In the recently posted series on the expansion of consciousness, which begins here, Hazrat Inayat Khan gives a very profound explanation about the ways in which we may grow beyond our self-assumed limits, and in part IV of the series he refers to a small, commonly known object, a sort of toy showing three monkeys, to illustrate the way through meditation to the indescribable state known as cosmic consciousness.

Most of us have seen – and perhaps even owned – one of these monkey images, and probably have dismissed it as nothing more than a sort of playful cartoon. What could it have to do with us? Three monkeys – seeing no evil? Hearing no evil? Speaking no evil? Do they ever behave this way? Maybe it is a bit of frivolous piety, or perhaps it is even satire, since we seldom take the message seriously. But surely, we suppose, there is nothing in it to merit real attention.

This is the mystery of symbols. In the Gathas, the Naqshbandi* section on spiritual symbology begins with these words: The wise have given lessons to the world in different forms suited to the evolution of the people at a particular time, and the first and most original form of education that the wise gave to the world has been symbolical. This method of teaching has been valued in all ages and will always have its importance. […] It is seen and yet veiled, it is known and yet unknown…

Perhaps the mind that first devised this image hit upon portraying monkeys because it speaks of our earthly nature. Anyone who has tried to adopt some spiritual discipline will know the constantly jumping agitation of our ‘monkey mind.’ It could also be that by using animals instead of humans, the symbol manages to conceal itself. The lesson is easily overlooked unless we sincerely want to learn it.

The monkey symbol, therefore offers us lessons on a number of levels. We can try to control our inner world so that we really do avoid speaking evil, and manage also to overlook evil in what we see and hear; that is the moral lesson, and no one can go far on the path without practising it. But the monkeys also suggest that we turn inward from our senses to the state of meditation; that is deeper, and only the one who is ready for it will grasp this teaching.

A third, more general lesson is to pause and look around ourselves with new interest. If so much can be hidden in this little toy, what other teachings are hidden in plain sight?

*Naqshbandi has the meaning of one who makes marks, such as a painter or embroiderer. It is also the name of a particular Sufi order.