The mind is the most valuable gem that we as the human kind have. Without it we couldn't survive, interact and function properly in the world. That's what its purpose is.

But when it starts acting like a monkey jumping from a branch to another it really becomes a burden, that is called compulsive thinking . Such flooding thinking is self perpetuated and very often continues until the very last second of our life.

It might seem normal to live like this because such use of mind and compulsive thinking has become a habit or an addiction. One that is as natural as breathing polluted air. Even if we know it is polluted we continue breathing it and polluting it further. The same happens with compulsive thinking. It's a continuous adding of desires and fears rumbling them on and on without no end.

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Even when we try to tame the monkey from our heads we do that with the wrong tools. We give it video games, social media networks, movies and drugs. We almost never let it rest by itself. Taking a step back and allow ourselves to be alone with ourselves, the way zen masters and Buddhist monks do for ages is far from embracing.

Being alone with yourself and embracing desires, worries and fears is of an immense power because it takes the monkey down from the tree. Something that she doesn't like doing as it is accustomed by generations and generations of examples of such living. Thus it will take time to change such an old addiction, but using proper tools that are not just other distractions will make a huge difference about our millennial way of life.

One of the peaceful and non-intrusive tools that is "advertised" by generations and many spiritual traditions is meditation. A practice that very often is associated in our minds with staying on our butts with the eyes closed while thinking nothing and breeding profoundly. In most of the cases that's what is all about. A quiet process of embracing ourselves while taking a time off from all the continuous rumble in our heads.

This type of meditation can be ruined unfortunately by a notification tone that simply is more important than what we were doing, "forcing" us to unlock our phones and return to our "normal" lives. It's to quiet to just miss a bell.

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Meditation though is more about observing thoughts as they come and go while being fully present of ourselves rather than sitting on our butt with your eyes closed and wear an orange robe to show the world that we are spiritual. It can be practiced anywhere, anytime and by anyone.

It doesn't require a certain posture, but it requires attention and a non aggressive attitude towards the desires, fears, worries or whatever thoughts are consuming our energy. Biking or walking can be a meditation, changing a tire or chopping the lawn can be that too. It's more about the peace of mind and the calmness of the monkey rather than postures, mandalas and robes.

Stepping out of the compulsive thinking that is a normal way of living in today's society is embracing ourselves and being comfortable with being lonely with ourselves. Work and social activities require thinking and mind processes, but the free time that we have doesn't have to be filled with more thinking and frustrations.

Some quiet time away from video games, social media, manipulated news and threatens that constantly bombard our well being never hurt nobody. It's just that we are afraid of ourselves and too often prefer spending time with artificial friends that keep the monkey busy rather than embracing calmness, silence and mindfulness.

Thanks for reading and have a great day