Jamie Kreiner

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Jamie Kreiner, a historian at the University of Georgia, unravels the fascinating world of medieval monks and their profound insights on distraction. She explores their advanced mnemonic techniques, such as the memory palace, and reveals their unique meditation practices focused on associative thinking. Jamie highlights the diversity within monastic life, including overlooked female and genderqueer monks. With ties to contemporary cognitive practices, she showcases how these monks battled distractions while striving for spiritual clarity and community support.

Jamie Kreiner, a historian and professor at the University of Georgia, dives into the world of medieval monks and their struggles with distraction in her book, The Wandering Mind. She reveals how these monks viewed distraction as a matter of life and death, employing techniques like regimented schedules and memory training to conquer it. Kreiner discusses gendered perspectives on distraction, the impact of bodily needs, and the ambivalence towards books as tools for focus. Her insights reveal that our modern distraction challenges echo those of the past.

In this insightful discussion, Jamie Kreiner, a history professor at the University of Georgia, delves into the lives of medieval monks and their battle against distraction. She reveals that these early monastics faced challenges eerily similar to our own and developed innovative strategies to maintain focus. Kreiner highlights the significance of community support, bodily practices, and even the design of books in this quest. She also emphasizes how their experiences can inform our modern approaches to managing attention and navigating distractions.