As I have been learning about old relationships, new life experiences in business, and have gorged new future possibilities, I shared a moment with a new friend. She told me the story of the two monks that really resonated with me and where I am now. It is amazing how much ‘junk’ we carry with us on a daily basis, most of it out of fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of being hurt/ashamed, fear of unhappy people/exchanges. I have been working on my own fears and have identified that I truly need to “put the girl down” if I am to move forward with all I am to accomplish in my life. Just to make this story more poignant, I told it to my coach who then received it in an email a day later. Ok, ok Universe…we got your message. Please listen to the wisdom of the Two Monks…
There is an ancient teaching story about two Buddhist monks walking along a river in silence. They have a vow of chastity which requires that they never speak to or ever touch a woman.
As they were walking up the river, they came upon a woman who was desperately trying to get across the river because her child is on the other side. It’s a fast-flowing river and she is frightened to cross it by herself.
One of the monks walks over to her and offers his help. He picks her up and with the strength that he carries in his legs that walk mountains, valleys and streams, he carries her across the river, sets her down, comes back to join his fellow and they begin again to walk in silence.
About two hours later, the second monk says to the first, “I can’t believe you carried that woman across the river. I can’t believe you touched her. I can’t believe that you broke your vows…” The other monk simply looks at his companion and says, “I put her down two hours ago. You are still carrying her.”
