What We Carry

One of my favorite Zen stories is about two monks returning to their monastery. On the way, they came to a wide river that was swollen, because of heavy rains. As they started across, the senior monk noticed a young girl a little ways up. He instantly understood that she would not be able to cross safely, because of the swift current and physical distance. The senior monk went to the girl and talked with her. She was trying to get home to her village, but as he suspected was not able to cross. He took the young girl and put her on his back and the three waded across.

Once they reached the other side, the senior monk placed the girl on the ground. She thanked them and then headed off to her village. As the two monks continued their journey back to their own monastery, the junior monk stopped in his tracks. The senior monk turned to him and noticed, just by looking at his face that he was very angry and upset. The senior monk asked, "Why is your mind so clouded?" The young monk replied, "You broke a rule! You carried that girl. You know full well that we are not supposed to touch women and yet you did. You should feel ashamed." The senior monk responded, "I left that girl, back there by the rivers edge. Why are you still carrying her?" Immediately the senior monk marched on.

That story has taught me a lot and is a good reminder. I have the capacity to carry so much stuff (e.g. baggage) in my mind that A) doesn't belong to me and B) is not helpful. I sometimes remind myself to "release, release, release the burden. It will be okay." And guess what? It always is.

Gassho,

Jaye Morris, Curator
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