The monkey mind problem

Puneet Srivastava
Nov 1 · 3 min read
Jamie Haughton, Unsplash

Monkey Mind is a practical problem faced by countless people across the world.

If you suffer from it, then you already know the deep sense of helplessness that it can bring with itself.

Interestingly, in most people it is a non-clinical condition. Meaning, it may not require a formal medical treatment under a psychiatrist or a physician. There may be little need for therapy either. Yet this problem can be disturbing enough to disrupt the quality of life.

It can make the person feel defocused. It can destroy professional growth. It can put strain on relationships. Plus if allowed to persist, it starts creating other social, medical or lifestyle ailments.

Monkey mind is the root cause of every nervous and anxious behavior that people tend to display in their habits. For some, this habit may cause irritability and anger as well. Basically, wherever confusion shows up in life, know that, the monkey mind has played its mischief.

Sometimes in some people monkey mind may be a surprise situation. It may have come up due to certain unexpected personal, social or emotional reasons. So, initially, while these people may not have this problem however, after a few experiences in life, their mind may have become unsettled.

Creative people often face this unique challenge. They tend to slip into phases of dullness where no new ideas come to them. Similarly, enterprising people may start having self-doubts after facing a few rejections or failures.

Of course, there are people who may be having this tendency by birth itself. It would be part of their nature. Hence the monkey mind behavior may show up in different ways in different people or under different conditions.

The question is: Can this problem be corrected? Can monkey mind be changed? Can it be kept in check?

The answer to all such questions is both — ‘Yes’ and ‘NO’.

‘Yes’, because it requires practice.

‘NO’, because the same monkey mind will keep putting doubts in your head, repeatedly, and prevent you from committing yourself to regular practice.

Nevertheless, anyone can transform their situation for good and forever, provided they can gather some courage and put themselves to regular practice.

And if this practice is performed under guidance of an experienced teacher, then the results are likely to be more fruitful.

A teacher is needed for 3 basic purposes:

1. For selecting a suitable method, which has to be based on your existing capabilities or situation.

2. For constant inspiration, since the monkey mind won’t stop putting in doubts and delusions.

3. For dissolving the various obstacles and confusions that pop-up in the course of this mission.

Ah… yes… we are talking here…: Meditation.

Meditation is the science of mind control. It can be learned by anyone and has to be performed through self-effort. There are several methods in meditation. Every teacher selects one which is likely to be most suitable for the student. The only requirement for success in this discipline is — regular practice.

If you can practice regularly, then gradually, you will outgrow the monkey mind situation even if it was hereditary or synonymous as your second nature. People trapped unknowingly in this situation can easily start freeing themselves within a few weeks with the help of guided support and regular practice of meditation.

This is all what I can write here because beyond this one will have to take a leap and try firsthand.


About the author:

Hi, I am Puneet Srivastava. I am a meditation teacher. I live in Thane (Mumbai). I teach using easy meditation methods. Anyone interested to learn can contact me directly.

Google — 30M Meditation Classes

Puneet Srivastava

Written by

Mediation Teacher & Founder, 30M Meditation Classes, Thane, Mumbai, INDIA. https://goo.gl/maps/FvzMQGsKYvAE2T1k7

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