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Have you ever heard or read this phrase “Monkey Mind & Monk Mind”? Well, it’s a philosophy actually, it’s mentioned in Buddhism & other eastern philosophies where it is described that a man’s mind is like a monkey.
And it fits, our minds really are like a monkey. Like a monkey keeps jumping from one branch to another, our mind, throughout the day just keeps jumping from one thought to another.
One minute you are thinking about buying a bag, the other, you remember that you have a pending task at work and then you are wondering where your old laptop is.
You see, the mind, like a monkey, it just doesn’t stop jumping! At one point, you might not notice it but the head feels a bit heavier, and you start feeling confused & scattered. You can’t concentrate on things and there is a lack of clarity in making the effortless decisions about even the simplest things.
The Buddha described this restless and unsettled nature of a man’s mind as “Kapicitta,” which translates to “monkey mind” in English, hence the phrase.
We’ll come back to this but first, we really need to understand the phrase :
Monk Mind
The phrase though is itself quite self-explanatory, a mind like a monk – calm, at one place, peaceful and light. Simply speaking, the opposite of a monkey mind.
Now, we are no monks and maybe we don’t want to be monks. But hey, you don’t really have to become a monk to have a monk mind.
Obviously, as a man’s mind, you now wonder how we can transition from this monkey mind state to the monk mind state, how we can have a monk mind.
There are steps but as Oppenheimer said, “theory will only take you so far”. To feel the change, you have to bring the change.
Sorry for the pep talk, I jumped to another thought. So, here are the steps to take to have a monk mind:
Monkey Mind Meditation
Understand this:
Meditation → Mindfulness → Monk Mind
It’s about achieving mindfulness through meditation, in turn transforming your monkey mind into a monk mind.
Monkey Mind Meditation helps you to focus your attention to quiet the constant chatter of the mind. Where, you can observe thoughts without getting entangled in them, you can remain present in the moment, unaffected by distractions.
Also, you get a little more positive mindset towards things out of it.
With a calmer and more focused mind, you can approach things with more clarity. Your relationships feel less stressful and demanding. And amidst the ups and downs of life, there is a sense of inner peace and contentment.
Here’s how you can train your monkey mind:
Start with Short Meditation Sessions:
Begin with short meditation sessions of just 5-10 minutes each day. Find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed and focus on your breath Gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable with the practice.
Incorporate Mindfulness into Daily Activities:
Bring mindfulness into your daily activities such as eating, walking, or even washing dishes. Pay attention to the sensations, thoughts, and emotions that arise in each moment without judgment.
Practice Digital Detox:
Limit your exposure to digital devices and social media, especially before bedtime. Set times for social media to prevent constant distractions and promote mental clarity.
Set Boundaries and Prioritize Self-Care:
Learn to say no to activities or commitments that drain your energy and prioritize self-care practices such as exercise, adequate sleep, and spending time in nature. Setting boundaries helps protect your mental well-being and fosters a sense of balance.
Look, whether you read it here or you search through buddhist scriptures for understanding monkey mind and having a monk mind, it will lead you nowhere until you start doing something.
If you start, be easy on yourself, take it one day at a time.
5 Minute Monk Mind
If you are feeling heavy headed, it’s chaos inside and you are not able to focus, drop everything.
Come out to a place with some fresh air and grab some water along the way. Now breathe through your nose and exhale via the mouth. Focus on just this…after 1 minute, sip the cold water and then do the breathing again. Come back, wash your face, and just whisper to yourself, “It’s alright, just focus on the breathing mate, it’s alright.”
Try it, it might help calm your monkey mind and give you monk mind for a brief time.
