Love This! Taming the Monkey Mind

Have you seen the image above yet? I love it.  I'm not sure where it's from, but I know it's been circulating on social media for a while, and it definitely caught my eye. I think it perfectly captures my mind when practicing--and probably the mind of many of my fellow yogis + students (although one cannot make assumptions!)... 

This image speaks to me on an even deeper level this week in particular, as I've started to feel my "monkey mind" (jumping from one thing to the next, from tree to tree, never stopping to pause and take a look around...) come into full force over the past few days. Why? Because it's that time of year--spring--when everything gets kicked up a notch and life starts to tumble quickly forward, and I watch my calendar fill up well into fall. If this image was one of me next to Swami Balendu, it would say the following:

"Wedding planning..."
"DIY decorations"
"Address list for invites"
"Finalize groomsmen outfits"
"Order wedding rings?"
"Register"
"Supplies for Artomatic"
"Order frames for paintings"
"Order more prints and biz cards"
"Finish sketchbook for The Sketchbook Project"
"ATT Thesis paper"
"Change blog sidebar"
"Buy wedding/shower presents for friends"
"Pick up Ben's dry cleaning"
"Ben's birthday Thursday"
"Drop car off at mechanic"
"Interviews, meetings, heaps of work..."
"Chiropractor appointments"
"Teach"
"Tackle overwhelming inbox"

And it could go on and on... 
Does your monkey mind contain a similar list? If so, try writing it all out in this fashion. And then imagine yourself sitting in meditation next to Swami Balendu, and see that list floating above your head. 
Doesn't feel so good, does it? 
In fact, it's very heavy. But I find that sometimes, just getting it all written down helps you to realize the following:

Eventually, it will all get done.
Nothing on this list is life or death. 
Getting these things done is not worth missing out on what's happening in the present moment. 
If we spend our days jumping from tree to tree, moving forward without looking around, we miss out what is truly important.
You can still take care of your list while slowing down and staying aware and connected. Yes, it's possible. 

My goal for the week? To find *even just a moment* of Swami Balendu's ".........."

Now wouldn't that be nice?

Namaste,
Mary Catherine