Monkey Mind. Offensive to Monekys? PART 1: MONKEY STYLE

Is the common reference in Buddhism to the chattering subconscious and distracted attention as being akin to the mindstate of a monkey even accurate? would monkeys find this expression offensive themselves? where did this expression begin and does it merely reflect the innate disdain of wild creatures prominent in many civilizations through development over time?

Well, I feel this is just plain WRONG. And harmful to monkeys. and I will briefly explore a few passages regarding the theme of monkeys.

The first text, a passage from "Chronicles of Tao" by Deng Ming Dao, chronicling the life of Daoist Monk and Martial Arts Master Saihung Gwuan, involves a description of martial art styles and attacks in the Kung Fu/Shaolin discipline, specifically from the "Monkey Master," I found the passage fascinating:

"The monkey master was a clown. seldom serious, he laughed and chattered constantly. living in a mud-walled hut set in a tiny, sun-dappled grove, he really looked like a lone ape. he had short, stubby legs, grotesquely long, dangling arms, and a pleasant, round face that seemed all the larger for the closely cropped hair. he loved to joke with his students and did dozens of flips and monkey imitations to entertain them.
the monkey style employed acrobatics, qinggong (the science of "lightening" oneself to jump great heights and distances), a loose body, concentrated mind and external strength. flexibility was paramount, and the monkey master felt that relaxation was imperative not only to the physical and mental states necessary for monkey boxing, but for spirituality as well. he explained by using monkeys as an example.
'Look at all you Taoist boys.' he giggled. 'someday you'll grow up to be priests with long lives of meditation. the monkeys have you beaten. they know meditation already.'
'If you look quietly in the forests, you can come across a monkey sitting by a stream, just staring. he's not moving, he's not doing anything. he's just sitting in complete stillness. just think- he didn't need a Taoist to teach him.
' Or you might see a monkey perched on a high treetop, completely lost in himself. he might be a hundred feet off the ground, but he won't fall because he has complete stillness. Just look at you fellows. why you can hardly stand properly!
' the monkey is totally relaxed. he is unafraid because he knows his intelligence makes him superior. the monkey knows strategy, instinctively understanding the saying 'I move after the enemy but arrive before him.' attack a monkey. he'll roll away, take a watchful posture. he'll stay there for hours or days until your next move. you can't catch him off guard. the instant you move, he'll respond more quickly than you anticipate."

the passage goes on to describe strikes in the 'monkey style.'

I was greatly impressed by this passage upon my first encounter. Here, in a few short paragraphs, a "Monkey Master" completely refutes the notion of monkeys being unfocused and chatty, hence "Monkey Mind," difficult to subdue, to an empty, meditative state, stating that the monkey is perfectly focused, clear and relaxed, completely immersed in his surroundings and ready for what life deals up next. This shatters the modern human impression of monkeys, especially as employed in Buddhist teachings.

Perhaps it is time to really study monkeys and observe their behavior before repeating ignorant human sentiments as teaching aids!