“Monkey Mind” is often an accurate description of what my mind feels like some days. It’s as if a horde of monkeys are bouncing around in my head, thoughts swinging from one vine to the next, never coming to rest. Thoughts race back and forth in my head, from one idea to the next, from one worry to the next, without a chance to really hold them in. It’s a regular loop of thoughts, without a break, without pausing. There is no trace of being mindful.
In the hectic moments of everyday life, when the demands of work, social obligations, and personal goals come crashing down on me, I feel especially intensely how the Monkey Mind can overwhelm me. Instead of focusing on one thing, I find myself jumping from one task to the next without really being productive. It’s like I’m caught in an endless cycle of thoughts that makes it hard to maintain focus. Being mindful is really difficult then.
In such moments, I have learned how important it is to pause, be aware. Through mindfulness exercises, dancing, and breathing techniques, I try to quiet my mind. It’s amazing how even a short pause to take a deep breath and center my mind can affect my emotional balance. The challenge is to be patient with myself. Do you know this too?
The modern world with all its distractions certainly doesn’t make it any easier. The constant availability of information and the abundance of stimuli can reinforce the Monkey Mind. That’s why it’s so important to schedule times for yourself and do whatever feels good to you: sometimes that might be a mindful walk in the woods, sometimes a round of dancing, journaling, meditating…. There are so many possibilities.
Dealing with the Monkey Mind is a journey that requires practice. It’s about being patient with yourself, being mindful, and gently but firmly learning how to direct your thoughts. Ultimately, it’s about establishing a deeper connection with your own mind and finding an inner peace that exists beyond the constant barrage of thoughts. In our training, mindfulness is a central point, because without being mindful we cannot arrive at ourselves.
