bought a mantra to concentrate

Flannery O'Connor from The Habit of Being

What people don't realize is how much religion costs. They think faith is a big electric blanket, when of course it is the cross. It is much harder to believe than not to believe. If you feel you can't believe, you must at least do this: keep an open mind. keep it open toward faith, keep wanting it, keep asking for it, and leave the rest to God.

St Augustine from Patches of Godlight

Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.