At my father’s knee

Or some other low joint. “Let me tell you how it is, son. Let me tell you how the world works.” Oh boy. First, we cling to our toys, then to our opinions.

Emptying the toy box

Perhaps you’re aware of a waning interest in your thoughts. That’s a good thing! Thoughts depend for their survival on one thing—our interest in them. Less interest, fewer thoughts, more space. Paul spoke of this as a process of putting aside childish things.

Childish things

We clear the mind of memories when we lose interest in what we are remembering. This happens naturally, without intention or effort, and hastens as regret and anticipation slink away without saying goodbye.

The watcher

The father watches his son play with his toys. His attention goes to the boy, not the toys. In like manner, we watch the mind, aware of but indifferent to its laddish fascinations.