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It’s been called the monkey mind — the
endless chattering in your head as you jump from thought to thought while
you daydream, analyze your relationships, or worry over the future.
Eventually, you start to feel like your thoughts are spinning in circles,
and you’re left totally confused.
One way to tame this wild creature in
your head is through meditation. Although the paradox is that when you
clear your mind for meditation, you actually invite the monkey in your
mind to play. This is when you are given the opportunity to tame this
mental beast by moving beyond thought — to become aware of a thought
rather than thinking a thought. The difference is subtle but significant.
When you are aware of your thoughts, you can let your thoughts rise and
float away without letting them pull you in different directions. Being
able to concentrate is one of the tools that allows you to slow down your
thought process and focus on observing your thoughts.
To develop your concentration, you may
want to start by focusing on the breath while you meditate. Whenever your
monkey mind starts acting up, observe your thoughts and then return to
your breath. Some breathing meditations call on you to center on the rise
and fall of the breath through the abdomen, while others have you
concentrate on the sound of the breath. Fire also can be mesmerizing, and
staring at a candle flame is another useful tool for harnessing the mind.
Keep the gaze soft while observing the color, shape, and movement of the
flame, and try not to blink. Close your eyes when you feel the need, and
continue watching the flame in your head. Chanting, devotional singing,
and mantras also still the mind. However you choose to tame the monkey
mind, do so with firm kindness. The next time the chattering arises,
notice it and then allow it to go away. With practice, your monkey mind
will become quiet and so will you.
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