Letting go

Two monks—one bodhisattva and one young bhikkhu—come up to a raging river. As they prepare to cross, they look over and see a young, beautiful woman who needs help. The bodhisattva carries the woman across, sets her down, and continues on his way. The young bhikkhu is stunned. They have both taken a vow never to touch any women. After a couple of hours, the young bhikkhu finally blurts out, “How could you break your vow like that?” The elder bodhisattva turns and says, “I sat her down at the edge of the river; why are you still carrying her?”

We carry baggage with us everywhere we go. We hold on so tightly to our ideals that we ignore the opportunities to contribute right before us.