The Monkey Is the Messenger: Meditation and What Your Busy Mind Is Trying to Tell You

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Hope for all those who want to meditate but feel they can't because they think too much- A remedy. Making friends with the infamous "monkey mind" to make it a means for healing and awakening. An engaging, funny, and introductory guide for anyone whose overactive mind gets in the way of starting a regular meditation practice "My mind is so busy, I really need to meditate." "My mind is so busy, there's no way I can meditate." Familiar dilemma These days just about all of us know we should be meditating, but that doesn't make it any easier to sit down and face the repetitive thoughts careening around our brains-seemingly pointless, sometimes hurtful, nearly always hard to control. Rather than quitting meditation or trying to wall off the monkey mind, Ralph De La Rosa suggests asking yourself a question- If you were to stop demonizing your monkey mind, would it have anything to teach you In a roundabout way, could repetitive thoughts be pointing us in the direction of personal-and even societal-transformation Poignant and entertaining, The Monkey Is the Messenger offers a range of evidence-based, somatic, and trauma-informed insights and practices drawn from De La Rosa's study of neuroscience and psychology and his long practice of meditation and yoga. Here at last-a remedy for all those who want to meditate but suppose they can't because they think too much.

Reviews

With a rare authenticity, Ralph De La Rosa seamlessly blends trauma theory and neuroscience into the framework of Buddhism. Reading this work will be deeply healing for so many people. If you have ever felt a little broken, pick up this bookits the voice we all need to hear.Lodro Rinzler, author of The Buddha Walks into a Bar

Smart and sure to benefit many. Ralph De La Rosas book lovingly reframes the parts of us wed rather avoid, especially our busy and anxious minds, as energies calling us toward a deeper awareness. A very useful contribution to the conversation between Buddhist psychology and Western psychology.Ethan Nichtern, author of The Road Home

Filled with humility and wit, curiosity and hope, this book offers those struggling against the currents of their own torment a path of least resistance back to the safe harbor of self-understanding and self-love.Dr. Miles Neale, author of Gradual Awakening

"Newcomers and readers familiar with meditation alike will enjoy De La Rosas compassionate perspective on the intersection of Buddhist practice and psychotherapy."Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Everyone knows we should be meditating, but what if your thoughts just wont shut up Ralph De La Rosa draws on Buddhism, neuroscience and psychology to posit that instead of growing increasingly frustrated with these intrusive thoughts, we should accept them as a part of ourselves and use them as a tool to understand ourselves better.BookPage

Author Bio

Ralph De La Rosa is a therapist, meditation teacher, storyteller, and musician. A graduate of Fordham University's Graduate School of Social Services, he is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) and incorporates Internal Family Systems therapy (IFS) alongside traditional psychotherapy in his work. He has been featured in numerous publications including GQ, SELF, Women's Health, and Elephant Journal. He currently resides in New York City.