When I began practicing Centering Prayer / Hesychasm, I was indeed surprised to learn that I could take control of my thoughts in a very real way, and thereby c

When I began practicing Centering Prayer / Hesychasm, I was indeed surprised to learn that I could take control of my thoughts in a very real way, and thereby control my emotions as well. Since we spend all day, every day, immersed in our own thoughts, it is not easy to realize what types of thoughts are abnormal, or unwanted, or uncontrolled, until we start quantifying that and comparing them to other people's experiences. Myself, suffering C-PTSD and a lot of ruminating, recurring negative thoughts, of course they hold me back, and I do not want them. So contemplation is a good opportunity to take control of thoughts, or more precisely, to let go of that which is unwanted, to just let them float down the stream while I observe and direct. To center my thoughts on Christ and contemplate His essence, this is the core of existence. Once I complete a session, my emotions are calmed, anger is quelled, and I also find that the associated physiological symptoms are improved commensurately. My PCP, for example, pressured me so hard to go on statins, that I practiced some intensive Centering Prayer for a few months while eating organic, home-cooked meals. I monitored my blood pressure, and I was able to demonstrate concrete and dramatic improvement over a few months' time.