Tag Archives: monkey mind

Taming The Monkey-Mind

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With 10,000 things floating around in our minds, it is difficult to sit still. Mastering our minds we learn to master the 10,000 things. These 10,000 things, often referred as the monkey mind, can create restlessness within our being and ultimately an imbalance. Taming the monkey mind…we find peace once again.

Sitting quietly in a room or a favorite place will help but may not be enough. Do you ever feel like you can’t stop thinking about the mundane? You ever feel constant restlessness? Restlessness becomes angst, angst becomes worry. Difficulty eliminating the monkey mind? Maybe it’s time to spank that monkey?!

Letting out the proverbial yell…enough! Then re-focusing our attention on that which we most desire. Simply focusing on our breath is enough, aiding in establishment of our intention. During meditation we need only focus on our breath while maintaining our thoughts on that which we most desire. Remembering to drop thoughts of what we do not. That which our attention goes, energy flows.

Examples of ‘Monkey Mind’…What am I getting get at the grocery store? When do I have to pick up the kids? What am I doing tomorrow? These are all questions that might be floating around in our minds. For the next 20 to 30 minutes let go of these ideas just breathe. In breathing we find calmness.

Stepping into the Canvas whilst taming the monkey-mind. It is through our own distractions that we fail to see beauty in our every day. Through our distractions we paint a dismal canvas for our days. Eliminating these distractions, we are left to openness…like that of a child…to whatever comes our way. We change rapidly with our surroundings or happenings, we adapt to our current situations, we paint a glorious picture upon our Canvas of Life. Beauty within the Canvas, comes from the self…but we have to be willing to let go of distractions.

Dissolving the 10,000 Things

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By using “two ears and one mouth,” in that order, we are more affective in our daily routines. Whether one is a teacher, mentor, leader or anyone else for that matter. Speaking less and listening more, allows others to not only vent but speak their minds, clearing the 10,000 things.

As Ben Merens discusses, “We are dying to be heard.” Each one of us needs an outlet to rid the burden built up for our entire lives. The difficult part, is not telling people what they should do and allowing them to figure out their own dilemma.  Using restraint, we in turn give the gift of self-reliance. Trying to force an issue or ramble on about what should be done  only creates animosity. Further, all that will be heard is, “Wah, Wah, Wah” to the voice of Charlie Brown’s Teacher.

When a person is ready for change they will approach the appropriate people. When they ask, then and only then is it acceptable to offer suggestions. Until then exercise patience, be kind and be the change you want to be…not their change. When they are ready, they will change.

This technique can also be used on the self. Two ears, one mouth…applied to the self allows the inner voice to speak. When listening to internal dialogue, we make appropriate shifts in our lives. This process brings to the surface, the 10,000 things that weight us all down. Journal our thoughts by pen to paper, our thoughts become our reality. Keeping the thoughts hidden within our conscious, they remain lost in the 10,000 things stored in our subconscious. Applying pen to paper, we unleash the 10,000 things. Unleashing the 10,000 things, we clear our minds of clutter and allow our imagination to become reality.

Stepping into the Canvas with two ears, one mouth…listening not only to those around us, but the internal voice. Listening to oneself, dissolving the 10,000 things, allows the monkey mind to dissipate.  While the monkey is cute, he can be a bit annoying.