Mastering the Monkey Mind
Your mind is an unpredictable jungle of thought. It extends as far as the eye can see, and as far as third eye cannot yet see. This jungle is made up of trees, an endless variety of trees. All shapes and sizes, these trees represent concepts, theories, ideas and dreams. Each tree vies for your affection, your admiration, but to appreciate each tree will take a lifetime.
To aid in this process, we have been given a mental monkey. This monkey is responsible for swinging between trees, learning and discovering on your command. But just as helpful as he can be, the monkey can also be harmful. “Monkey mind” is a common phrase among yogis. When your monkey screeches out of control, swinging aimlessly and carelessly between trees of thought. Your mind no longer has control, the monkey does.
How do you control this cheeky marsupial? Most days I would settle for a tranquilizer gun and a large steel cage. But the less aggressive, and ultimately more effective approach is with enticement.
Give him a sunny meadow, a comfy recliner and a banana, better yet, a banana mocktail (with mini umbrella, of course). Provide an opportunity for your monkey to stop moving, kick his feet up and simply relax. We call this, meditation.
From this comfortable seat, the monkey can appreciate the vastness of your mental jungle. An objective look at the grove of thought he is often entangled within. He can observe each tree - each idea, each thought – as a separate entity that can be climbed in one calm and focused effort. When the monkey has determined which tree of thought to explore, usually a reflection of where you’re at in life, he rises from his chair and saunters over to the tree. This tree is called your intention.
Running his hand along the coarse, wide trunk he begins to examine the bark. This rough exterior seems daunting at first but the monkey knows the beautiful truth he seeks, lies just beneath. He next reaches for one of the low-lying branches, questioning its purpose, its necessity, its worth. Grasping onto one of its numerous green leaves, the monkey next admires the beauty that came from within this branch. How did this beautiful leaf grow from such a hard, seemingly impenetrable substance, the monkey wonders? He knows the answer lies further up the tree – further into meditation. Wrapping his long, spindly tail around the first branch, he swings himself upward. Peacefully moving from limb to limb, he continues to examine the composition of the tree – the intention.
Everything seems to become clearer as he ascends. The idea that was once a large overgrown mass of bark and branches now appears to be a well-manicured and structured thought. When he finally reaches the top of the tree, he softly gazes towards the ground so far below. He appreciates how far he’s climbed and how much he’s learned.
Whistling gently, the monkey slowly descends from this mental and spiritual peak. He returns his chair and respectfully looks back on the idea he has just successfully climbed, contemplated, further understood.
One more moment of uninterrupted bliss (and the final sip of his mocktail) before “Oooh Oooh Ahhh Ahh”. The monkey screeches to life once again!
As you rise from your meditative state and the “real world” hits you like a ten-ton lorrie truck, your monkey is free to roam the jungle once again. Try to monitor his behaviors and guide his wanderings. Remember, you are in control. You are the master of your monkey.
Om...Santi, Santi, Santi.
To aid in this process, we have been given a mental monkey. This monkey is responsible for swinging between trees, learning and discovering on your command. But just as helpful as he can be, the monkey can also be harmful. “Monkey mind” is a common phrase among yogis. When your monkey screeches out of control, swinging aimlessly and carelessly between trees of thought. Your mind no longer has control, the monkey does.
How do you control this cheeky marsupial? Most days I would settle for a tranquilizer gun and a large steel cage. But the less aggressive, and ultimately more effective approach is with enticement.
Give him a sunny meadow, a comfy recliner and a banana, better yet, a banana mocktail (with mini umbrella, of course). Provide an opportunity for your monkey to stop moving, kick his feet up and simply relax. We call this, meditation.
From this comfortable seat, the monkey can appreciate the vastness of your mental jungle. An objective look at the grove of thought he is often entangled within. He can observe each tree - each idea, each thought – as a separate entity that can be climbed in one calm and focused effort. When the monkey has determined which tree of thought to explore, usually a reflection of where you’re at in life, he rises from his chair and saunters over to the tree. This tree is called your intention.
Running his hand along the coarse, wide trunk he begins to examine the bark. This rough exterior seems daunting at first but the monkey knows the beautiful truth he seeks, lies just beneath. He next reaches for one of the low-lying branches, questioning its purpose, its necessity, its worth. Grasping onto one of its numerous green leaves, the monkey next admires the beauty that came from within this branch. How did this beautiful leaf grow from such a hard, seemingly impenetrable substance, the monkey wonders? He knows the answer lies further up the tree – further into meditation. Wrapping his long, spindly tail around the first branch, he swings himself upward. Peacefully moving from limb to limb, he continues to examine the composition of the tree – the intention.
Everything seems to become clearer as he ascends. The idea that was once a large overgrown mass of bark and branches now appears to be a well-manicured and structured thought. When he finally reaches the top of the tree, he softly gazes towards the ground so far below. He appreciates how far he’s climbed and how much he’s learned.
Whistling gently, the monkey slowly descends from this mental and spiritual peak. He returns his chair and respectfully looks back on the idea he has just successfully climbed, contemplated, further understood.
One more moment of uninterrupted bliss (and the final sip of his mocktail) before “Oooh Oooh Ahhh Ahh”. The monkey screeches to life once again!
As you rise from your meditative state and the “real world” hits you like a ten-ton lorrie truck, your monkey is free to roam the jungle once again. Try to monitor his behaviors and guide his wanderings. Remember, you are in control. You are the master of your monkey.
Om...Santi, Santi, Santi.