Monkey mind is a word I use to describe the never ending dialogue in our heads.
Our thoughts are churning and churning, creating a conversation that never ends.
Have you ever stopped to think about the conversations we repeat to ourselves on a daily basis? We literally are living in our minds!
For some this thought process dominates and controls their lives in a very negative way. It’s a program of being hard on themselves, criticizing others and always finding the negative in any situation.
For others, they live in a beautiful place where they practice self love, see the good in others and find positive ways to resolve conflict.
What we practice on a daily basis becomes who we are. It shapes our personalities and our destinies.
In the book The Untethered Soul, Michael A. Singer talks about this internal chatter and asks the question:
“If you were sitting next to yourself on a couch and listened to the dialogue going on in your head, would that be someone you’d take advice from?”
Stop for a moment and think about the conversation you have been having with yourself today. Step back and just witness it.
People can go an entire life letting their monkey mind control their feelings, emotions and life never knowing they can actually take that control back and grow new neural pathways that will radically change the reality they live in.
Through the process of meditation you can begin to be the silent witness of the conversations in your head. Just with the step of becoming consciously aware, you can begin to plug in new thoughts and affirmations that can empower you to become the best version of yourself.
It’s a very simple practice and a skill you can sharpen with consistency.
I like to begin my days with meditation. It’s the first thing I do as I awake. I may either lie still, breathe comfortably and relax my mind, or slow down my thoughts and get in touch with my inner spirit. Other times I may use an app and enjoy guided meditation.
Another positive practice for mental health is reading or listening to affirmative books. Taking time to read just ten minutes a day or listening to an audiobook can fill the mind with positive thoughts, supporting your overall well-being.
Listening to music can also have an uplifting impact on your state of mind, leaving you feeling good.
It is important to surround yourself with people who have a positive outlook on life, as their influence can support you to do the same.
So to recap: meditation, reading, music and friends, all can have an empowering effect to stop that monkey mind and instead make your mind a beautiful place to live!