Pret a Monk
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Two monks were arguing about a flag flapping in the wind. "It's the wind that’s really moving,” one argued. "No, it is the flag that is moving," said the second. A Zen master overheard them and interrupted. "Neither the flag nor the wind is moving. Mind moves!"
Don't worry thinking about the story too much, unless you want to of course.
My point is, how's your mind moving today? Have a quick look. What is rising? What is coming up for you?
It's something most of us don't even think about. It's constantly bubbling. Ideas and thoughts, loves and hates, fantasies and taboos and things to do, coming and going.
When we meditate, we finally allow ourselves a look at what's arising, cross legged (facing the wall maybe), eyes half closed. Easy as that sounds, what you'll find is your mind fights like a demon to stop you from looking. Because that's what its job is!
There's another part of your mind, though, that's resting. Doing nothing and at peace. Try sitting, at your computer, on the bus, in the canteen, wherever (and keep you eyes open if the place you are trying this may give the impression you shouldn't really be out on your own), and take deep natural breaths, down to a point about two inches below your belly button, counting each out breath in your head, up to 10.
All sorts of thoughts come rushing up, what you fancy for dinner, how much your bonus might be, whether you'll be made redundant, whether your partner will still want to be with you when your homeless. That kind of thing. You'll realise you've hit 14 or 15. Smile. Go back to number one and start again.
Known as the monkey mind in Zen, you'll notice this little chap is turned on almost all the time in your life London, at home, on your commute, and at work. Not a bad thing, but if he gets too much of a hold, you might start to feel stress building up, or you'll find yourself missing the sunshine, or the smile someone gives you, or just how good that sandwich was.
And I'd never want you to miss out on a good sandwich.
My point is, how's your mind moving today? Have a quick look. What is rising? What is coming up for you?
It's something most of us don't even think about. It's constantly bubbling. Ideas and thoughts, loves and hates, fantasies and taboos and things to do, coming and going.
When we meditate, we finally allow ourselves a look at what's arising, cross legged (facing the wall maybe), eyes half closed. Easy as that sounds, what you'll find is your mind fights like a demon to stop you from looking. Because that's what its job is!
There's another part of your mind, though, that's resting. Doing nothing and at peace. Try sitting, at your computer, on the bus, in the canteen, wherever (and keep you eyes open if the place you are trying this may give the impression you shouldn't really be out on your own), and take deep natural breaths, down to a point about two inches below your belly button, counting each out breath in your head, up to 10.
All sorts of thoughts come rushing up, what you fancy for dinner, how much your bonus might be, whether you'll be made redundant, whether your partner will still want to be with you when your homeless. That kind of thing. You'll realise you've hit 14 or 15. Smile. Go back to number one and start again.
Known as the monkey mind in Zen, you'll notice this little chap is turned on almost all the time in your life London, at home, on your commute, and at work. Not a bad thing, but if he gets too much of a hold, you might start to feel stress building up, or you'll find yourself missing the sunshine, or the smile someone gives you, or just how good that sandwich was.
And I'd never want you to miss out on a good sandwich.
Here Is The Writer : MonkintheCity
Monk in the City works for a large investment bank. He went to Asia in his 20's for a bit of jaunt, realised he knew very little about anything useful, stayed a lot longer than expected, and returned with sore knees from meditation and a head full of quirky ideas. He has a soft spot for dance music and a pint, and suffers from karaoke flashbacks. You can read more from him here.
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