(Madisyn Taylor)
It's been called the monkey mind – the endless chattering in your head as you jump in your mind from thought to thought while you daydream, analyze your relationships, or worry over the future. Eventually, you start to feel like your thoughts are spinning in circles and you're left totally confused.
One way to tame this wild creature in your head is through meditation – although the paradox is that when you clear your mind for meditation you actually invite the monkey in your mind to play. This is when you are given the opportunity to tame this mental beast by moving beyond thought – to become aware of a thought rather than thinking a thought. The difference is subtle, but significant. When you are aware of your thoughts, you can let your thoughts rise and float away without letting them pull you in different directions. Being able to concentrate is one of the tools that allows you to slow down your thought process and focus on observing your thoughts.
To develop your concentration, you may want to start by focusing on the breath while you meditate. Whenever your monkey mind starts acting up, observe your thoughts and then return your focus to your breath. Some breathing meditations call on you to focus on the rise and fall of the breath through the abdomen, while others have you concentrate on the sound of the breath. Fire can also be mesmerizing and focusing on a candle flame is another useful tool for harnessing the mind. Keep the gaze soft and unfocused while observing the colour, shape, and movement of the flame, and try not to blink. Close your eyes when you feel the need and continue watching the flame in your head. Chanting, devotional singing, and mantras also still the mind.
However it is that you choose to tame the monkey mind, do so with firm kindness. The next time the chattering arises, notice it and then allow it to go away. With practice, your monkey mind will become quiet and so will you.
My Thoughts:
Whenever possible I use music as a distraction. If things are getting to hectic in my life I will take time-out to listen to a favourite song, if I am feeling sad I will listen to something I know will make me cry so I can get all the emotions out of my head and naturally it is great to while away some time when feeling happy, and then I like to dance (hopefully when no one is watching).
I also meditate to music. Soft and chanting, often haunting, but always something that complements my moods. It is not always the same pieces as it depends on how I am feeling and the reasoning behind the meditation and often it is no formally structured as most people imagine meditation to be. Sitting at my desk, listen to a favourite song and gazing out of the window watching the sea, the sky, the weather as it changes does me the power of good, especially if my mind will not concentrate on what I should be writing.