The Wandering Mind by Megan Kreiner
What Medieval Monks Tell Us About Distraction
Drawing on the lives and writings of early medieval monks, this study explores how people in the past grappled with distraction, devising routines, rules, and mental exercises to corral wandering thoughts. Through vivid case studies and close readings of monastic texts, it shows that attention was a scarce resource long before digital devices, and that strategies to protect it were entwined with power, community, and ideas about the self. The narrative connects centuries-old practices—like prayer schedules, memorization, and environmental design—to contemporary conversations about focus, revealing both the promise and limits of discipline as a remedy for mental drift.
- Published
- 2023
- Nationality
- American
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 280-300
- Original Language
- English
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- Alternate Titles
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