Monkey Mind

Blank Rune — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:19:03 GMT

I just posted some information on this on another thread and felt it was important enough to start a thread dedicated to the subject.
I notice many people suffer from "Monkey Mind". Even those who meditate and what not...tend to fall victim from time to time.

Here is some information off of the WEB:

http://www.managingthemonkeymind.com/Managing_The_Monkey_Mind/What_is_Monkey_Mind.html

Did you know that you have 60,000 or more thoughts per day? As we walk through this world in a typical day, we actually spend an inordinate amount of time in an imaginary world within our heads, entertaining random thoughts, ideas, and concerns -some real, mostly imagined.

Ancient eastern religions and cultures have an intriguing metaphor for the typical human mind, describing human consciousness as �monkey mind.� According to Hindi and Zen Buddhist traditions, the untrained mind is a like a cluttered room filled with wild, unruly, screaming monkeys loose in one�s head, jumping from one thought to the next.

Imagine each of these monkeys as an individual, random thought in your every day consciousness. These 60,000 or so monkeys are the chatter that you can hear in your head every second of every day as you are commuting to work, washing dishes, sitting behind a desk, or even standing in a room full of people. Many times these monkeys are joy-robbing, dream-snatching, and self-conscious in nature. These thoughts/monkeys can be annoying, upsetting, fearful, and often rob you from the potential of the present moment.

What monkeys have taken up residence in your mind lately? Do your monkeys tend to produce repetitive thoughts, concerns, worries, anxieties, and distractions? Your inner-dialogue can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Is your monkey mind your passport to personal freedom or your internal prison of self-doubt and fear?

While the essence of your True Self is defined more deeply than cognitions or thoughts, it is undeniable that your patterns of thinking are an important part of your reality. By learning to effectively managing your monkey mind, you can transform your day-to-day life into becoming more mindful and meaningful.

*******************************************************************
http://yoga.about.com/od/howtospeakyoga/g/monkeymind.htm

Definition: Describes a mind that jumps from thought to thought like a monkey jumps from tree to tree. The monkey mind is not content with exisiting in the present moment, but rather engages in the thoughts that pass through.
Examples:
Focus on your breath as a tool to remain in the present moment, rather than letting your monkey mind take over.

Selection of Chants

Haruth — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:29:46 GMT

The Heart Sutra is a universal Buddhist chant, recited among the Mahayana, Zen and Vajrayana/Tibetan Buddhists. Considered a powerful chant, especially when played/chanted around the full moon, new moon and for uplifting the heart.

Great Compassion Mantra is found in the Dharani Sutra. The mantra was spoken by Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva Who Regards the World's Sounds. Widely used for protection and purification.

The Vajra Guru Mantra is the mantra associated with Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava. Favoured and held in esteem by sadhakas, the mantra is held to be a powerful aid to communion with the 'Three Mysteries': 'body', 'speech' and 'mind'.

The great redeeming mantra, also known as five-syllable mantra is a traditional vedic prayer, and is generally regarded a powerful aid to meditative practices, particularly within the tantric tradition.

Symbolic Living Forum. Philosophy Community for Inspired, Artistic, Meaningful Lives. - Meditation, Visualization...

Monkey Mind

Selection of Chants