Picture: Google Images
monkey mind
keeps me awake
mulling, thinking
worrying, wondering
tossing, turning
trying to get
comfortable..(as if
that would help)
peek out from under
sleep mask…is the
sun rising yet…
sigh..resigned…again
no use in trying
get up to read
the overhead fan
creaks then quiets
finished my book
wow, it was good
now what do I do
accept that this
happens when I’m
feeling unsettled
it too shall pass
deep breath in
slow breath out
interject mantras
to shush my mind
aw, so what
it’s just another
sleepless night
Claudia Schoenfeld invites us to try writing in “brush strokes” of Impressionism at dVerse Poets Meeting the Bar: http://dversepoets.com/2012/08/09/meeting-the-bar-impressionistic-writing/
brian miller
/ August 9, 2012i feel you…this happens to me…i have never heard it callend monkey mind…i like that turn of phrase…i hate it too when it happens and i have nothing to read and just lay there looking at the ceiling or into the pitch…
Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2012Monkey mind is a Buddhist term referring to the restless, chattering inside our heads that distracts us and stirs up our emotions. A very apt term! I have something on my mind and it’s “monkeying” around with me at night. Last night though, I actually got a good night’s sleep…I’m not sure how that happened! :)
Daydreamertoo
/ August 9, 2012Hate when that happens, I had one of these last night. Urghh Never hard that expression either.
Nice write Gayle.
Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2012I hate it too and it’s been going on for a while now. I’m sure when the issue is resolved (that’s keeping me stirred up) I’ll be able to sleep again. I explained “Monkey Mind” in my response to Brian.. Thanks, Bren.
Mama Zen
/ August 9, 2012I am all to familiar with the monkey mind! Love this!
Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2012Yeah, I’ve got a bad case of it lately! Thanks, MZ..
Margaret
/ August 9, 2012peek out from under
sleep mask…
adorable :) my 10 year old daughter wears one of these. Hope you get some zzz’s soon!
Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2012Finally did get some sleep last night. I chanted for a half hour before bedtime…I think it really helped. Thanks, Margaret.
Jerry
/ August 9, 2012rarely have trouble with this…sorry about the monkey mind of your life though.
Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2012You’re fortunate, Jerry…it’s a real drag! Thanks for coming by…
Claudia
/ August 10, 2012definitely felt..victoria had a sleepless night as well and both of you started writing which i just find the perfect thing to do..
Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2012Yes, Victoria and I both wrote about having insomnia.. Maybe the writing about it helped me sleep last night…that and the chanting I did before bedtime. Ah, that feels better.
Sue Dreamwalker
/ August 10, 2012I will try again as commenting from my phone.
An exellent poem Gayle and I’ve had many such nights the Mind is often played Monkey Tricks in that sleepless zone. Where molehills become mountains. And Time is endless. Love to you Sue
Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2012Hi, Sue…thank you very much. So true…the mind takes over and exaggerates every little thing! Having too much of this lately and the reason is obvious to me and hopefully it will be resolved soon. Did sleep much better last night and fell asleep faster too. I think it may have been the chanting that I did. I’m trying it again tonight! Love and hugs…
dani
/ August 10, 2012i’ve never heard it called the monkey mind, but this was a wonderfully vivid description of a sleepless night!
♥
Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2012A Buddhist term…and it fits perfectly! Every little problem seems to become magnified when trying to get to sleep and quiet down. Thank you, Dani!
hollyannegetspoetic
/ August 10, 2012Ah, restless insomnia…. yes, I know the one… :)
Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2012No fun! Thanks for coming by, Holly. :)
Ravenblack
/ August 10, 2012I can so relate to this. Restless mind. Constantly bothered, worried, wondering, insecure, telling the worst what-if stories. It’s a struggle sometimes. Great job painting the restless monkey. I like the pic you got accompanying this post too. :)
Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2012It sounds like you can relate…sorry about that! :( I like that pic too…perfect for my topic. I appreciate your visit…thank you.
