Soothe the Monkey Mind and Follow the Elephant

2021-05-25

Have you ever felt like your mind has two modes? On the surface, there’s a tendency for a lot of us to be neurotic and impulsive and a little erratic. But if we dig deep down, it’s possible to find stability, contentment, and gratitude. If this all sounds familiar, then congratulations-- you’ve already met your monkey and your elephant. The bad news? You’re giving your monkey way too much attention. Of course, in the Western world, it’s the way many of us have been conditioned to think: bigger, prettier, richer, more. The good news? The elephant is patiently,...

The bad news? You’re giving your monkey way too much attention. Of course, in the Western world, it’s the way many of us have been conditioned to think: bigger, prettier, richer, more. The good news? The elephant is patiently, gently, compassionately waiting for you to discover it, even if you don’t realize it's already there.

Today, I talk about the grief, pain, and rage the monkey feels when things don't go our way - whether that is heartbreak or a nasty work client. I explain how the monkey feeds us big dramatic stories...and how, if we don't pay attention, those horror stories become our version of reality. We’ll take a look at how the elephant handles everything from the pain of a breakup to an inconvenience with grace, confidence, and kindness.

In this episode, I use some ancient—and not so ancient—teachings to explain the monkey/elephant mind duality and explore how to maintain placidity in the face of turmoil. Learn why giving in to anxious, doubting questions is the perfect spark to put your monkey into hyperdrive, and how the elephant forces you to hit the brakes and rest easily, right where you are.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Don’t let your monkey run your life (02:22)
The slow, gentle elephant’s path to contentment (05:48)
How the monkey chooses the clouds and forgets the sun (09:05)
Liberate yourself from the crazy stories - consider the worst-case scenario (15:33)
The difference between actual reality and the story you’ve written (19:14)
The elephant has all the answers - be still and listen (28:04)
Your weekly LoveByte (30:20)

Q&A:

How can I deal with heartbreak and loss? The decision is totally up to you - you cannot change reality but you can choose how to deal with reality
What is monkey mind and what is the elephant? The monkey is your anxious, egotistical mind. The elephant is your innate wisdom and compassion.
How do I quiet my mind? Slow down, show up, give your monkey mind love and grace, and don’t listen to its nonsense. X

Resources Mentioned in this Episode: