Letting Go: What Are You Carrying?

“I am letting go of that,” Powerful – especially when you can really mean it – actually do it.  I first heard this story in Eckhart Tolle’s The New Earth.

Two monks were journeying together.  At one point, their path encountered a stream with a swift current. On their bank was also a troubled young and beautiful woman dressed in fine silks. She clearly knew not to ask the monks for help, yet she was distressed about how to cross the stream without soiling her clothing.

The two monks glanced at each other briefly.  It would mean breaking their vows to touch a woman.

In a swift motion, the older monk picked up the young woman, carried her across. and set her down on the other side.

The younger monk was stupefied.  He couldn’t believe this older monk had just done this.  Didn’t the older and more senior monk remember his vows? Their centuries-old customs? Stunned and indignant, he walked on in silence as an hour passed.

Two hours passed. After three hours, finally, the younger monk, too agitated to remain silent any longer, exclaimed, “How could you pick up the young woman? You know that we are not permitted to touch a woman!”

The senior monk stopped and looked at the junior monk and said, “My friend, I put the young woman down hours ago. Are you still carrying her?”

Often, I become aware that some unhelpful story loop is going around in my mind (i.e., the story contains judgement, perseverating, or is causing anxiety).

Often, I become aware that some unhelpful story loop is going around in my mind (i.e., the story contains judgement, perseverating, or is causing anxiety). If I am practicing being mindful, that unhelpful story loop might be interrupted with,  “Are you still carrying her?” That question reminds me that I have a choice. So did the junior monk. So, too, did the senior monk.

The message in the vignette above is could ultimately be about letting go and continuing unencumbered on your journey.

However, there is much subtle wisdom in this story:

• Chose humbleness and grace over your convictions.
• Righteousness and indignation block elevating to a more open-hearted, more unconditionally loving place.
• Rigidity can stand in the way of offering true compassion and grace.
• Let go of past actions so that today’s progress is not impeded.
• Stewing on the actions and decisions (of others and self) could mean an unpleasant journey to your destination.

Are their other bits of wisdom from the story? What speaks to you the most?

Is there an aspect of the story you did not consider at first?

I invite you to look at where you know you hold on to something that is impeding your progress in the present.  When you have a practice of watching the mind, it can be a powerful starting point to stop the unhelpful thought patterns in their tracks.  It is not always easy to do – I totally understand and honor that because I have been there.

With the right support and a substantive quantity and quality of energy in your physical body, you can “set her down safely on the other side of the stream” and continue on your journey.

What would it mean for your ability to enjoy life, to heal, to manage stress if you could let go of some story loop?

I invite you to schedule a Discovery Session with me to discover and articulate what your vision and goals are for your life and to consider what might be getting in your way. We can meet in person (Raleigh area if available) or talk over the phone.  You don’t need to be local to participate in my programs and packages.  If you can’t find a time that works, let me know.