18/08/2025
Some practical advice from Barry Kerzin in regards to the taming of our "monkey mind". Wonderful!
Not only are we running fast on the outside, but we are also running fast on the inside. This inner speed is a killer. It totally kills inner peace. When we mentally sprint, we are prone to serious distraction, repeatedly. This is what we call “monkey mind,” with no disparagement to the monkey. This monkey mind drives us crazy. It is completely opposite to inner peace. Not only do we need to slow down our external behavior and speech, but we also need to slow down our monkey mind. Daily meditation focusing on the breath, even for 10 – 15 minutes, done regularly every day, will slowly reduce distraction and monkey mind. Eating less sugar and drinking less caffeinated beverages will also help. Reducing and stopping smoking ni****ne will also help. Regular exercise as well as good sleep will also help. Learning to drop into the present moment regularly, even for a few seconds, will also help. Coming out of the trees to remember the forest, the bigger picture, will also help. Practicing forgiveness will also help. Cultivating gratitude as much as possible, even for the next breath to be alive, will also help. Not taking ourselves so seriously will also help. This is the Buddhist wisdom of Śūnyatā or emptiness. Last but not least is practicing compassion. Send inner peace to all those humans and animals suffering from inner speed. Don’t forget to send some to yourself also! Emaho!