VI. SUBJUGATION
OF THE INTERNAL SENSES.
1. Controlling
the Central Sense
The central sense makes us conscious of the operations
of the external senses. Its subjugation consists in guarding against the two extremes
of sense-consciousness, lethargy, and sensitiveness. A good will ought to turn
instantly from any dangerous impression on the one hand, and, by distinguishing
between impression and consent, have no grounds for vain fears on the other
hand. We should turn as promptly from moral evil as we instinctively recoil
from physical pain; but over-sensitiveness is founded neither on reason nor on
faith, and retards our progress by paralyzing our energies.
2. Purifying the
Imagination
The imagination receives and reproduces the impressions
made on the external senses. Though the first impressions, called phantasms, are
usually vague and indistinct, their reproduction and elaboration may be brought
out clearly by a reflex action of the will. The subjugation of the imagination
consists in preserving and purifying it from all sinful and dangerous impressions.
To attain this end we must guard against idle, dangerous, and sinful impressions,
and try to forget the dangerous ones we have received. Hence we should (1) not
permit the imagination to roam aimlessly; (2) not excite it uselessly; (3) not
permit it to dwell too much on worldly things; (4) not over-indulge it even on
indifferent subjects; (5) not believe it too readily; (6) not blame it for our
levity, impatience, or laziness; (7) but constrain it gently to become
preoccupied with useful and devotional subjects.
3. Restraining
the Instinct.
The instinct perceives what is conducive and what
is harmful to animal life. It impels man, says St. Bernard, to seek his ease,
his comfort, and especially his carnal gratification. The baser the passion it
arouses, the more violent also is its impulse.
To subdue the instinct we must (1) guard against
impressions that may arouse wicked suggestions; (2) energetically subdue those
we cannot avoid; (3) guard against the gratification of idle curiosity; (4)
deny ourselves in some things lawful; (5) strengthen ourselves by recollection
and prayer; (6) obey our spiritual director; (7) never grow discouraged in the
conflict; (8) and never imagine ourselves immune from the assaults of the
flesh.
4. Purifying the
Memory
The memory retains and identifies past impressions.
The voluntary reproduction of these impressions in man is called reminiscence,
while the retention and reproduction of past thoughts is the work of the mind.
We subjugate the memory by purifying it of
impressions that are dangerous to virtue, or that hamper us in concentrating
our energies on elevating and useful things. To succeed we must (1) avoid sinful
occasions and association; (2) not recall in too vivid a manner the memory of
past sins; (3) forget injuries received; (4) cultivate detachment from earthly
things; (5) not dwell too frequently or too fondly on the pleasant
recollections of life.
To succeed we should (1) cherish the benefits
of creation, redemption, and sanctification; (2) think of the wants of the
Church and of the trials of the Holy Father ; (3) remember the sad condition of
sinners, the poverty of the poor, and the suffering of the sick; (i) often
recall our own humble origin, our obligations and infidelities, the shortness
of life, the value of grace, the certainty of death and of judgment, the
suffering of the souls in purgatory, the terrors of hell, and the beatitude of
heaven.
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