Wild Animals

CS Lewis described one of the barriers to living from the heart. He called them wild animals. To paraphrase, he said something like:

The problem in the Christian life occurs from the moment we set our feet to the
floor in the morning. The thoughts and cares of life rush at us like wild
animals.

He said that our job is to continually shove them back until we are able to create a little space, that can turn into minutes, hours, days, and so on.

I know of no other way to push them back, except through some form of contemplative activity.

I am begining to think that living life from the heart, where the core of our being is in communion with God and drives our actions, is impossible without some regular contemplative activity. It appears necessary, though maybe not sufficient.

There are many different types of contemplative practices. What ones are you familiar with and how successful have you been?