John (@bookdreamer)
/ August 10, 2012Apt name for one of those nights
Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2012I did not come up with that name…it’s a Buddhist term for uncontrollable thoughts. But how appropriate for what has been happening to me at night lately. Thanks, John.
kaykuala
/ August 10, 2012It’s daydreaming in reverse! I cannot imagine that it could happen to me at odd times. Those were the most unproductive moments! Sleepless nights. Nice write Bodhirose!
Hank
Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2012Yes..exactly! And add to the already restless “daydreaming”, the worry of being tired and sleepy the next day…not a good thing… Thank you, Hank…I appreciate the compliment.
hedgewitch
/ August 10, 2012Acceptance makes adjustment, and I feel for the sleepless nights. A clear impression here of that ‘monkey mind’ that won’t stop jumping pointlessly around…(why I am hopeless at meditating!) Enjoyed it, Bodhirose.
Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2012Yes, acceptance…thus my “so what” at the end! I feel for you…meditation is a challenge for me too but I did manage some focused chanting last night and I actually slept. I’ll be trying that again tonight… Thanks for your visit, Hedgewitch.
Gay Reiser Cannon
/ August 10, 2012Captured it perfectly. I’ve been having those lately too. What a great way of expressing that inability to quiet the mind and float off.
Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2012Thanks, Gay…and very sorry you’re experiencing this too.
Lorna's Voice
/ August 10, 2012You’ve captured the essence of the monkey mind. Now if only we could capture the monkey mind and calm that critter down… I smiled all the way through this one even though it’s not funny when you’re trying to relax and your mind has a zillion places to go. :)
Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2012If only is right… No, it isn’t very funny when it’s 4:30AM and still no sleep! Yet another opportunity to practice letting go…of what I think should be happening. Thanks, Lorna. :)
Lorna's Voice
/ August 11, 2012That is a constant challenge for me–letting go of what I think should be happening and letting things just be okay as they are. I’ll definitely be coming back after this life is finished. I have so much more to learn!
Victoria C. Slotto
/ August 10, 2012Ha! I think insomnia is a symptom of creative minds, don’t you? At least that’s my excuse. David tells me not to think. Fat chance. Also, I think it’s a girl thing.
Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2012I think it must be, Victoria…I like that excuse. Yeah, fat chance…although I did seem to channel some of that out-of-control thinking when I decided to chant for a while. I slept last night. I hope it wasn’t a fluke…I’m trying it again tonight!
tigerbrite
/ August 10, 2012I am very familiar with my monkey mind.
It always tries to prevent my meditation.
Ego given to us for a reason ?
To keep us from connecting to universal mind ?
Sleeplessness is our higher self trying to communicate this.
Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2012People may not have heard the term “monkey mind” but I think most people can recognize it in themselves. That monkey mind makes me think that my meditation efforts have failed because of my many distractions by it…but just sitting for meditation is a success (at least this is what I tell myself). You raise some interesting questions that I hadn’t thought of before….now I want a conversation with you… Very intriguing. Thanks!
tigerbrite
/ August 11, 2012A help to meditation is to have a subject to meditate on… I know it sounds daft but I used to sit for ages hoping stuff would come to me. Sometimes it did, but when I concentrate on a subject I sometimes think I’m not getting any where yet the realisations come afterwards by synchronicity.
Bodhirose
/ August 11, 2012I’ve had the same experience…where seemingly nothing has happened that I can perceive during meditation but awareness-es will unfold later. Also, I use chanting as a meditation which helps to focus my mind…it really raises my vibration almost immediately. Thanks for sharing with me…I really appreciate that.
zongrik
/ August 10, 2012I take it that Monkey-mind is that anxiety in your life. I know those sleepless nights too, thinking way too much, like swinging on monkey bars.
foam
Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2012Yes, it’s exactly what you describe…too much thinking..the thoughts jumping and swinging…when you’d rather be sleeping!
ds
/ August 10, 2012“monkey mind”–terrific phrase. I relate best to your fifth stanza. Finished my book…now what do I do? Tortursome monkey; wonderful poem. Thank you.
