CARRYING BAGGAGE
In working through
repetitive conflicts, we begin to see our shadows and old baggage more clearly.
There's an old Zen story that makes this point very well:
It concerns an
interesting "couple," two monks who were walking in silence by a
river at sunrise, early in the spring. Swollen with the melting snows, the
river had overflowed its banks and swamped the small footbridge that was the
only point of crossing for many miles.
A young woman,
in much distress, stood forlornly by the swiftly running river, pleading with
her eyes for the monks' help. Sweeping her into his arms, the older monk bore
her aloft through the swirling current and put her down safely on the other
side. The two monks walked in silence until sunset, when the vows of their
order allowed them to talk.
The younger
monk then turned on his brother with unbridled fury. "How could you have
picked that woman up!" he accused. His face grew red as he shook his fists
at the older monk. "You, of all people, know the vows of our Order. It is
forbidden even to think of a woman, let alone to touch one! You have defiled
yourself. Indeed, you have shamed the entire Order!"
The elder monk turned to him
complacently. "My brother," he said. His eyes were soft with the
wisdom of forgiveness. "I put that woman down on the other side of the
river this morning. It is you who have been carrying her around all day."
(Joan Borysenko)
Home
|
Our Stories
|
The Sublime
|
Our World and Times
|
Book Reviews
|
Marnie's Images
|
The Journal
|
Gleanings
|
From The Writings Of. . .
|
Allegories
|