How to Keep Hold of Spiritual Thoughts

We think you have described to us, with great clearness and openness, not only the method of this spiritual discipline that we asked for, but perfection itself. For what can be more perfect and sublime than for the remembrance of God to be held in so brief a meditation? What can be higher than for it to escape all the limits of things visible by dwelling on a single verse, and to take in the thoughts of all our prayers in one short word? So we beg you to explain to us one thing that still remains: how we can keep a firm hold on this verse that you have given us as a formula. We want, in the same way that we have been set free by God’s grace from the trifles of worldly thoughts, also to keep a steady grasp on all spiritual ones. [a]