The Garden of the Mind

Likewise, first of all, the vain fantasies original: "fantasien." In this context, these are not pleasant daydreams, but intrusive, distracting thoughts and mental images that pull the focus away from prayer and God. must be quieted / and given no credence / or else the senses remain entangled in vanity : This is more strongly and easily overcome through a quiet suckling at the breasts of Divine Love / which occurs in the secrecy of the heart through faith in a Divine Good that is hidden within / and which a person carries with them unknowingly : For through this knowledge Philemon was blessed, as the Apostle [Paul] says: Through the knowledge of every good thing that is in you in Christ Jesus. A reference to Philemon 1:6. We have great joy and comfort in your love. And to the Colossians he says: You are full of the same Referring to Colossians 2:10, being "complete" or "filled" in Christ.: For one must know that God has no fewer means to soothe His own through direct enjoyment original: "dadelijke genietinge." This implies a practical, felt experience of God’s presence rather than just an abstract idea. / as a mother has to quiet her child / but first the fantasies must be powerfully suppressed / and held in low regard : for if one gives them any audience / they lead the heart astray / and prevent the sweet kiss of the soul / which occurs in the grace of the Bridegroom / just as the Bride in the Song of Songs original: "Cantica." Referring to the Song of Solomon, which was traditionally interpreted by mystics as a love story between God (the Bridegroom) and the human soul (the Bride). speaks:

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.

And in order that this kiss may be properly received / it must be met with a corresponding response through a lovely turning of the soul toward the