Don’t mind the monkey

I’m pretty familiar with the – my – monkey mind, when I’m specifically trying to meditate. But recently I’ve noticed my monkey mind is actually at play, well, ALL. The. Time.

Look (she said to herself, she said), and notice how often I am working on something and an interrupting thought crosses my mind. That I then act on in that moment.

• Making supper, and I have a question about an upcoming conference. I go check my shared doc of our planning team’s notes. Right now.
• Reading my daily morning inspiration, and I wonder about today’s weather. I pull up the weather app to check. In this very moment.
• Creating a piece of writing, presentation, or course, and I see my tea is empty. I go get a refill. Immediately.

In each case, I pause what it is that I am currently doing and attend to something other that that. Wihtout thinking about it.

I had no idea my monkey mind existed not just in mediation, but EVERYWHERE. And that I’ve been mindlessly letting it lead.

In meditation, we learn to notice and gently bring ourselves back to the present. Say, by focusing on the breath. What if I did the same for myself in regular life? What if I noticed that this distraction is what I am taking, choosing, and instead gently brought myself back to the present occupation? What if I stopped and took a breath, then made a decision to act now or not?

Is it flow, or is it avoidance?

I will know within the breath.