Human
mind is very complicated- bombarded with about 100,000 thoughts per day and 7
times more stimulation than our parents/ grandparents. It is very susceptible
to influences of all sorts coming from information overload, work pressures, meetings,
deadlines, and many more. All this leaves the mind cluttered and confused. This
cluttered mind is what the Buddhist term as “Monkey mind”, a mind in chaos and commotion – hyperactive,
restless, jumping, screeching, hopping and shouting like a monkey. The cluttered mind
is full of monkeys of all kinds – worry, stress, anxiety, procrastination, phobia and any other negative thought or
feeling . The monkey mind keeps moving
from one thought to another and the outcome is a life full of distractions,
anxieties, worries, stress. The mental chatter the monkey mind engages in fills
saps us of all energy, positivity, attention and leaves us high and dry.
When
we resist or fight, we make the “monkey mind” more powerful, painful and in
control of us. The best strategy to counter the “monkey mind” is
- · To treat it just as a “state”
- · To become more aware of it
- · To withdraw from it
- · Just observe it and not judge
All
that we require to attain a balanced life is harmony between mind and body
which can be attained by effectively taming the “monkey mind”. Some of the
techniques that we could use are
·
Yoga – Practicising yoga
helps build the perfect mind-body connection through various physical movements
or postures. It helps bring in more discipline in our mind and an ability to establish
mind-body harmony.
·
Act and not React – Its
easy to get swayed by the situation and immediately react to it leading to dire
consequences. Instead, whenever faced with a tricky situation, analyze what
outcome you seek from it and then act
accordingly.
·
Meditation - Meditation of any kind if done properly is
useful as it helps the practitioner build up focus and concentration. Sitting
quietly for mediation brings peace and calmness.
·
Mindfulness – Just “being
in the moment” without any linkage to past or future would help the
practitioner detach with thoughts of what happened or what might happen and
enjoy the present.
·
Breathing – Breathing helps
shifts your focus internally and connect to your inner self. This helps build
up the necessary awareness, resilience and calmness to tame the monkey mind.
·
Affirmation – Giving oneself
doses of positive and uplifting affirmation (in direct contrast to the various
monkeys in our mind) would help build the necessary strength to keep moving
forward with confidence and strength.
·
Mantras – These act as “anchors”
of our strength and their invocation give us the desired power to cope up with
the monkey mind. The key here is to pick up the appropriate mantra, have faith
in the power of every word contained therein and recite it.
·
Praying – This is another
form of “faith” where belief in a figure (deity, god or idol) gives you the
power and strength to counter the monkey mind. Irrespective of the religion you
follow, praying gives you immense power to build inner strength and tackle the
monkey mind.
·
Hobby – Doing something
you enjoy or love helps you relax and view things differently (from new
perspectives if needed). A relaxed state of mind is always more effective in
dealing with monkey mind.
So, go
ahead with the technique of your choice to tame your “Monkey Mind” !
N.B.:
Many of the above mentioned techniques may have an overlap with each other. It’s
purely for the sake of putting them in readable nuggets that they have been
defined as separate techniques. Also, the above techniques have not been
described in too much detail for the want of brevity. The reader may do more
study and research to understand the techniques in more depth. (as I am myself currently
doing for some of them !)
