What do you study?
Observing how I spend my time and attention.
“The purpose of the Spiritual Disciplines is the total transformation of the person. They aim at replacing old destructive habits of thought with new life-giving habits. Nowhere is this purpose more clearly seen than in the Discipline of study. . . . The mind is renewed by applying it to those things that will transform it.”
- Donald S. Whitney
I've always considered myself studious, but after listening to Nathan Foster's chapter on studying in The Making of an Ordinary Saint, I began to question my level of studiousness. He quotes his father, Richard Foster:
“Study is the process whereby our minds take on an order conforming to the order of whatever we concentrate upon. Garbage in, garbage out; or conversely, beauty in, beauty out.”
I had to read his definition of study again. Why had I never thought of it that way? Studying wasn’t about concentration at all to me. While it sometimes required concentration, studying was about acquiring knowledge and acquiring knowledge was for approval. After all, even the Bible says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15, KJV).
Despite being a naturally curious person, my motives for studying are usually outward. I study things for the purposes of competency, not conformation. I study in order to teach, not to be transformed. Consequently, I study things quickly and efficiently to know as much as possible in the shortest amount of time. It is not for my benefit, though. It is for the benefit of those I teach, or for the approval of instructors or employers—usually in the form of a grade or promotion. The spiritual practice of study, though, is inward-focused and motivated by a desire to be transformed by that which is being studied.
Rather than trying to understand what a subject means generally, the spiritual studier seeks to know what something means for him. Rather than cramming for a test — filling one’s head with facts that are quickly regurgitated and just as soon forgotten — the spiritual studier aims to deeply absorb knowledge and make it a permanent part of his soul. And instead of being limited to the study of written texts, the spiritual studier also examines himself — a related exercise that also constitutes a distinct discipline.
-Brett and Kate McKay, The Spiritual Disciplines: Study and Self-Examination
Foster’s words indicate that consciously or unconsciously we are all concentrating on something(s) and that it is shaping the way we think. This is similar to Wesley’s instructions on holiness which included minding what one read, watched, and listened to. What the eyes and ears consume influences the soul and thus discretion is necessary. As soon as I read that quote from Foster, I asked, “What am I concentrating on? What do I study?”
For the next few days, I began to study myself. I took inventory of what I spent my time concentrating on. Each day I observed what I was giving my attention to throughout the day. I noted the content I read, listened to, and watched. I paid attention to the thoughts and feelings that captured my imagination. I reflected on the effects that these study habits might have on my soul. Through self-study or introspection, I begin to discern the subjects I want to give my attention to and the ones that I do not.
I am now setting my intentions on studying subjects that offer sustenance for personal and spiritual growth. One way I am doing this is in my practice of reading. I usually try to read so many pages a day, or as much as I can in a certain period of time. I have come to see that these metrics are more aligned with my performance motives than with transformation. Instead, I am now reading with a pen in hand and a journal nearby. I give myself time each day to read what I can and then reflect on it in my journal.
I am also studying myself using the Prayer of Examen. The Prayer of Examen allows me to explore my feelings and motives in God’s presence. The Examen only takes 15-20 minutes and fits nicely in my schedule throughout the day. I consider it my therapy with Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
I am also going to spend less time concentrating on things that aren’t truly transformative—like my social media newsfeed. I consume a lot of “empty calories” every day reading comment after comment about social issues, bad news, other people’s personal problems, and fruitless debates. Such content is minimally transformative but highly addictive. It overstimulates and induces anxiety in me. The trade-off for the temporary distraction it offers is no longer worth it.
But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
I encourage you to take over the next week and track what you are doing with your time. Here are some questions you can use to become conscious of your study habits.
What subjects take up most of your time and attention?
What do you find yourself concentrating on?
What causes your mind to feel alive?
What leaves you feeling overwhelmed or drained?
How many empty calories of media are you consuming a day?
How does what you study align with how you want to grow as a person?
Why are you studying what you are studying? Dig down to discover your true motivation.