In this article, we are going to look at our monkey-mind. We are not implying that monkeys are less or more sentient than humans, even though some monkeys behave better than some of us.
It is just that monkeys tend to swing from one tree to another, one branch to another, and that is exactly how the mind behaves from time to time.
Like the monkey, the mind catapults from one thought to the next, swinging from one sensation to the next. As we know so very well through our own experience, this has the potential to lead to unhappiness.
We start off with a thought of what is for dinner, and a minute later we are thinking about the weight we gained and we feel unhappy. Or, it starts off with thinking about some invoice we need to pay, and two minutes later we are anxious, crying because we do not know if we will have enough money for the month.
Alternatively, we swing from one sensation to another. Now, an ice-cream, then a coffee, then some good music, then some Netflix. We know how it goes...
These are very simple examples, but surely we can relate in some way or another. We have our own experiences.
We steal from ourselves
How often do we bring our attention to the present moment and just rest in the here and now? It seems like we do this very seldomly, if ever. We are always thinking about the next thing, the next meal, the next action, the next location. One moment can never be perfect enough. Does this sound familiar?"Let's have a tea. Yeah, that sounds good. Oh, let's have some cake with it too! Yeah, great. Why don't we also open the window so we can see outside while eating the cake? Great idea! Shall we also turn on the radio? For sure, and also let's burn some incense while we're at it."
See? There is always more and more we want to add to the moment. Making it as full and as 'good' as possible. Yet, is this really necessary? Can we not appreciate the tea for what it is? Is the present moment not already perfect as it is?
When we bring our focus to the here and now, or rather when we relax our attention into the here and now, we realize that there is not much that we need. Relaxing into the present moment, being aware of the present moment, we hardly feel any shortage, if any. It is just when the monkey-mind gets active, that it desires this or that.
Really, this may sound funny, but we can put it to the test. It is true.
We can try this out while we are having lunch or dinner. Because we know that there is more food and the food is so nice, we are already thinking about our second portion while we are eating the first one. This happens sometimes, is this not true?
See, while doing this, we can not even enjoy our meal, because our focus is somewhere else. First of all, we are stealing from ourselves. Secondly, after eating our meal, if we check up on how we feel, we shall probably find that we are not hungry anymore. The hunger is gone, but the desire remains. The mind still wants more and more of the delicious food!
Surrender to peace
In this way, our thoughts lead us from one desire to the next, one anxiety to the next. Thought itself is not that bad, but thoughts of desire and attachment are not beneficial. As we have mentioned many times before, these are the roots of all our suffering.So, what is there to do?
It is simple. We can learn to bring our attention back to the present moment. It may be difficult to initiate because our focus tends to be all over the place. With time, we start to 'catch' our thoughts, and we bring it back to the here and now.
We can apply this wherever we are, wherever we go, even through difficult situations. When we remain present, we can see the situation for what it is, we can enjoy the experience for what it is. No need to cling, to grasp, to stress. Each moment, perfectly fulfilled.
Accordingly, as we rest more and more in the present moment, an overall feeling of peace and fulfillment comes to the surface.
This peaceful presence is nothing separate from who we are. It is always available to us, inviting us with open arms. All we have to do is surrender to it.
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| Like a monkey, the ego-mind catapults from one sensation to another. |
Related articles on this blog:
Carried away from the present moment - 28 February, 2021
Thinking, thinking, overthinking - 29 November, 2020
Conscious Consumption - 17 June, 2020
Hello Anrich, I like very much these thoughts. I trying to do activ meditation, to stay present in every activity, but my monkeys are springing from place to place. But the little moments that I stay 100%doing what I am doing with all my senses I feel so grateful, it is like a little miracle. Thank you for share these nice reflections.
ReplyDeleteHellos, dear Angelical!
DeleteThank you for reading the article and for sharing your experience. Yes, the monkey mind can be a little bit wild sometimes, but we can tame it through meditation, as you mentioned above :)
Angelical, your comment was the inspiration for a new article I just posted. Please have a look, this may be helpful to your experience. Please let me know how you find the new article.
In gratitude,