One Apple A Day #694 - the crazy fly
Sometimes my mind is like a fly trapped in a room. Buzzing around frantically, hitting all surfaces with the hope to find a way out.
Why don't you just stop and look around? The window's half-open. If you stop and observe for a second, you would see the way out immediately.
This morning is one of those times. My mind is flying everywhere, relentless bouncing on old and new thoughts.
Then I picked a card saying "engaging and freeing all the energy". There's the drawing of a cage with the door open and a bird flying out.
Again. The same card as yesterday morning.
What does all this mean?
Where am I trapped?
What is my cage?
How do I get out?
Ah, the crazy fly is back again.
Wait a moment.
What about that zen story that a friend told me yesterday?
A senior and a junior monk were travelling together. On their journey, they came to a river with a strong current. They were preparing to cross it when they noticed a young and beautiful woman. She too wanted to cross the river, so she asked if they could help her get to the other side.
The two monks glanced at one another. They had taken vows not to touch a woman, how can they help?
Then, without a word, the older monk picked up the woman, and carrying her on his shoulders, he crossed the river. He placed her gently on the other side and then proceed on his journey. All without talking.
The younger monk was upset. He couldn't believe what had just happened. He was speechless, and for the following hours, they didn't share a word.
After three hours, the younger monk could contain his anger anymore and lashed out. "You know that we are not permitted a woman, how could you then carry that woman on your shoulders?"
The older monk looked at him and replied, "Brother, I set her down on the other side of the river, why are you still carrying her?"