The watermill and the water buffalo: Monastic thoughts on distraction and mind
postmedieval March 1, 2026 Charlotte Eubanks, Jamie Kreiner
This dialogue examines how the late antique Christian monk John Cassian and the medieval Zen teacher Dōgen understood religious concentration, exploring both the importance of mental focus and the experience of its opposite, 'distraction' or 'loss of mind'. The authors draw on Cassian's and Dōgen's writings to discuss the role of concentrated attention in spiritual practice, suggesting that both traditions value sustained focus while also recognizing the challenges posed by distraction. The piece does not present empirical findings but offers a comparative philosophical and theological reflection on concentration and its disruption.