Taming the Monkey Mind: Days 6 & 7

It is easier for me to meditate after I’ve exercised.  Shocking, I know.  Exhaust the body and the mind calms too.  I have always done better with more active forms of meditation: yoga, walking meditations, etc., but a) they’re not always practical and b) I want to learn to be still, body and mind.

I am enjoying trying different guided meditations and getting a feeling for what works well for me.  I am mainly downloading free podcasts (gotta love those podcasts!).

I tried a different guided mediation that allowed my mind to journey while the body remained still.  The meditation consisted of imagery that guided the listener through a meadow, down some steps, through a woodland, and to a pool.  Just this suggestion of movement made me more comfortable, more relaxed.  I think I might use this mediation and others like it when I am antsy and feeling the need for movement.

I was only able to do a short meditation this morning before work.  I found myself scatterbrained and irritated with the kids today.  I wonder if there is a connection?  I fully intended to take a few moments at work to breath and relax, but it never happened.  I’m not sure why I seem to separate that part of myself from my job, but I do.  I would like to make meditation a part of me, a part that doesn’t disappear when I put on high heels.

This evening, I did a meditation that used a special breathing technique: short, somewhat sharp inhale followed by a quick, thorough exhale.  I really liked this method for quickly removing tension and stress from the body after work (again, tough day today).

This is about the point where I have started to slack off in the past.  Hold me to my promise, guys.  If I haven’t posted about the meditation challenge in a few days, it means the monkeys are running the asylum:)

I love how wise and calm this guy looked hangi...
I love how wise and calm this guy looked hanging out on the Lakshman Jhula in Rishikesh. I wonder if he teaches yoga and meditation too? Probably really flexible! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Thank you for sharing!

8 thoughts on “Taming the Monkey Mind: Days 6 & 7

  1. keep pushing forward. meditation is definately best after exercise for sure. controlling the monkey mind is something we need to do everyday, all the time. meditation strengthens our focus. stay focused. think about controlling yourself wherever you are and focus. in this way you are focusing your meditaion always. it helps to transmute your sexual energy too with microcosmic orbit or chi gung or something along those lines. tai chi and yoga help a lot. i wish you well 🙂

  2. When monkeys run the asylum you will know and return but first watch the monkeys play, sit with them no harm will come from it.
    I am confident of your resolute mind to see the way then in a charismatic manner share what you have learned.

  3. Taming the Monkey Mind: Days 6 & 7 lessonsfromtheendofamarriage Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I’ve truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!

Leave a ReplyCancel reply