Series 2 - Lesson 9 - Annotation 14
Why is it unwise for one to give himself up to excessive daydreaming?
14. It is unwise for one to give himself up to excessive daydreaming (uncontrolled use of the imagination) because the mental habits that one forms through excessive daydreaming are not conducive to good concentration. Excessive daydreaming prevents constructive thinking.
A daydream is a "reverie filled with pleasing, often illusory, visions or anticipations" (Webster's Dictionary). There are daydreams that are but a purposeless rambling of the imagination; hollow, meaningless shells without substance. They are not usually founded on a specific idea or plan, on any desire to accomplish something through effort of the dreamer, or through necessity for some particular thing.
Indulging excessively in daydreams and letting the mind wander become a habit which, if persisted in, brings undesirable consequences, because the imagination is not being used in constructive and creative channels. Mind is ever active, but man must direct its activity. Through the imagination one can project an image of an object without, or of ideas within. An idea has to be repeated and used many times before it is thoroughly established in the subconscious phase of mind where it becomes a reproductive pattern.
To indulge excessively in daydreams is often pleasant, but more often profitless. In this practice man's thought forces are frequently scattered and the focus of his attention and interest wanders to such an extent that he later finds it hard to think logically, creatively, and profitably along useful and purposeful lines of thought.
Instead of giving himself up to excessive daydreaming, one should use the formative power of thought, especially the imagination, to form clear mental pictures of divine ideas. Then, knowing that he is the all-wise, all-loving, all-conquering son of God, man should use his faith, understanding, will, and imagination to help himself to act and to achieve.
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Preceding Entry: What explanation is there for the appearances of ghosts?
Following Entry: is there any power outside of man to harm him?
