5 Ways to Stay Spiritually Grounded When Fantasy Calls

Inspired by Philosopher Simone Weil

By Kristina Robb Dover

Addiction and fantasy can often go hand in hand. An alcoholic friend of mine will often say that there are times when he “gets stuck in his head.” I know what he means.

While I have never craved the bottle, I know what it feels like to get stuck in my head, too. Many of us do.We can get stuck in our heads imagining all sorts of things, depending on our strongest attachments. If it’s money or things, then we’re thinking about the next paycheck and how to spend it, or the dress at the mall that will make us look stunning. If it’s work or achievement, we’re anticipating the next deal or book contract. If it’s affection from someone we love, we’re fantasizing about being in their arms. For those of us with especially active basal ganglia, we’ll find just about anything to obsess about, whether it is the meeting with our boss or our next interaction with the guy at the gym who is always ogling us.

In such instances, when our imaginations run wild, we can find ourselves increasingly untethered from ourselves and from God in the present moment. Because we are stuck some place else. In a place that is not real.

Here are five tips for staying grounded when fantasy calls, inspired by philosopher Simone Weil’s Gravity and Grace.

Kristina Robb Dover is an author and blogger. You can find her musings at "Fellowship of Saints and Sinners."