The Monk and the Lady
Two monks were returning to their abode through a forest, discussing all that they had learned in the monastery. The older monk listened sagely while the younger one seemed all charged about following each principle and never steeping into the material realm of existence.
As they walked along, they came to a river which was quite turbulent due to the stormy weather. The whole area was deserted. As they were about to pass through, they saw a beautiful young woman, who seemed worried and nervous.
“It is late and I have no way of going to the other shore. Can you carry me across?” she asked, anxiously. The younger monk hesitated, but the older one picked her up without hesitation, put her onto his shoulder and carried her across the water to the other bank. She thanked him profusely and departed.
As the monks continued on their way, the younger one was brooding and preoccupied. After a while, unable to hold his silence, he spoke out, “Brother, how could you pick up that woman? Our spiritual training teaches us to avoid any contact with women, but you picked her up on your shoulders and carried her!”
“Brother,” the older monk replied camly, “the moment I crossed the river, I set her down on the ground on the other side. You, on the other hand, are still carrying her!”
Source: Zen Fable
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COMMENT
What are you carrying in your mind all day? There is no point moving away physically from temptation or sense objects if the mind still has cravings for them. Detachment is the key to peace and happiness. But the sort that comes from wisdom and sincerity.