Two Monks

(see video below)

Two monks were traveling one day together. They were walking down a dirt road and came upon a creek.  At the side of the creek, there was a woman wanting to cross the creek and asked if the monks could help her. Knowing that they had taken a vow, to never touch a woman, the younger monk stepped away from. The elder Monk, however, without hesitation stepped in, picked her up and carried her across the stream. The monks and the woman went their separate ways. An hour passed, the junior monk was stewing in this whole thing that transpired. Then another hour passed, then three hours had passed, finally he could contain himself no more he said to the elder monk “How could you possibly have carried that woman across the stream? We are not even supposed to touch a woman!” To which the elder monk responded: “ I carried her across the stream and I set her down on the other side. You have been carrying her for the last three hours.”

What a great story. It clearly demonstrates how we carry feelings and thoughts to the point of allowing them to control us. Releasing these things which bind us to negativity, can make all the difference in our days.

Consider your mood during your day. Are you flowing up and down with emotions like a roller coaster? Maybe you have an opportunity to let go of some thoughts which do not benefit you!

Two Monks and a Woman... What do you take away from this story?