Taming the Monkey Mind: Embracing the Monkey

Posted on by stilllearning2b

Last Saturday, we took advantage of the annual Brew at the Zoo (a kid-free zoo!) and enjoyed an outing to the local menagerie.  I found myself drawn to the gorillas, who were quietly surveying their domain as they perched atop the hillside.  They seemed unimpressed and undisturbed by the commotion around them.  Their monkey minds appeared calm and peaceful.  Gorilla Zen.

It made me wish I had a different monkey.  My mind is more like the tamarins, running and jumping around their enclosure, chattering their opinions to all who pass by.  I wanted to trade my hyperactive beast for a calmer, more regal one.

English: cropped v of File:Tamarin.monkey.500p...

Luckily, I was at the zoo, surrounded by professional monkey-wranglers.  Little did I know, there was to be a lesson in store.

We made our way to the orangutan exhibit for feeding time.  The keeper was throwing apple slices to each ape in turn.  The guy hanging out in the ditch wanted to make sure he wasn’t forgotten.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I learned that the eldest male had been raised by a researcher and had learned over 200 signs.  He kept signaling “more” to attempt to encourage additional treats to be thrown his way.  His son, a precious little 1 1/2 old, was standing nearby.  The big guy never let him directly catch an apple, but he made sure to feed him bits from his own mouth from time to time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I watched the alpha male communicate various desires with the handlers, I inquired about the relative intelligence of orangutans and gorillas.  The handler responded with a chuckle, “Oh, the gorillas are smarter, but they’re too lazy to want to learn much.”

Lightbulb moment.

Those placid monkey minds that I was ready to exchange mine for had a downside.  They may be calm, but perhaps they are too calm.  I can call my monkey mind many things, but lazy is not one of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want to model my monkey mind after the orangutans.  They were inquisitive, yet not anxious.  They are independent, yet social.  They are intelligent, yet playful.  So, maybe they are not as Zenlike as the gorillas,  but they fully embrace their nature.

It’s time for me to embrace my monkey mind too.  Even if he won’t stand still.

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Five Reasons My Cat is Smarter Than Me

Posted on by stilllearning2b

My cat, who has been with me for the last 15 years,  has never been known for her intellectual prowess.  However, I had recently had to admit that she is, in fact, smarter than me for the reasons enumerated below:

1)  She Know How to Nap

My cat can go from full-on gecko chasing mode to comatose in no time flat.  She never has to read or go through elaborate rituals to fall asleep.  She never complains that her to-do list is too long to rest for a bit.  She doesn’t worry if the bed (or couch, or floor) isn’t “just right.”  She simply sleeps when she wants.  Maybe next time I want to nap, I’ll try chasing geckos first.

2) She Lets Her Needs be Known Clearly

Now, granted her needs are fairly simple: food, water, and a clean litter box, but, nevertheless, she always makes sure her caretakers know what she needs.  She doesn’t hint around or expect mind-reading, just vocalizes to garner attention and then leads the nearest human to the vessel that needs attention.

3) She Accepts What Is

I have to admit, I am  making some assumptions here, but I think  it is safe to conclude that Ms. Kitty is not spending time comparing her current situation to her past.  She exists completely in the “now” and doesn’t ruminate on the “then”.

4) She Has Learned Not to be Anxious

Maddy used to be an anxious feline; she even had to be sedated for a cross-country move when she was a kitten.  In fact, every move was very stressful for her.  She and I recently completed our fourth move in two-and-a-half years.  With each move, her anxiety over the situation decreased.  She seemed to understand that even though the ordeal would be stressful and that change was imminent and inevitable, she had survived this before and would again.  So, there is no need to get all “fight and flighty” about it, just go with it and enjoy the exploration of the new.

5) She Trusts Her Intuition

This is where she really has me beat.  In the last several months of my marriage, Maddy seemed stressed.  She slept more, she wasn’t as affectionate, and she even avoided the dogs which were normally her buddies.  Looking back, I was also anxious during that time, though I ignored it since I saw no rational reasons to be upset.  I had a mental image of what was, and as the human brain is so apt to do, I ignored or explained anything that caused any cognitive dissonance.  Cats don’t operate that way; they simply see what is.  In our current home, with her new daddy and doggie brother, I am happy to say that Maddy is more relaxed and more social than she has ever been.  I’m going to trust her on this one.  After all, she is smarter than me.