Ask Lewis” The Zen Training of Monkey Mind

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Abstract

p id="ca33"><b><i>· Examine, explore, and understand thoughts through observing and kōans.</i></b></p><p id="7160">Each of these approaches has its weaknesses and strengths. I was drawn to the idea of investigating and exploring my mind and then slowly training it to think in new ways. The first step is the process of self-reflection, contemplation, and meditation. In time, the mind will seek to be trained as part of the natural flow of things. When it is directed effectively the mind is a fine servant, but if allowed to run free it is the worst of masters. Through an intention to become self-actualized, the environment naturally arises where the mind simply surrenders and the Monkey Mind is pacified.</p><p id="70ab"><b>Meditating Beyond Monkey Mind</b></p><p id="83f8">When you enter into B<i>eginner’s Mind</i>, you draw your attention away from intellect, the senses, and an attraction to short-term gratification. As the process unfolds, your mind knows that it can transcend the type of thinking that reflects a life driven by anger, greed, vanity, and attachments — all reflections of Monkey Mind. With the mind pacified, you return to your authentic self no longer seeking to be in control. There may have been a time, possibly in the womb or at the moment of your birth when you were pure innocence. This was a moment before your attention was pulled into the world of the senses. With Beginner’s Mind, this state returns, and once again, you are in this state, of love, freedom, and abundance.</p><p id="ae1e">In your early development, the mind explores all of the newness of the world cons

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tantly. This infant mind went in all directions in a never-ending pursuit of immediate gratification. Each unconscious act became part of a new cycle of action and reaction. This process is what is expected in a child’s development. As you matured your mind was trained to behave in certain ways at certain times so that you would grow into a healthy, functioning member of the community. As you continue your life journey, you most probably pay little attention to ideas such as Monkey Mind.</p><p id="b5ec"><b>The Takeaway</b></p><p id="e306">By applying the pillars of Essential Zen you can recognize Monkey Mind for what it is. So as you sit in meditation, continually return to the breath and the state of mindlessness without judgment of the Monkey Mind. It is there, and yet it’s only an illusion.</p><p id="6c8c">©Lewis Harrison, all rights reserved.</p><p id="0464">Other of my stories in a similar vein @LewisCoaches</p><div id="c208" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/ask-lewis-what-is-the-essence-of-my-practical-philosophy-6f1f0ebdc1a6"> <div> <div> <h2>Ask Lewis: What is the Essence of My Practical Philosophy?</h2> <div><h3>Creativity, innovation, intuition, critical thinking, and synergy</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*S8uWCGICi_jrAq8o2xfhPw.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

Is Monkey Mind a disorder?

I think not. These thought patterns can prevent you from functioning in what we might call high-functioning environments (brain surgery, computer science, etc.). However, some individuals with ADHD also can hyper-focus when necessary. These individuals have the unique ability to focus intently on something that seems important to them for unusually long periods, and yet they cannot hold their attention on anything that doesn’t seem to interest them. Would you call these individuals disabled? I wouldn’t. I believe it would be much wiser to label them as ADF — Attention Deficit Functionality.

In my mind the best approaches to Monkey Mind are of three types:

· Ignore the monkey as it jumps about.

· Transcend thought chaos by focusing on another thought or image.

· Examine, explore, and understand thoughts through observing and kōans.

Each of these approaches has its weaknesses and strengths. I was drawn to the idea of investigating and exploring my mind and then slowly training it to think in new ways. The first step is the process of self-reflection, contemplation, and meditation. In time, the mind will seek to be trained as part of the natural flow of things. When it is directed effectively the mind is a fine servant, but if allowed to run free it is the worst of masters. Through an intention to become self-actualized, the environment naturally arises where the mind simply surrenders and the Monkey Mind is pacified.

Meditating Beyond Monkey Mind

When you enter into Beginner’s Mind, you draw your attention away from intellect, the senses, and an attraction to short-term gratification. As the process unfolds, your mind knows that it can transcend the type of thinking that reflects a life driven by anger, greed, vanity, and attachments — all reflections of Monkey Mind. With the mind pacified, you return to your authentic self no longer seeking to be in control. There may have been a time, possibly in the womb or at the moment of your birth when you were pure innocence. This was a moment before your attention was pulled into the world of the senses. With Beginner’s Mind, this state returns, and once again, you are in this state, of love, freedom, and abundance.

In your early development, the mind explores all of the newness of the world constantly. This infant mind went in all directions in a never-ending pursuit of immediate gratification. Each unconscious act became part of a new cycle of action and reaction. This process is what is expected in a child’s development. As you matured your mind was trained to behave in certain ways at certain times so that you would grow into a healthy, functioning member of the community. As you continue your life journey, you most probably pay little attention to ideas such as Monkey Mind.

The Takeaway

By applying the pillars of Essential Zen you can recognize Monkey Mind for what it is. So as you sit in meditation, continually return to the breath and the state of mindlessness without judgment of the Monkey Mind. It is there, and yet it’s only an illusion.

Other of my stories in a similar vein @LewisCoaches

Ask Lewis” The Zen Training of Monkey Mind

Tips for becoming more mindful

These thoughts seem to have no end to them. Many people think they are meditating but are actually just thinking about not thinking. This is the monkey mind.

Is Monkey Mind a disorder?

Ask Lewis: What is the Essence of My Practical Philosophy?

Creativity, innovation, intuition, critical thinking, and synergy