Understand the Monkey Mind
(Usual mental state of regular individual)
Introduction to Meditation Methods
THINKING
Restive Mind/ thoughts have CONTINUOUS (like commentary), RANDOM (Array of thoughts) movement with NO FIXED ORDER, PURPOSE or TRACEABILITY (cannot recall previous, then previous-to-previous & so on..thoughts)
Hence Mind is akin to Monkey, continuously jumping from one branch to another.
6 Branches for Monkey to jump are:
1.Past recollection/ Memories
2.Present Calculation
3.Future Anticipation
4.Analysis/ Contemplation
5.Imagination
6.Wandering/ digression
ORDINARY OWNER has 3 Ways to deal with Monkey
1.Which Monkey?
- He is totally UNMINDFUL of his thoughts.
- This is state of PASSIVE CONCENTRATION (मूढ़) where there's only Subconscious focus on objects.
- He is actually sleeping in awake state.
2.Distract the Monkey
- He has some intermittent & unstable, called as ELEMENTARY CONCENTRATION (क्षिप्त).
- This is state of engaging of mind in random, insignificant & purposeless activities (like watching TV)
3.Tackle the Monkey
- He tries to make use of whatever control he has over Mind by CONTEMPLATION (विक्षेप).
- This is Structured & controlled thinking towards an objective (movement in one direction).
- Like a Student/ Scientist while reading/ studying.
But one can become a WISE OWNER by 6 Ways to Tame the Monkey.
These are different meditation techniques available at his disposal, if so he seeks.
1.Tire the Monkey
– ACTIVE/ SPIRITED MEDITATION (सक्रिय ध्यान)
– This technique uses what Monkey Mind is already good at.
– Walk, walk & walk (or any such engrossing activity) & when tired then put body to absolute rest on ground.
– This is it!
2.Not My Monkey
– DETACHMENT MEDITATION (साक्षी ध्यान)
– Observe own acts or Mind thoughts with detachment.
– Practice WATCH THE GRASS GROW.
– This is BARE ATTENTION.
– Slight modification is WITNESS MEDITATION (प्रेक्षा ध्यान)
– SEE THE SEER (watch urself watching the acts)
3.Lure the Monkey
– ABSORPTIVE CONCENTRATION MEDITATION (समावेशध्यान)
– Choose an object of intense affection & Merge Mind with the object.
4.There is No Monkey
– CONTEMPLATIVE CONCENTRATION MEDITATION
– Analytical/ calculating/ investigating the reality
a.Affirmative – All forest, Monkey, Trees & owner are ONE & Same & actually Godly
b.Eliminative – All forest, Monkey, Trees & owner are Illusion & Non existing
5.Task the Monkey
– MINDFULNESS MEDITATION (WITH BARE ATTENTION)
– Make it Watchdog guarding the door
– Be ALERT, Observe (be MINDFUL) of each jump every moment & calmly bring it back to Attention object and ARDENTLY keep it there (प्रत्याहार)
– 3 Key components are:
1. ALERTNESS (sampajañña) सजगता
– Readiness to actively focus attention to present moment
2. ACTIVE MINDFULNESS (sati) सतत होशपूर्ण
– Ability to remember/ Retentive power to keep object in mind, in (continuous) present moment
– Results in INSIGHT & WISDOM
– LIVE HERE & NOW!
3. ARDENCY (atappa) उत्कट
– Readiness to keep/ maintain mindfulness in present moment.
– Ability to rein in back wandered mind & to keep it sensitive & sharp in present moment
6. Tether the Monkey
– ONE-POINTED CONCENTRATION MEDITATION (एकाग्रता)
– Tether it Firmly (Focus) at ONE attention object to make it calm/ stable
– (निरुद्ध) is culmination state of mind in dhyAn (ध्यान)
– BREAK ONE ARROW AT A TIME
It has 2 parts:
1. ATTENTION (अवधान)
– To put (applying) mind to an object
2. CONCENTRATION dhAranA (धारणा)
– Focusing of mind Controlled by will, firmly & steadily FIXED (without movement) on object of attention (non-distraction)
– Results in stillness & calm. STILL THE MIND
dhAranA (धारणा) is to be practiced on any of 4 Classes of Objects -
1. Form
2. Breath
3. Sound
4. Formless
dhAranA objects/ Practice techniques can be chosen from 112 Vijnana Bhairava Sutra
5th (Mindful/ Insight Meditation) & 6th (Concentration/ Calmness Meditation) methods are most popular techniques & often used to compliment each other.
Choose YOUR Path & Walk the Path 😀
An article by GS
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