Only by acknowledging our thoughts and bringing them into the light can we begin to loosen their grip on our hearts and minds, finding greater peace and clarity in the present moment. Then, we can steer our minds away from the habitual patterns that have led us astray.

By bringing awareness to our thoughts, we regain the reins from the unruly driver guiding us down the same old paths. This retraining of the mind allows us to witness the nature of our thoughts with greater clarity and objectivity, no longer leaving them unattended to wreak havoc on our mental health.

Although these thoughts may still have a strong influence on us, through consistent effort and practice, their hold on our minds and hearts will lessen. As we develop our consciousness, we will notice a shift in our automatic patterns, moving from reactive responses to more intentional and thoughtful ones.

In the beautiful and timeless Zen parable known as The Burden, we are reminded of the power of letting go. The story tells of two monks who, on their way back to the monastery one rainy evening across waterlogged roads, came across a woman stranded by pools of rainwater. Without hesitation, the elder of the two monks picked her up, carried her across the river, and continued on his way.

Later that evening, the younger monk approaches the elder, questioning the act. "Sir," he says, "as monks, we are forbidden to touch women. So why did you lift her?" To this, the elderly monk offers a tranquil smile and says, "Yes, my brother, we are indeed forbidden. But tell me, I set her down on the other side of the river; why are you still carrying her in your heart and mind?"

This poignant tale reminds us that many of us carry burdens from our past, often without even realizing it. It might be a past argument that still lingers in our thoughts, a mistake that we continue to berate ourselves over, or an upsetting event that we simply can't let go of. These burdens weigh us down, sapping our energy and preventing us from fully experiencing the present moment.

But what if we were to put down these burdens, even just for a moment? What would it feel like to release the weight of our past and embrace the freedom of the present? The story of the two monks reminds us that we have the power to let go of our burdens and find peace in the here and now.

Through the story of an older woman who carried two pots across her neck, one perfect and the other with a crack, we are reminded that even within our imperfections, there is a blessing in disguise.

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hanging on the ends of a pole she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered an entire portion of water. The cracked pot arrived only half full at the end of the long walk from the stream to the house. 

For two years, this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its imperfection and miserable that it couldn't serve its purpose fully.

This tale serves as a poignant reminder that within our perceived limitations, there exists a hidden splendor. Despite its initial belief of being a failure, the cracked pot brought forth a different kind of beauty. Without its imperfection, the table would have lacked the elegance and charm that the flowers brought. Much like the cracked pot, our limitations, and imperfections may lead us down a different path, but they can also unveil something truly exquisite that we might have otherwise overlooked.

Warmly,

Anny

(The two last images are from Pixabay)

Kindly note: The information included in this blog is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for mental health services. Please consult with a qualified professional to determine the appropriateness of the information for your own life experiences or if you have any questions.