This all started with a 28 day meditation challenge. It has actually been 32 days since I began; I added a few days to make up for the two that I missed during my camping trip.
So, I guess the first question should be if I consider my monkey mind trained after a month of formal education? I’m not sure if I can claim a fully tamed monkey, but it certainly more well-behaved. During meditation, my mind still tries to escape to planning mode every few breaths, but I find that I am able to bring it back much easier and almost without thought. It no longer protests being brought back to breath. In daily life, my mind is much calmer, less prone to anxiety, and much more aware and present in the moment. That’s not to say that there aren’t moments where my monkey mind is running about its cage, shrieking and throwing things at the passers by, but luckily for all us, those moments have reduced in frequency.
Just because my monkey-mind has graduated from this program, he is not done with his education. In fact, this was simply a starting point. I am going to continue on this journey, me and my monkey mind, with a zen mind, a beginner’s mind. I have found that I have more curiosity towards the practice of meditation than before. It draws me now. I have gone from letting it slip away from me to making it a part of me. I plan (uh oh, there’s that word) to continue daily practice and to experiment with different techniques. I want to read more on the subject to gain new perspectives and to help put words to what I have already found. Shhh…please don’t tell my monkey mind that he doesn’t get a summer break; he might get a bit upset.
It’s time to enroll in continuing education. And the best part? No student loans required for this course!
Related articles
- Taming the Monkey Mind: a 28 Day Meditation Challenge (lessonsfromtheendofamarriage.com)
- Taming the Monkey Mind: Halfway Point (lessonsfromtheendofamarriage.com)
- Taming the Monkey Mind: Natural Habitat (lessonsfromtheendofamarriage.com)
- Taming the Monkey Mind: Shaving the Monkey (lessonsfromtheendofamarriage.com)
- Taming the Monkey Mind: Total Immersion (lessonsfromtheendofamarriage.com)
- Taming the Monkey Mind: Accepting the Way of the Monkey (lessonsfromtheendofamarriage.com)
- Taming the Monkey Mind: Days 1 & 2 (lessonsfromtheendofamarriage.com)
SL2B, I was overcome with joy reading your entry today. It gives me a renewed faith that light will shine through the darkness if it is sought. Be as you are.