Monkey Business
By: Stacy Kamala Waltman
A reoccurring question this past month has been about the benefits of meditation.
When we hear spiritual people referring to the “Monkey Mind” and attempting to control its turbulent thrashing, what do they mean?
Unlike other wild animals, monkeys are easily caught.
Captors place a bright shiny object like a rhinestone, penny or bead into a clear container with a small enough opening for a monkey’s hand to fit through and then the captor leaves – appearing to abandon the container with it’s artifact.
The monkey, attracted by the object, runs to the container, thrusts in his hand and with utter satisfaction, grabs the shiny object and attempts to run back and add it to his hoard.
However, as he is clutching his treasure, his once small hand is now a large fist and the monkey cannot remove his fist from the opening - he is caught.
All the monkey has to do to regain his freedom is let go of the object and his hand will once again slip easily out of the container’s opening, but the monkey’s nature does not allow him to let go.
According to Rev. W. Jones May 9, 1846 article on the Moral Character of the Monkey,
“They are saucy and insolent; always making an attempt to bully and terrify people, and biting those first who are most afraid of them.
Monkey’s never let things alone, but must know what is going forward.
If a pot or a kettle is set on the fire, and the cook turns her back, the monkey whips off the cover to see what she has put into it; even though he cannot get at it without scalding his feet upon the hot bars of the grate.
No monkey has any sense of gratitude, but takes his victuals with a snatch, and then grins in the face of the person that gives it to him, lest he should take it away again; for he supposes that all men will snatch away what they can lay hold of, as all monkeys do.”
Through an invincible selfishness, no monkey considers any individual but himself.
If anything he takes hold of can be broken or spoiled, he is sure to find the way of doing it; and he chatters with pleasure when he hears the noise of a china vessel smashed to pieces upon the pavement.”
Monkey’s know-it-all and can not sit still. Calmness and quietness are foreign to the monkey. They thrive on frenetic activity.
Quieting the “monkey mind” through meditation is referring to developing the capacity to be calm AND alert.
True freedom is obtained once the mind is free from addictive and unconscious thought patterns. We become more aware of our tendencies, biases and stero-types. The compulsion to judge ourselves and others diminishes as our intelligence expands through developing our meditation practice.
The quality of our life improves as we allow shallow and limited mind sets to expand into greater connection and understanding.
Meditating allows us to have access to more information, knowledge, wisdom and understanding which lies beyond the intellect.
We become fuller and freer as a result of expanding our capacity to live. A wonderful resource is a book from Eckhart Tolle called, The Power of Now.
May you give yourself permission and allow yourself to expand ~
Nancy said,
February 10, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Dear Stacy Kamala,
I read your enlightening article about the Monkey Mind.
Wow! It is really very good and interesting to read about Rev. Jones observations too.
I am reminded about what Swami Satchidananda told us about the monkey mind.
The chattering monkey swings from branch to branch in frantic freeway flight and rarely stays still.
This is the image that comes up for me, when I become aware of the need to tame my monkey mind.
I have read The Power of Now, it is a wonderful inspiration. Many things I have personally experienced or have read about are totally cleared up for me in this book.
There are ways to center ourselves and not listen to the ‘ego monkey-business voice’ that would love to control us. Also, and very important for us to acknowledge is that the ego can sabotage us and rule our being, so that we cannot truly be our highest Self.
Meditation is the antidote for monkey mind.
Namaste, Nancy
Tony said,
February 19, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Hi Ms. Kamala,
Have you tried using the Holosync CDs from Centerpointe in your meditation? I’ve been using it every day for about a year and a half and it seems to have positive effects. Thoughts?
integrationcoach said,
February 22, 2008 at 2:56 am
Hi Tony,
Not having heard of this style of meditation before, I Googled it and briefly read a little about this particular meditation tool.
Since you have direct experience with its style and form, I am interested in your experiences with this technique as well as the positive effects you have noticed.
What other forms of meditation have you tried?
I have a bias. I am marinated in the belief that we can be independent of sources outside of ourselves to achieve elevated states so I’m a little skeptical of a product we would appear to be dependant on to take us into our natural meditative vibration.
Too, I’m keen on low cost and/or free ways to develop our inherent capacities - like meditation. Expensive tools seem odd to me when we can learn to enter these vibratory states with practice and perhaps the cost of a training CD or book.
However, if this is the only way for some people to begin a meditation practice, then it appears to be good.
In the western Indian tradition, an Indian elder (a wise one) is curious and open to influence.
I look forward to your reply.
With love,
Kamala
Tony said,
February 24, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Hi Ms. Kamala,
Other than some self-hypnosis and what Ed Foreman calls “Mind Controlled Relaxation”, I have very little experience with meditation other than Holosync. It is a bit over-hyped on their website, but it is *very* good for getting relaxed and getting rid of a lot of the chatter that goes on in my thoughts.
I asked you the question because you seem very knowlegeable about traditional meditation and I would like to learn that, too.
I would probably use traditional meditation along with Holosync, but your point is well taken that what I am trying to achieve is a natural process which should not depend on anything outside of myself. While Holosync may help me to learn (feel) the process, ultimately I hope to go beyond it.
I ordered the book you suggested “The Power of Now”. Are there any other books or resources that you would recommend?
Thank you for your response.
btw, I love to read your posts. You write so beautifully.
