You are not logged in. You can log in or create an account to save favorites and join collections. more info
Monkey Mind Talks
The term monkey mind or mind monkey originates from Chinese xīnyuán or Sino-Japanese shin'en (心猿), a word that literally means "heart-mind monkey." It is a Buddhist concept that describes a state of restlessness, capriciousness, and lack of control in one's thoughts. This "mind monkey" metaphor is not only found in Buddhist writings such as Chan or Zen, Consciousness-only, Pure Land, and Shingon, but it has also been adopted in Taoism, Neo-Confucianism, Chinese poetry, theater, and literature. The expression "monkey mind" commonly appears in two reversible four-character idioms paired with yima or iba (意馬), which means "idea horse": Chinese xinyuanyima (心猿意馬) and Japanese ibashin'en (意馬心猿) illustrate the interconnectedness of a restless mind and wandering thoughts. The "Monkey King" Sun Wukong in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West is an iconic personification of feeling indecisive and unsettled.
| Title | Speaker | |
|---|---|---|
Realizing the Buddha Way Together Monkey Mind, Wisdom |
Jan 2022 |
|
The Three Marks Of Existence Nirvana, Four Noble Truths, Monkey Mind, Daily Life |
May 29 2021 |
|
Provider of Many and Varied Opportunities To Experience and Penetrate the Arising and Cessation of SufferingSerial: BZ-02652 Rohatsu Day 5
Impermanence, Monkey Mind, Demons, Happiness, Birth-and-Death |
Dec 06 2018 |
|
Presence Monkey Mind, Current Events, Dragons, Transmission |
Aug 19 2017 |
|
Zazengi: Shikantaza is the Ultimate KoanSerial: BZ-02449 Rohatsu Day 2
Conversation, Daily Life, Forgiveness, Monkey Mind |
Nov 30 2015 |
|
Real Choice in Limitless Love Big Mind, Conversation, Equanimity, Monkey Mind |
Jan 24 2015 |
|
Brahmana Viharas Equanimity, Monkey Mind, Forgiveness, Four Noble Truths, War, Ego |
Aug 09 2014 |
|
Clean the Temple and Listen to the Cries of the World Monkey Mind, Suzuki Roshi, Dragons |
Jun 07 2014 AM No Abode Hermitage |
|
Listening as Compassionate Presence Monkey Mind |
Jun 07 2014 AM |
|
Zazen and the Seven Factors of EnlightenmentSerial: BZ-02227 Beneficial Attachment, One-Day Sitting Passive and Active Zazen
Shikantaza, Posture, Zazen, Monkey Mind, Concentration, Big Mind, Daily Life,... |
Jan 21 2012 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
Sesshin Practice Big Mind, Buddha Nature, Concentration, Doubt, Monkey Mind |
Dec 04 2011 |
|
The Bodhisattva's Creativity and Freedom Monkey Mind, Practice Period, Hindrances, Bodhisattva Way |
Dec 01 2011 The Yoga Room |
|
Sesshin Mind - What Is ItSerial: BZ-02187 Shuso talk Sesshin Day 3 Ordinary Mind, Big Mind, Monkey Mind, Practice Period, Posture, Emotions, Demons,... |
Jun 17 2011 |
|
Resuming Big Mind Part TwoSerial: BZ-02144 Trikaya, Rohatsu Day 2 Trikaya, Sambhogakaya, Dharmakaya, Nirmanakaya, Big Mind, Buddha Mind, Buddha Nature... |
Dec 06 2010 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
Resuming Big Mind - The Purpose of SesshinSerial: BZ-02143 Rohatsu Day 1 Karma, Suzuki Roshi, Monkey Mind, Big Mind, Concentration, Posture, Interview, Non-... |
Dec 05 2010 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
Zen Silence and Self-Acceptance Path Monkey Mind |
Jun 24 2009 |
|
Traditional Zen Spirit: Zen Mind Beginner's MindZen Mind Beginner's Mind, Buddha Nature, Ego, Karma, Monkey Mind, Posture,... |
Nov 01 2008 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
Traditional Zen Spirit Bodhidharma, Buddha Nature, Ego, Karma, Monkey Mind, Posture, Practice Period, Right... |
Nov 01 2008 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
The Brain and EnlightenmentEnlightenment, Bodhidharma, Dependent Origination, Heart Sutra, Liberation, Monkey... |
Aug 02 2008 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
"Cooking Your Life": CommentarySerial: BZ-00993A Teaching Retreat, part 2 of 2 Tenzo Kyokun, Bodhidharma, Buddha Nature, Ego, Emotions, Monkey Mind, Practice Period... |
Sep 01 2007 2 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
Big MindSerial: BZ-01405B Dharmakaya/Sambhogakaya/Nirmanakaya, Rohatsu Day 5 Trikaya, Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya, Nirmanakaya, Big Mind, Buddha Nature, Dharma... |
Dec 01 2006 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
Resuming Big MindSerial: BZ-01202 Sesshin Practice, Rohatsu Day 2 Sesshin, Big Mind, Buddha Mind, Concentration, Karma, Monkey Mind, Posture |
Nov 29 2005 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
Big MindSerial: BZ-00571 Sesshin Day 2 Buddha Mind, Big Mind, Concentration, Daily Life, Don't Know Mind, Equanimity,... |
Feb 21 2005 Tassajara |
|
Bravo’s DeathSerial: BZ-01245 Sesshin Lecture Big Mind, Birth-and-Death, Composure, Manjushri, Monastic Practice, Monkey Mind,... |
Sep 06 2004 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
September 6th, 2004, Serial No. 01575 Big Mind, Birth-and-Death, Composure, Manjushri, Monastic Practice, Monkey Mind,... |
Sep 06 2004 |
|
Hinayana Practice: Calm Your MindSerial: BZ-01241 Saturday Lecture Mahayana, Monkey Mind, Nirvana, Obstacles, Subject-and-Object, Impermanence, Heart... |
Aug 21 2004 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
Suzuki-rôshi 100th Birth MemorialSerial: BZ-01265 Gutei's One Finger, Monkey Mind, Saturday Lecture Suzuki Roshi, Monkey Mind, Shikantaza, Monkey Mind, Gaining Mind, Obstacles, Practice... |
May 29 2004 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
Turtle Practice: Big Mind, Soft MindSerial: BZ-00173A Monkey Mind, Rohatsu Day 1 Monkey Mind, Big Mind, Buddha Nature, Concentration, Daily Life, Equanimity, Monkey... |
Dec 02 2002 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
Mumonkan: Case #9Serial: BZ-00233A Nonattained Buddha and Polishing the Tile, Sesshin Day 1 MM-9, Lotus Sutra, Bodhidharma, Monkey Mind, Daily Life, Buddha Nature, Priest,... |
Aug 31 2002 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
When Everything Falls Apart: “Raising Lazarus”Serial: BZ-00156B Lecture Don't Know Mind, Bodhisattva Ceremony, Buddha Nature, Monkey Mind, Rinzai,... |
Aug 24 2002 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
Translating Zen: Mindfulness in Every Word Big Mind, Monkey Mind, Kinhin, Emptiness, Heart Sutra |
Aug 14 2002 |
|
Tenzo KyokunSerial: BZ-00147B Saturday Lecture Tenzo Kyokun, Buddha Nature, Monkey Mind, Practice Period, Vinaya, Dharma Position,... |
May 18 2002 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
Eight Major AfflictionsSerial: BZ-00084B Saturday Lecture Monkey Mind, Hindrances, Duality, Nirvana, Renunciation |
Jul 28 2001 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
Awakening Perfection in Everyday LifeSerial: SF-00032 Sunday talk. Buddha Nature, Karma, Monkey Mind, Daily Life, Buddha Mind, Causation, Sangha,... |
Mar 21 1999 |
|
Trusting The Path of Presence Big Mind, Don't Know Mind, Hindrances, Monkey Mind |
Jun 14 1998 |
|
Heart SutraSerial: BZ-00842 Class 3 of 4 Four Noble Truths, Precepts, Don't Know Mind, Subject-and-Object, Causation,... |
Jul 24 1997 3 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
Life of BuddhaSerial: BZ-00848 Class 3 of 6 Heart Sutra, Dependent Origination, Monkey Mind, Renunciation, Liberation, Karma,... |
Mar 27 1997 3 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
Discussing Suzuki-rôshi Lecture #12Serial: BZ-00117 Lecture Birth-and-Death, Family Practice, Lay Practice, Lotus Sutra, Monastic Practice,... |
Jan 22 1997 Unknown |
|
Monkey Mind & Controlling the PassionsSerial: BZ-00783B Saturday Lecture Monkey Mind, Monkey Mind, Demons, Lay Practice, Avalokitesvara, Liberation |
Jan 18 1997 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
Dukkha & The SelfSerial: BZ-00780B One-Day Sitting Dukkha, Birth-and-Death, Nirvana, Four Noble Truths, Samsara, Daily Life, Monkey Mind... |
Jan 12 1997 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
RenewalSerial: BZ-00938B Saturday Lecture Bowing, Continuous Practice, Demons, Monkey Mind, Ordination, Precepts |
Aug 13 1994 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
August 13th, 1994, Serial No. 01184Serial: BZ-01184 #duplicate-please-hide Bowing, Demons, Monkey Mind, Ordination, Practice Period, Precepts |
Aug 13 1994 |
|
Beginner’s MindSerial: BZ-00647A Beginners' Sitting Conversation, Posture, Zazen Mind, Monkey Mind, Zoom, Equanimity, Interview |
Jan 16 1993 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
Practicing with Problems and DemonsSerial: BZ-01519 Monkey, It's a Wonderful Life, Saturday Lecture Demons, Happiness, Hindrances, Monkey Mind, New Year, Obstacles, Repentance |
Jan 02 1993 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
Six Factors of ConsciousnessSerial: BZ-00371B Sesshin Day 2 Consciousness, Monkey Mind, Doubt, Hindrances, Posture, Ego, Daily Life, Hate,... |
Mar 18 1989 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
The Six Pairs of Qualitative FactorsSerial: BZ-01468 Lecture, sesshin day 1 Monkey Mind, Posture, Hindrances, Continuous Practice, Emotions, Lay Practice,... |
Nov 16 1988 Tassajara |
|
November 16th, 1988, Serial No. 01508 Chanting, Continuous Practice, Emotions, Hindrances, Lay Practice, Monkey Mind,... |
Nov 16 1988 |
|
November 16th, 1988, Serial No. 01512 Chanting, Continuous Practice, Emotions, Hindrances, Lay Practice, Monkey Mind,... |
Nov 16 1988 |
|
Perfect Just as You AreSerial: BZ-00891B Sesshin .day 4 Posture, Monkey Mind, Bowing, Buddha Nature, Don't Know Mind, Emotions, Heart... |
Jun 18 1988 Berkeley Zen Center |
|
Abhidharma: The Six PairsSerial: BZ-00417B One-Day Sitting Abhidharma, Hindrances, Eight Aspects, Daily Life, Monkey Mind, Doubt, Emotions,... |
Oct 29 1983 Berkeley Zen Center |