In a far away land two monks approach a river.
Standing by the side of the river is a woman. She cannot cross, not wishing to ruin her new clothes in the dirty water.
The older monk offers to carry her over, which he does. He puts her down on the other side, says goodbye and they continue their journey.
But the younger monk is quietly furious. The Order they belong to does not allow them to have contact with women.
They travel on… but unhappily. He cannot forget what the older monk has done and after a week of the matter going round and round in his head he has to speak about it.
‘I can’t understand why you did that!’ he says. ‘We are not to have contact with women!’
‘I put her down at the river bank,’ he replies. ‘You’re still carrying her.’
Sometimes to be free, we need to feel the breeze on our face…and let go of things.
P.S. When done, in celebration, we may also wish to utter Hallelujah!…but this isn’t compulsory.
