The Phenomena of a Passive Mind 525
the evil spirits in his mind. If he resists their deeds day and night he
shall regain his freedom.
InsomniaInsomnia is one of the common ills of the saints; it is likewise a
particularly distinctive work of the enemy in the mind of man. Many
find that as they lie in their beds endless thoughts pour into their
head. They continue to think about their day’s work or to recall past
experiences or just to fill their minds with a hodgepodge of unrelated
matters. They appear to be considering a thousand different ideas
such as what they should do, how they should do it, and what should
be the best plan. They think ahead to the affairs on the morrow: how
to plan, what might happen, or how to handle a variety of situations.
Considerations like these inundate them in waves. Though these
people know that bed is the place for sleep and not one for thinking
as is a desk, nonetheless their brain revolves incessantly. They
appreciate the importance of sleep for the next day’s task; they really
want to sleep and not think; and yet, due to cause unknown, they
cannot. Their mind works relentlessly on and sleep escapes them.
Some saints may have suffered the anguish of countless nights of
insomnia: as usual when night has fallen they have laid down all
concerns and have prepared to rest their minds; nonetheless, no
matter how weary they may have been their mind has not been able
to rest. For like a machine which cannot be turned off, it continues to
operate. Their will has no control over their brain. They are helpless
to stop their thinking and can only wait till somehow their mind
ceases to work so that they can secure some sleep. In the natural
course of events sleep revives one’s spirit; but when one has
experienced untold nights of insomnia such a believer will come to
dread sleep, bed and the night. He has to rest, yet each morning he
feels as though he is emerging from a terrible world: his head is
heavy, his will is numbed, and he seems to have no energy.