28. Is it a Monkey Mind …….. Really???

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/is-it-a-monkey-mind-really-323323

For all the crazy things that put us into trouble or make us unhappiness the blame is put on the mind. Amazingly for all the reasonable things which bring peace and make us happy it is the same mind which is responsible. The mind is always jumping from one topic to another and sometimes it wanders aimlessly and for doing all this we brand it a “Monkey Mind” Well, maybe there are reasons for calling it so, since it does not listen to anyone and does all the decision making by itself.

The mind has in it the memories and feelings, consequently it has its own likes and dislikes. These likes and dislikes are deep hidden in the memory since many many births; they resurface again and again when they are refreshed. Embedded in those likes and dislikes could be the downfall or ascent of an individual. Our past karmas could be the architect for the mind to pamper the likes and rebuff the dislikes. Seriously then mind is a puppet in the hands of karma which decides if the sprouted new thought is good or bad for it. This could be the reason for some thoughts to bring smile on our face the moment it appears while some make us miserable as it may hurt our ego.  

Our five senses evoke the memories of time long past, even those buried deep in unconscious part of our mind to stir us emotionally. They invoke in us the desires, anxiety, intentions, temptations, the feelings of love and hate, the feelings of euphoria and despondency. When we stir our consciousness, the impurities otherwise settled at the bottom rise to the surface and muddle our thinking. At this time, the mind acts as monkey. To have coherent thoughts we must prevent ingress of thought through our senses. It would help us keep calm and concentrate on whatever we are doing. In all it is our strong hold on likes and dislikes which make our life miserable, in such a case why should we blame the mind? We humans are fortunate lot to have a master over the mind called Buddhi (Intellect) which is the faculty of discrimination. All we need to do is use the intellect in making friendship with mind instead of calling it a “Monkey”. 

If mind is given the status of a best friend it can help us focus transforming the work we do into an art of excellence. A work becomes an art of excellence if there are no distractions while doing it. Concentration is achieved if there is a calm mind without distractions and such a mind can easily apprise us of our goals and clarify to us the priorities. It is the calm mind which can provide a relaxed body. A friendly mind does not conspire with the ego to snub the intellect, it make way to deliver clarity in every thoughts. With a clear thought the work we do is highly appreciative. With work which is of high quality there is union with the Divinity. In other words, to ensure the union with Absolute (Yogah) the work we do has to be excellent (Karmasu Kaushalam) and for the work to be excellent our mind has to be cool and friendly. ……………Am I right?????