BUDDHIST WISDOM

There is a Buddhist parable … and I’m paraphrasing here … about two monks, a senior and a junior, who while on a journey encounter a woman by the side of a river. The woman is crying and the older of the monks asks her what the trouble is. The woman tells them that she is afraid. The river is too wide and running too fast for her to cross, and she needs to get to the other side.

Without hesitating, the older monk picks the woman up and carries her across the river. Once on the other side, he sets her down and after accepting her thanks, the two continue on their way.

As they walk, the older monk can tell that something is bothering his younger companion, so he asks him what the trouble is. The younger monk says, “we have taken a vow never to touch a woman and yet you picked her up and carried her across the river.”

The older monk looks at the younger and replies, “I set that woman down hours ago, and yet you are still carrying her.”

I was reminded of this story recently when I realized that I have been carrying a burden, one I thought I could not lay down until I had the opportunity to speak my truth … but what if that opportunity never comes? Am I obligated to continue to carry the burden?

It’s taken me far too long to realize that the answer is no.

What burdens are you carrying that do not serve your higher good?

Can you imagine laying them down?