054-The monkeys in the head - Buddhism in daily life

We have to silence the monkeys in our heads, otherwise the ego will drive us crazy.

All day long the head cinema runs, constantly new thoughts are played, there to come to rest seems impossible. Some people have already reached the next stage, the monkeys in the head have become a threat to mental health, many of the mental illnesses go back to the original head cinema.

Sure, if "one" thinks about everything like this, then one can already "start to ponder", the destiny of man is not easy, everything will be lost by "one" one day, nothing can be kept, every living being and every thing is transient. We are all going to die, nothing we can do about it, so why do anything at all, better to get drowsy, just don't think about it, just numb yourself.

That's how you might think, yes. But there are other approaches, how "one" can spend the life, to each little animal its Plaisierchen. But no matter how we occupy ourselves, deep down we can't stop thinking about the meaning of life. What happens to me after death is a very important question, but also "where do I come from", "where am I going" keeps popping up in the mind palace.

Monotheistic religions have their beliefs, which you just have to believe. Buddhism is different, because the teachings of Buddha leave little "to believe" here, but everything needs a beginning.

No matter how one stands to religion or spirituality, the monkeys in the head must be silenced. Here it is advisable to take a general "day of silence" once, in order to pull the brake, to make the own personality once familiar with the whole problem. Could you do that, be silent for a whole day? Well, nuns or monks in Buddhist monasteries are silent for years in some cases, so yes, it is doable to not speak for a day.

If you have your problems with the monkeys in your head, then make the effort with the "day of silence", I promise you that you will achieve great success. Such a day needs preparation, especially if you do not live alone. Talk to those around you about this special occasion, explain to those around you how important the endeavor is to you, why you want to try it, what the motivations are. Others are usually understanding if they know what is going on. Turn off the phone and the doorbell, and if you can, the TV and the radio. On this day, read that book you've been meaning to read.

The way is the goal!

Apply your mind to everything, and when you have analyzed it and found it good for you and everyone else, then you can believe in it, live by it and help your neighbor to live by it too

- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480 before the year zero

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