, cold, hot, we have it all.
Why mention this? Because it draws us toward questions worth considering:
What influence do outside factors have on our minds?
Why are we so influenced by our perceptions?
How can we ground our minds to stand firm amidst those ever changing perceptions?
How are perceptions both liberating and constraining on the human experience?
Perception—One of our greatest abilities but biggest pitfalls.
As human beings, our perception varies so widely that it serves us little to expand too much on them within a shorter article. That aside, it’s important to remember that what we see, hear, touch, smell, and taste have a profound impact on not only what we think but how we think. Our perceptions, to a large degree, shape our well-being, moods, and our desires—both consciously and subconsciously.
Just think of how visual we are with our eyes. Just think of how dependent we are on our hearing. The sights we can’t get enough of, or the slight tones of deeply felt music. All of these perceptions give us such amazing ways to experience our world and life.
So how can these be constraints then?
Our very nature is to live through our senses. Those are the tools that God gave us to live and experience life with. We use them to our benefits, but they also can be constraining on us as a whole if overindulged.
We were not created to be ruled by our senses. We were made with a purpose, not for whims.
The moment when our senses become overly distracting, swaying, or granted precedence over the aims we have in life… That’s when we need to reassess what exactly we are doing.
The ability to perceive through sense therefore, can be a fun and liberating experience for us, but also a great trap for the mind. Without discipline, awareness, and ongoing training, we are swayed by the wind and tossed by the sea. As Paul the apostle once said in Romans 13:14:
“Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Perception Must Be Subordinated to What is more Meaningful
Indeed, we need not seek gratification, but rather through focused control over our perceptions we can live for a greater Aim. Instead of being unaware of this trap and fallen to indulgence, we can be aware and intentional with how we see the world.
What does this mean in practical terms?
Putting limits on what you look at most. Being careful of what your listening to. Analyze how you are treating your body—is it being indulged or is it being genuinely cared for?
Life more full means finding the right balance of guardrails and freedom for oneself. To much of one or the other leads to either over-indulging our senses or inflating our ego.
Be Still and Know
So how can we anchor our minds to stay on the path amidst the ever-changing and fluctuating perceptions we have?
One of the answers is to be still. Instead of being slave to what you can only sense, slow down once in awhile and control what you perceive. Use your mind. Think about what you experience. Be reflective and intentional with how you perceive life.
We’ve all heard the saying “Don’t just go through the motions.” This exactly applies to our aim here, but in regard to our mind.
When you implement stillness, focus, and imagination into your daily living as you experience different things, you’ll find that your life will be more full. You’ll have more meaningful moments. You’ll have richer dialogue with those you love.
And when you slow down, you just might remember to be grateful—which is certainly a great side benefit in of itself. And we don’t want only to be grateful for the ability to perceive, but for the freedom to choose how we do. After all, isn’t that what separates us from the animals?
Human beings are perceptive creatures. But only few of us learn how to properly perceive for maximum gain. The path to that lies in focus, stillness, and choice. These will help craft a stronger mind and a more full life when applied to how we interact and perceive the world around us.
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” — Psalm 37:7 NIV
“Don’t be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” —Solomon in Ecclesiastes 5:2