Bodhirose
/ August 10, 2012Yeah, when reading doesn’t even allow you to sleep…then what? I’m glad you enjoyed it…thanks so much…and, you’re welcome.
Kristina
/ August 10, 2012Monkey mind is a good term for it. Definitely have experienced this.
Bodhirose
/ August 11, 2012I think most human beings have, Kristina! Can drive us crazy sometimes… Thanks for coming by.
bardessdmdenton
/ August 18, 2012Our minds can be our best friend and worse enemy … especially when we are trying to get to sleep! I love the way you used the monkey-mind concept here, Gayle!
Bodhirose
/ August 18, 2012So very true…our minds can work with us or against us. What we don’t always realize is that WE are in charge…we can train our minds to always “be on our side.” Thanks so much, Diane!
Mahan lakshmi
/ August 18, 2012Hi mawmaw…relax…you are loved
Bodhirose
/ August 18, 2012Mahan…what a nice surprise. I’m much more relaxed now…and it feels so nice to be loved…much gratitude..and love you too.
Renee Espriu
/ August 19, 2012I connect with you on this one, Gayle. We finally had a respite on Friday night from the heat and when all is said and done I had not slept in so many nights sleep was not forthcoming as I thought it would be. “Another sleepless night” indeed. Well written.
Bodhirose
/ August 19, 2012And you still couldn’t sleep…oh, I know you must have felt even more frustrated, Renee. And that feeling never helps sleeping either. So very sorry to hear you’re having this problem. Thank you.
dragonkatet
/ August 27, 2012Heh, wouldn’t it be great if we could consistently find the “off switch”? I know some people can. I suppose they have found the path to enlightenment. For some reason, a lot of times when I try to meditate, that “monkey mind” gets louder. It’s like ignoring it (or trying to ignore it) wakes it up, or something. I think Victoria was right about the “creative mind” and I also think Tigerbrite was on to something re: Ego. I hope you’ve managed to tame your “monkey mind” more often than not! :)
Bodhirose
/ August 27, 2012Yes, that elusive “off” button…where is that thing?! I used to stress more about that monkey mind during meditation but realize (for me) that it’s the practice of just noticing it and bringing my attention back to the breath that’s the important thing. But I really had something weighing on my mind that was really messing with me (ego definitely took over)…and it was keeping me awake…there has now been resolution and my sleeping is much better now. Yes, Tigerbrite and Victoria both were on to something. Love your comments, Corina…thanks so much. Hugs…
Polly Robinson
/ August 28, 2012We have a blackout blind yet still insomnia calls ~ wonderful phrase ‘monkey mind’, new to me ~ love the rhythm and the resigned tone in your poem
Bodhirose
/ August 28, 2012Since I wear one of those masks to sleep, it has helped me sleep better…I do like it dark…light will wake me up… But it’s hard to ‘wrangle’ an overactive mind that keeps you awake chattering! I’m glad you liked this, Polly…my adventure with insomnia. :)
Polly Robinson
/ August 28, 2012I love that you’re having an adventure with insomnia! My ‘adventure’ has lasted 12 years! In the end it becomes a way of life ~ with the accompanying black circles under the eyes ~ heh-heh :D
Bodhirose
/ August 29, 2012Twelve years…I can’t imagine…not a fun adventure that’s for sure. I’ve not had really long term sleeplessness…usually only if something is wearing on my mind…I’m sorry, Polly.
Sue Judd
/ August 29, 2012Monkey-mind…sounds cute, but insomnia sure isn’t! I know the worrying, wondering bit all too well. Good write, I enjoyed this.
Bodhirose
/ August 29, 2012No, it’s not cute…it’s maddening! Thanks for coming by, Sue.