The Battle Between the Monkey Mind and the Monk Mind

According to the great mystics and spiritual teachers, there are two approaches to living. 

One approach is to continue to look outward and focus our attention on things beyond our control. Often we are seeking outside validation for acceptance and meaning. Seeking wealth, fame, or acquisition of “things” to buy us happiness. This can result in feelings of anxiety, loneliness, or helplessness. Since we are lacking a true understanding of our knowledge and power. Seeking things outside of ourselves instead of looking inward to find what we seek. 

This is what the spiritual masters call the Monkey Mind; darting from here to there. Seeking – always seeking. Focusing on everything outside of ourselves instead of the things we can control. 

The alternative is to go inward and concentrate on the things we have control over; our thoughts, the way we perceive the world, and the stories we tell ourselves. We can begin to cultivate a sense of happiness, fulfillment, and joy simply by being. By turning our attention to the present moment as often as we can, expressing gratitude for the things that we already possess, and allowing that to be enough. Setting goals and looking forward to the future is a wonderful endeavor. However, are you able to find happiness within yourself along that journey? Or are you forever seeking that fulfillment from outside of you? 

When we make this small shift to understanding that everything we need to be content is already currently within us. This is often referred to as the Monk Mind. When we begin to focus on the only things that we can control. Our own thoughts, emotions, and responses as well as learning to cultivate happiness and acceptance from within ourselves instead of seeking it outside of ourselves.