It was rampant yesterday. I’m not sure why. My monkey mind was clamoring to rule my mood and my day – or rather, to ruin my mood and my day.
Monkey mind – it’s a Buddhist term meaning “unsettled, restless, inconstant, confused, indecisive, and uncontrollable.” I use it to describe my thoughts as they race, question, doubt, and worry. My monkey mind is the part of me that rushes ahead to figure out the conclusion, dashing about here and there, unable to calm down and let go and let be.
I sat on the couch, trying to relax. As soon as I’m trying to relax, rather than relaxing, I know something is off. I couldn’t focus my attention, and my brain filled with a jumble of ideas, opinions, and evaluations, mostly critical. I heard myself condemning myself and others, finding fault with what I was feeling, and doing, and even thinking. My monkey mind was rampant. What could be glorious in that?
There’s an old adage that “it’s always darkest before the dawn.” I don’t think this is actually true. Nonetheless, it applies to my monkey mind because it is usually my darkest, most challenging moments that propel me towards a personal dawn. It’s when I’ve suffered, and gotten tired of suffering, that I am fueled to have a different experience or approach something a different way.
My monkey mind – my jumping about, unable to settle down, full of worry mind – forces me to be aware of my need for peace, calm, and quiet. Even as I struggle against peace, calm, and quiet. The part of my brain (and being ) that is racing, chastising, and relentlessly moving strengthens my desire to find a way to ease and soothe. To take a deep breath. To sip a cup of tea. To look for what’s working, beautiful, and comforting.
To feed my monkey a banana in the hopes of assuaging it, to allow it to play in the hopes of engaging it, and to simply find a way to let it, and everything, be.
This desire is the glory of my monkey mind.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, and please share this post with others if it resonates with you!
Feed the good wolf. Focus on the good, not getting rid of the bad. If the mind is working, give it positive thoughts. Much love.
Much, much love.
Thanks Lisa for another important message. I found this to be helpful in relating to my 14 year old son. Recently, he was a bit out of control.
He can’t place the driver of his actions when the monkey mind is in charge. Great that I can share your blog with him and he can find meaning and explaination in the passage as it relates to his behavior.
This easy to follow and very relatable passage was helpful
Thanks, happy holidays, and my wish for you is 30 seconds of blissful happiness without any guilt or monkey-business.
Colleen
Thank you Colleen! I’m glad this was helpful for you and your son. When we can stop, pause, and understand what’s taking control of us, we have a chance of easing out of it. Happy Holidays!
Oh yes, the monkey mind. Just when I thought I have tamed her, she smiles and starts swinging again.
And don’t you love when she smiles. And that you can notice and appreciate her smile. And maybe tame her again…