One Hundred and Eighty-Second Subject. Dissipation

Brother Philippe, Subjects for Particular Examen, 1870, p. 291

The bewitching of vanity obscureth good things, and the wanderings of concupiscence overturneth the innocent mind.—WIS. iv. 12.
Dissipation is the state of a man, fickle, frivolous, always ready to talk, to trifle, to go and come, without reflection and without motives.
Dissipation is one of the greatest impediments to the spiritual life, to meditation, to the spirit of faith. as we learn from æsthetic authors; it may even destroy in some hours graces acquired by entire months of painful efforts, causes us to lose the benefits of a good meditation, and even of a good retreat, to scandalize our neighbor, and to sow disorder in a community.
A distracted soul will never be a soul of meditation, of prayer, of love for God; she will do little good for herself, will be little useful to her neighbor, and what is still worse, she will be little agreeable to God.
Let us examine now how it is with us in regard to this unhappy defect. Do we observe order in our community? Are we not for others, subjects of trouble and derangement? Do we observe a fitting reserve in our steps, in our intercourse with our brothers, in our manner of acting, of speaking, of laughing? Are we faithful to the silence prescribed by the rules, either for the times, the places, and the circumstances of life?
Let us look upon ourselves in this mirror, and if we recognize our likeness, let us hasten to correct ourselves, for the remedies to this evil should be applied promptly. Justly alarmed at this menace of the prophet, with desolation shall the earth be laid waste, and it shall be utterly spoiled; let us avoid such misery, and let us follow the example of holy King David, who cried out: I will keep my strength to Thee, for Thou art my protector.—Ps. lviii. 10.