My Monkey Mind

My Monkey Mind.

What is it?

Why should I care and if I do how do I calm those critter down!!??

Okay, let’s do this!

In Buddhist thought a monkey mind is one that is in a state of restlessness, where it is hard to control thoughts in a linear manner, or just to focus and stay on one thought or subject without the mind wandering to a new one.

Visualize a monkey swinging from neuron to neuron like branches in a tree.  Each time that monkey of yours grabs a different one your mind engages in a new thought!  Not cool when you are trying to focus, eh!

And, yes there is science that backs up all of this.

The region of the brain is called the default mode network (DMN).  The DMN is a group of brain regions that show lower levels of activity when we are engaged in tasks such as paying attention, but higher levels of activity when we are not involved in any specific mental focuses.

So, let’s talk about these ‘Monkeys!’ 

First up, we have “Chatty Monkey,” swinging from branch to branch, relentlessly gossiping about your neighbor’s new haircut or the latest celebrity scandal.  No matter how hard you try to shush it, this primate just won’t zip it.  Oh, the trials of inner silence!

Next up, we have the “Worrying Monkey,” furiously scribbling away on its mental clipboard, jotting down all the things that could possibly go wrong in your life.  From that upcoming presentation at work to the mysterious creak in your floorboards, this Monkey has got you covered in a thick layer of anxiety!

But wait, there’s more!  Here comes the “Daydreaming Monkey,” lost in a whimsical fantasy where you’re the star of your own blockbuster film.  Cue the slow-motion action sequences and dramatic soundtrack.  Who needs reality when you’ve got Hollywood playing in your head?

And let’s not forget about the “Procrastinating Monkey,” lounging lazily in the shade, sipping on a coconut cocktail while you desperately try to focus on that pile of unfinished tasks.  Oh, the sweet allure of distraction!

Okay, so which monkey or monkeys above are swinging though your head right now?  Take your time, and think about it because if you take time to think about it you are starting to tame those monkeys!  You can ask if it’s possible to tame them all at once or one at a time.  Great question.  This is all going to depend on you.  Some people can just drop into a meditative state and spank those monkeys into behaving.  Others will need to learn to calm their minds slowly, focusing on just one at a time.

Ah Grasshopper, here’s where just sitting and focusing on your breath can reap great rewards!   Start with just 5-minutes.  Sit, be comfortable, breath.   Feel your chest expand and contract.  Hear your breath enter and exit your mouth/nose.  And then a Monkey will start swinging through your neurons!  Gotta do this, gotta do that, go here, go there, text that person, call that person, make a list of thins to buy for dinner, wash the car, plan that date, shower, binge watch a series ……. OMG!!!   Then go back to focusing on your breath.  Visualize feeding the monkey something, anything and see it sitting calmly eating.  For a long time.  You just calmed your Monkey mind!

Yes, this takes practice, duh.  But if you don’t start, you won’t finish.  There are times when I too feel overwhelmed with projects large and small, and convince myself that there’s not enough time in the day/week/month to finish them all.  Worry, doubt, guilt, anxiety, less sleep.  Yup, those darn Monkeys are laughing it up and swinging away!   So, I force myself to sit, break out my guitar and play.  The harmonics and energy of the notes and my singing (bad as it is) soothes my being, allowing me to focus on just one task, and re-centers me.  And it lulls most of those Monkeys to sleep.  After a while when I feel Zen, I put the guitar away, sit, feel my breath and decide what really needs to be addressed immediately and then do it.  Does the occasional Monkey start swinging during this?  Of course!  So I refocus on my playing.

I am positive that you have something that calms you down, because of the focus on whatever it is.  Do it!  Yes, just sitting is the goal, but the idea is to calm the Monkey mind.  When I am playing I am sitting.  When I am singing I am controlling my breath.  Sometimes YOU are the Monkey mind in total!  So you need to do what ever it is to totally calm yourself down, and that could be swimming, tennis, skiing, running, the gym.  The endorphins that are released through exercise are natural pain killers and the corresponding dopamine release chills you out.  This allows you to refocus.  It’s another road to the same goal.  Spank those Monkeys!

And, an occasional drink or some 420 can also calm the Monkeys.  I’m a bad Buddhist lol.  But the end result is what you are after and the saying ‘different strokes for different folks’ is completely applicable. 

I hope this has helped you to discover what it is that you can do to find mental calmness and more clarity.  Yes, the ideal situation is to sit and breath.  Or not.  Make it work for you!