Just the Right Amount of Monkey Business
“Five little monkeys jumping on the bed!” I sang loudly as my room buzzed with sounds of a rattling bed and yells of a five-year-old. That would be my sixth time to sing that particular song; I would continue for another hour. Although my outlets of expression have altered as I’ve aged, I’m still as amused with monkeys as before. Nothing’s changed, except I sing songs by the Arctic Monkeys now. Monkeys have always played a prominent role in my life. Whether it is through my stuffed animal monkey named “Momoko,” enthusiasm to see them at the zoo, my interest in the Curious George children’s books, or constant singing of monkey rhymes, I have continually been impressed by their dynamism.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1MxtTPm-Ek
Through my spiritual journey, I came across several potential spirit animals. Some of them were animals that I felt attached to based on previous interactions, while other animals were simply ones that I wished I could identify with. However, immediately upon discovering the spirit animal that embodied myself, I felt a strange sensation—a connection. I instantly knew this animal was right for me; I am a monkey. Spirit animals “warn us of danger, protect us from it, and awake sleeping powers within us,”—if we open ourselves up to their capabilities. Though the use of spirit animals may “seem primitive today and even silly to the rational minds of modern society,” I personally find nature to be an unharnessed tool that are we are foolish not to look to for inspiration. While monkeys and I share a multitude of similarities, our differences are also visible and prove to be revealing about my identity. Ultimately, the figure of a monkey--whether through its observable traits, presence throughout history, or symbolism--functions as a teacher. For the phase that I am in, the monkey will be used to direct my growth and support my efforts in finding my passion.
Monkeys are fascinating primates--swinging from branch to branch, socializing and entertaining, craving activity and stimulation. “They are the acrobats of the forest, capable of moving with remarkable agility,“ and attempting to utilize all available opportunities. This free environment brings mobility and energy. Like a monkey, I have a penchant for bringing laughter and lightheartedness to a situation. “It’s easy to sleep through life’s adventure, and a monkey tells us to awaken the child in us,” and expose ourselves to the simple innocence of the world. That being said, I often struggle to remain grounded with reality. Instead of focusing on the present condition, I become restless and focus on future possibilities. I find it enjoyable to create advanced notions of who I want to be and where I want to go and in doing so, fail to fully embrace the moment. While this idealistic mentality may be beneficial when creating visionary goals, it can be impractical in its eventual results.
Our similarities go beyond the physical dimension of simply being small in stature and having a wide array of facial expressions; both of us are self-reliant and confident. This sense of independence stems from aspiring to be original. Monkeys are shown to work together in the wild by cooperating on tasks, sharing their rewards, and building off of each other’s momentum. Similarly, my imagination thrives when I’m able to feed off of other individuals’ energies. Consequently, I feel dissatisfied when I’m not deeply engaged in what I’m learning. I exhibit an insatiable curiosity and a fervent desire for understanding people and the connections between the concepts surrounding me. It’s therefore preferable to have one-on-one conversations with people, rather than group conversations. This allows me to truly tune into the details of a person. I’ve been able to learn best through experiential learning, and it’s been my inquisitiveness to take risks to accomplish this. Monkeys also display this trait from their youth as they experience the world with their hands, grasping new objects and even using tools to communicate. This shared quench allows us to feel energized by daily discoveries and motivates us to explore deeper.
Although our personalities often complement one another and help me in my daily success, I possess various weaknesses that call for this primate’s guidance. For instance, I have a tendency to express myself on emotions rather than rational thought. Instead of fully processing what I should say and how I should say it, when I feel compelled, I immediately voice my opinion. Therefore, because I communicate largely through gestures and body postures like my spirit animal, it becomes incredibly apparent how I am feeling. This sort of passionate communication certainly bodes well in intention and comes from a place of genuine concern. However, it would serve me better if I try to react slower and more objectively. While I may prefer other people to act this way towards me, I must realize that not everybody prefers to hear an answer this way. I must learn from the monkey how to use my animated communication in a constructive manner, using distinct mannerisms to enhance my message.
Differences between my spirit animal and me expose more of my character. For example, monkeys are known to exhibit aggression when dealing with figures of authority--this is not an accurate representation of me. Although I may feel uncomfortable addressing issues of disrespectful authority, I am not one to harbor hostility. Instead, I typically confront said situations by detaching myself. Additionally, Monkeys are known for their repeated chicanery. Due to their playful nature, monkeys often do not understand when to stop joking. Despite this trait being true to a certain degree, I do not consider myself to be an entertainer. Ironically, in my youth, I was reserved and lacked the boldness that I possess now. I always kept to myself and was scared of honest expression. A shift in me, which probably coincided with a shift in my spirit animal, occurred during this time and allowed me to flourish into a confident individual. I became more secured in who I was, and thus could give in to my carefree tendencies. While my disposition includes being lively and good-humored, I do not think that I play the role of “jokester” that monkeys tend to hold.
Apart from the monkey observed in nature, there also exist monkeys in religious contexts that have been looked towards historically for guidance. For example, the Hinduism monkey god Hanuman is well-known and well-worshipped throughout India. Hanuman is the god of courage and dedication and is a man of great learning. During the Ramayana, an epic Indian novel, he was assigned the role of rescuing Ram’s wife Sita who had been abducted by Ravana. Through this famous tale, he demonstrates his perseverance over the ever-present forces of evil and instead uses his mental stability to achieve success. Therefore, this instance illustrates historical precedence for individuals looking to the figure of a monkey for strength. Once again, I can look towards these qualities of remaining dedicated to my passions and be audacious in my efforts to pursue them.
Other philosophical references of the enlightenment that monkeys have imparted to humans are also present in other cultures, such as that of Japan. The Japanese proverb “see no evil, speak no evil, and hear no evil” originates from the three wise monkeys Mizaru, Kikazaru, and Shizaru. In order words, this means, “see no negativity, hear no negativity, [and] speak no negativity.” This recognized maxim, exemplified by the three monkeys covering their eyes, mouth, and ears, respectively, states that if we do not perpetuate the forces of evil, it will have no power over us. These monkeys symbolize the potential that individuals possess if they concentrate on the positive. Thus, monkeys are placed on a higher dimension than humans to help eliminate negative energies and focus on the true essence of life. In disregarding these distractions, I can work on being a more compassionate and forgiving individual.
Having and recognizing the monkey as my spirit animal now means that I can attempt to employ the wisdom that this noble being has to offer. The monkey is not only my teacher, but moreover my companion. In times where it has becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish my true self, it becomes comforting to know that my spirit animal is watching upon us. “Every species and every aspect of its environment” has the power to remind us what we can “manifest within their [our] own life.” The monkey will remind me to remain optimistic in my dreams but not naïve, passionate in my communication but not offensive, confident in my appearance but not aggressive, and most importantly balanced in all my endeavors.
Project One
Wednesday, September 28, 2011