Steady Up There, Little Monkey By Didi Arias Illustration by author The first time I heard my wise and enlightened mentor mention the “monkey in the head” I knew exactly what she was referring to. What a perfect description for that inner “voice” that incessantly chatters on in the mind. Knowing that I had at least one monkey firmly established in my head I wanted to learn more about this monkey business, and most especially, how to rein it in. On went the kettle and we sat down for a long and informative chat. In Buddhist teaching, she explained, “monkey mind” is an expression for having unsettled, confused and/or indecisive thoughts; basically, a metaphor for a chaotic mind. That sounded so familiar and gives a simian face to one´s inner critic. The Buddha described the monkeys as being “intoxicated”, carrying on excitedly and noisily (as monkeys tend to do when they get excited). Science also recognizes the existence of this mental chatter and cites it as a normal function of the brain, which I guess is reassuring to know. So how does one know when you have an inhabitant monkey? Basically, the monkey resides there under the guise of your mind´s continuous mental “noise”, and It isn´t necessarily bad. That little monk helps keep us on top of things, gives us good hunches and instincts, so it’s a useful little guy to have around. It only becomes a problem when it takes on the role of sole DJ of your mental playlist of fears, worries and guilt, keeping
to have a moment of meditation but find
talk start up. When you are trying to fall to
that list set to “repeat”. When you do manage
your thoughts drifting to “why didn´t I buy
sleep, the monkey is either running through
to convince the monkey to play something
those breeches in khaki and I forgot to pick
tomorrow´s To-Do list or saying “Hey, are
else, it bangs out re-runs of the past, anxiety
up carrots”. Likewise, blame the monkey
you kidding? You´re relaxing when we have
about the future and self-doubting notions.
as you talk yourself out of riding today be-
a big show tomorrow?” All this mind chatter
As DJs go, when the monkey in this groove
cause the weather might get windy and the
keeps our brain cells in a state of over-activ-
it won´t win any prizes for positive uplifting
horse may spook and you may fall off, go to
ity, wearing us out physically and mentally
the spirit.
the hospital, get laid off from work and, and,
– it doesn´t seem content to just let us “be”.
and… If my coach has to remind me “not to The monkey is at work when you are trying
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Summer 2021 | Riding Instructor
over-think it”, I know that I let the doubt
I asked my friend how one could deal with
