Guest guest Posted July 10, 2002 Report Share Posted July 10, 2002 Hello, I've been a r for a short time and have enjoyed reading the postings. There is, however, one term that doesn't sit well with me. I've twice read the term "monkey mind" in postings. I can understand the reference; jumping from one thought to another; unable to still the mind. Yet given some myths I've read involving Hanuman it seems out of place among KY practitioners. In his book Mantra-- The Original Power of the Spoken Word, Thomas Ashley--Farrand relates a story of Rama, Sita and Hanuman and the symbology surrounding the myth. In the myth Rama (the Divine Self) is at war with Ravana (selfish and earhtly desires). Rama meets Hanuman (prana) in the forests and sends him in search of Sita. Mr. Ashely--Farrand gives the following gloss: Selfish and egotistical desires appropriate the Divine energy for his own purposes. The kunalini shakti is prevented from joining the Diving self located at the heart center, and is detained at the second chakra (lust and magical powers) and the third chakra (dominion over the elements of earth, water and fire... temporal desires of all kinds.) But Hanuman, representing the prana, is sent to find Sita. This is the practice of rythnmic breathing the yogi employs to purify the bodies and bring the kundalini up to the heart center and beyond. Given Mr. Ashley--Farrand's gloss I can't help but see the monkey as an ally in my search for enlightnement. Rhea Sign up for SBC Dial - First Month Free http://sbc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2002 Report Share Posted July 15, 2002 Rhea, SAT NAM! My thought on your post is basically that if the idea of monkey mind doesn't work for you, that's ok, use your own terminology! It's something I personally relate to, and I love monkeys! There are many, many other analogies for the fluctuations of mind-stuff/chitta that occur in our brain when we sit down to meditate. The "monkey mind" is a very common, traditional expression actually, used in KY, Buddhism, and Hinduism as well, where it really has nothing to do with Hanuman. One of my teachers calls it "training the puppy" -- you tell the puppy (your mind) to sit still, maybe it will for awhile, but then it wanders off. Each time it wanders, you call the puppy back and try to convince it to stay -- with love and patience towards your beloved pet! hee hee! There are many paths, many techniques, towards a common goal -- YOGA! NAMASTE! elle ----Original Message Follows---- Rhea Silvani <quiksilver949 Kundaliniyoga Kundaliniyoga A Recurring Term Wed, 10 Jul 2002 20:08:41 -0700 (PDT) Hello, I've been a r for a short time and have enjoyed reading the postings. There is, however, one term that doesn't sit well with me. I've twice read the term "monkey mind" in postings. I can understand the reference; jumping from one thought to another; unable to still the mind. _______________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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