Monkey Brain and the Critic

That incessant chatter. It comes at the most inopportune times.

What the heck is it? WHO is saying all this stuff to me and interrupting while I do other things? My monkey brain is at its loudest when I am focusing on ME.

Have you ever noticed that when YOU are focused on YOU (and especially when there are other people focused on YOU) that the monkey in your brain is so loud you are paralyzed in some way? Have you found that some part of you cannot function for the chatter that is crowding out anything that is helpful? Does this happen while you perform?

It has definitely happened to me -

I have even screamed at the monkey to SHUT UP while I was playing! Did it work for me?

Nope.

I recently wrote about good ego, and how you must have good ego (confidence, feeling good, building a great sandwich that you love). The monkey brain will chip away at all of these things if you let it. The famous author Natalie Goldberg attaches the monkey chatter to the inner critic. Perhaps we think we are beating our presumed ‘outer’ critics to the punch?

So, what do you do with this chatter? How do you stop the monkey brain?

1. prepare – become absorbed in the music and preparation so much that you don’t hear the monkey because the beauty and gift of what you ARE reaches volumes that exceed the chatter. To be prepared is to be prepared (my personal mantra).

2. fall in love with the music – listen to amazing recordings, play along with your favorite recording, sing on behalf of the composer – what are they communicating to you? Look up what was happening in their life that compelled the composition. What is their story? Tell their story! Cherish every note and every phrase.

3. share your message – become self-absorbed(it’s ok!) in your unique sound and style, surround yourself with friends and family and love and support. YOU have a gift to give that is unique to you, no one else can do it JUST like you – celebrate that! There is nothing to fear.

And finally – practice getting away from the monkey brain by enjoying your senses (smells, colors, sensory stimulation). What do you hear? What colors do you see? Are you outside? What does it smell like?

Practice silencing the chatter by listening to your breath as you walk around and give attention to your surroundings…you will be amazed at how quiet your mind can be.