Onward Thru The Fog,
Tony
Barbara said,
February 25, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Hi Stacy,
I thought I’d chime in. I have tried all sorts of meditation techniques and try to meditate as often as possible (which sometimes isn’t that often). I also purchased the Holosync program. While I love what holosync does to my mind - total relaxation and calm, the thing I don’t like is the ability to obtain that state does not come from me but from an outside source. Meditation however, helps me to train my mind myself so it’s a tool I can use wherever and whenever I need it. I am not dependant on the CD’s. I will say though that many people rave about Holosync and claim it has had amazing effects on their lives, so combining it with traditional meditation might be a great way to go as you say Tony.
Blessings,
Barbara
Janis said,
February 26, 2008 at 2:19 am
Dear ones,
Simple is best - whenever I think of the wise words of the Dalai Lama they are always SO SIMPLE! so very simple, yet so very sweet.
I think it’s great to do a little at a time - not try to start out doing 1 hour or something totally ridiculous like that.
I recommend True Meditation by Adyashanti - he, like Eckart Tolle is an amazing teacher, again though, keeping it simple is the key.
Personally I do pranayama for 20 minutes followed by some spinal opening (yoga poses) and then sit for meditation for about 25 minutes.
Namaste,
Janis
integrationcoach said,
February 26, 2008 at 9:49 am
Hi Tony,
Thank you for your kind words. I am glad my writing is resonating with you.
Here are my recommendations for a traditional and yummy experience with yoga:
You may know that yoga postures were developed not for a workout but simply to allow the body to sit still for any length of time.
For a beginning yoga practice you can enjoy at home:
Integral Yoga Hatha - 1/2 Hour Class~
http://www.shakticom.org//product_info.php?products_id=106&osCsid=15e1c07a4d08a86129718e749556afca
For a wonderful book:
To Know Yourself: The Essential Teachings of Swami Satchidananda - by Sri Swami Satchidananda
http://www.shakticom.org//product_info.php?products_id=195&osCsid=15e1c07a4d08a86129718e749556afca
For a guided meditation:
Guided Meditation CD - with Sri Swami Satchidananda
http://www.shakticom.org//product_info.php?products_id=117&osCsid=15e1c07a4d08a86129718e749556afca
For Deep Relaxation:
Guided Relaxation CD for Inner Peace - with Sri Swami Satchidananda
http://www.shakticom.org//product_info.php?products_id=115&osCsid=15e1c07a4d08a86129718e749556afca
For some wonderful yoga teachings:
http://www.iyiva.org/
Thank you for asking Tony!
Blessings,
Kamala
Tony said,
February 29, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Thank you, Ms. Kamala, for the links. I will check them out.
And thanks, Ms. Barbara, I agree 100%.
Onward Thru The Fog,
Tony
integrationcoach said,
March 1, 2008 at 1:09 am
Hi Barbara!
It is so delightful to have your tonal qualities on this BLOG and I am so happy to hear your meditation pactice is progressing. You rock, Barbara!
I looked at your website too and love the beautiful tiles you’ve created. Thank you for adding beauty to our lives with your work.
Many smiles,
Kamala
integrationcoach said,
March 1, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Hi Janis,
I love what you wrote:
“Simple is best - whenever I think of the wise words of the Dalai Lama they are always SO SIMPLE! so very simple, yet so very sweet.
I think it’s great to do a little at a time - not try to start out doing 1 hour or something totally ridiculous like that.
I recommend True Meditation by Adyashanti - he, like Eckart Tolle is an amazing teacher, again though, keeping it simple is the key.
Personally I do pranayama for 20 minutes followed by some spinal opening (yoga poses) and then sit for meditation for about 25 minutes.”
Janis, I don’t yet know about Adyashanti but I will look into his work. Would you please tell our community a little more about the benefits of pranayama?
By the way, if any of you are ever in the Portland, Oregon area, check out Janis’ yoga classes. She is steeped in richness which adds a luscious layer to the experience of yoga.
Great smiles,
Kamala
integrationcoach said,
March 8, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Hi Tony,
Will you consider reporting back to us on your findings? I am curious to learn what may be revealed to you.
Blessings,
Kamala
Janis said,
March 8, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Hi All-
Prana - yama. the breathing practices of yoga are about prana.
Breathing is not the same as prana - prana moves the breath. Prana is ‘life force’ or ‘chi’ and it is what moves the breath. prana moves with the breath, through the breath and you may have had an experience of the breath becoming still, but then notice that ‘prana’ is still moving - it is more subtle than breath.
By the simple practice of noticing the breath your mind will become less ‘busy’ - you are more in the body when you bring your awareness to the breath. That alone is reason enough to be aware of the breath. So can be more in the moment, more alive.
The only breathing practice that I can talk about is Ujjayi Pranayama - which is a very simple, easy practice of exagerating the sound of the breath by narrowing the breathing passageway. The narrowing happens in the place where you clear your throat - and listen to the breath as you breath through your nose. I’ve found the best way to describe how to find the ’sound’ is to pretend you are fogging a mirror with your mouth open (of course) and then do the same thing with your mouth closed. Now you have an ’sound’ that you can follow as your breath moves in and out. The breath moves easy, effortlessly, no straining or forcing, just an easy flow of the breath with a nice quiet internal sound that you can follow. This practice is done best when lying down with the legs over a chair, or a couch or some pillows, with your eyes closed. All you do is let the breath move and listen to the quiet, gentle, easy sound of the breath. aAllow your awareness to be absorbed in the sound of the breath - allow the sound to vibrate through your entire being - on every level.
The benefits of a breathing practice, why there are so many….I guess I can name a few. But I’m sure Kamala will be able to add to the list of benefits from Pranayama, which is very long indeed..
Janis