5 Tips to Bring Your Monkey Mind, Out of The Noise And Back into Peace
Zen masters call compulsive thinking: a monkey mind. One of the roots and causes of all suffering.
Strangely, we believe that this ape mind — the false identity, the ego— cannot stop thinking. It’s just how it works and we can’t control it.
With this limiting belief, it certainly seems like your mind, in fact, controls you?
How much of our suffering comes from the inability of keeping our thoughts to the minimum, to the necessary? I wish… that we all could use thinking and thoughts for what they are: a tool.
I want to give back your power, your focus, and your peace. And for that, we’ll need actionable steps. Something we can practice right away.
But first; the important correlation between emotions and thoughts.
A good thought is a good emotion
Have you ever heard of the power of thought before? I mean really, understand it? So many of us don’t realize the huge impact positive thinking has on our life. Simply put: thoughts control how we feel. And the good news is; you control your thoughts.
So there are two ways emotions can get triggered:
By thought alone— neural, motivational, and cognitive stimulation (ANT’s: automatic negative thoughts, are the #1 cause of compulsive thinking)
By the stimulation of our five senses (sensorimotor) — don’t need any active thinking.
There are ways we can work through our emotions by using our active thinking though.
Journaling, positive affirmations, future self visualizations, meditations, a good conversation with someone you trust, or with yourself (learn about positive self-talk in this article).
But for now my sweet stevias, I want us to explore 5 ways you can bring calmness back to your mind, using your sensorial gifts.
1. Contemplate something
Hey don’t just watch it. Enjoy yourself by contemplating all small, beautiful details. Please don’t use any screen format for this.
Perhaps you enjoy art and history? Go to a museum. How about a sunset view? Big, green trees in nature? A lake? You’ll feel such deep connection to yourself. To your presence. You are calm. You are peace.
2. Wine & Cheese Night
How about a Tasty Gathering with your friends?
Tonight's Tasty Gathering welcomes you with a fine selection of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay; directly from the scorching hot climate from the world’s best wine producer Chile (I’m Chilean, but not biased) served with nothing less than seven types of swiss cheese prepared in ten different formats.
Wow. I seriously cannot think of anything more mindful than spending my night savoring these delicatessens.
3. Sound therapy
Reduce your stress, clear your energetic blockages, lower blood pressure, improve your sleep (amongst other benefits).
Allow your ears to be aroused by alchemy sound sweetness. Chanting, mantras, crystal bowls, have all been used for thousands of years to heal our mind, body, and spirit.
I also like to put on a good playlist. Perhaps with a lower sound frequency to get my brain into an Alpha or Theta brainwave state; associated with focus, creativity and accelerated learning. Give Jim Kwik 10 min to persuade you on this.
4. Touch yourself. Or be touched.
Oh I love me some dirt thinking.
Be sassy. Be sexy. Cause baby you are. Because I know your mind has already taken that course: I’ll leave this one for open interpretation.
Here are some tips — whatever feels good to you. Light some candles, incense, take a hot shower and when you’re in the mood: use feathers, your hands, crystals, different textures. All is welcome.
5. Breathdance
For our last sense, we’ll use our breathing. Get in flow with every inhale and exhale. Deep through your nose. Deep out your mouth. Same rhythm. Dance with it.
Your mind will start quieting. Your body will start to relax.
Now if you prefer guided breathwork, there is a beautiful variety out there to explore. Check-in with your mood. If you’re feeling tired try this five-minute breathing to boost your energy.
There you have it my tribe of wonderful, intellectual, generous, brave beings. Use any of these examples of mindful (or shall we say mind-less?) activities to calm your monkey mind.
Wait no more. You only have -now- so think about a sense you’d like to explore and go get mindless.
Con amor,
Nina
