Five Monks Journey - Distraction and Destination

There is a story about five monks who went on a journey together. Along the way, they encountered a river they needed to cross. As they were preparing to cross, they noticed a beautiful woman who was also trying to cross but was unable to do so because she was afraid of the water. Without hesitation, one of the monks offered to carry the woman across the river on his back. The woman was grateful and the monks continued on their journey. As they walked, the four other monks started to criticize the one who had carried the woman, saying that it was against their monastic vows to have physical contact with women. The monk who had carried the woman listened to their criticism and remained silent. Hours later, as they reached their destination for the day, the monk who had carried the woman turned to his fellow monks and said, "I put the woman down hours ago. Why are you still carrying her?" This story illustrates how distraction and attachment can prevent us from reaching our destination. The four other monks were so caught up in their criticism of the one who had carried the woman that they were unable to let go of the incident and move on. They were carrying the weight of their judgment with them, just as the monk who had carried the woman had put her down but was still carrying the weight of his fellow monks' criticism. In our own lives, we may encounter distractions or attachments that prevent us from reaching our goals or finding inner peace. We may hold on to grudges, resentments, or regrets, and these negative emotions can weigh us down and prevent us from moving forward. Through mindfulness and self-awareness, we can learn to recognize when we are carrying unnecessary baggage and let go of it, allowing us to move forward with greater clarity and ease. https://diversionedge.com/category/story/