THE DAILY SPARK

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Two Monks and a Woman – a Zen Lesson

A senior monk and a junior monk were traveling together. At one point, they came to a river with a strong current. As the monks were preparing to cross the river, they saw a very young and beautiful woman also attempting to cross. The young woman asked if they could help her cross to the other side because she could not navigate the strong current fearing she may drown.

The two monks glanced at one another because they had taken vows not to touch a woman.

Then, without a word, the older monk picked up the woman, carried her across the river, placed her gently on the other side, and carried on his journey.

The younger monk couldn’t believe what had just happened. After rejoining his companion, he was speechless, and an hour passed without a word between them.

Two more hours passed, then three, finally the younger monk could not contain himself any longer, and blurted out “As monks, 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?”

Author unknown but transcribed as a Zen Lesson titled:  Two Monks and A Woman – A Zen Lesson

REFLECTION:

  • What are you carrying that you need to leave behind? 

  •  Examining your life, do you identify more with the senior monk (see thru the lens of humanity … bigger picture) or the junior monk ( follow the rules established by some authority )?

  • Is there a judgment you have that is weighing you down?  How can you let it go?  

WHAT IF??????

Mosaics in the Upper Churcg of the Basilica of the National Shrine of The Immaculate Conception, Washington DC

What if this darkness is not the darkness of the tomb, but the darkness of the womb? What if our America is not dead but a country that is waiting to be born? What if the story of America is one long labor? What if all of our grandfathers and grandmothers are standing behind now, those who survived occupation and genocide, slavery and Jim Crow, detentions and political assault? What if they are whispering in our ears “You are brave”? What if this is our nation’s greatest transition?

What does the midwife tell us to do?  Breathe. And then? Push.  Because if we don’t push we will die.  If we don’t push our nation will die.  Tonight we will breathe.  Tomorrow we will labor in love through love and your revolutionary love is the magic we will show our children. 

Source:  A speech give by Valerie Kaur at an Interfaith Watch Night Service.

To watch the whole speech, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ7QlKG70LE&feature=emb_title

REFLECTION:

  • At this historic time, just reflect on this quote.  What does it mean to you?

  • What  if you (we)  are in a time of birthing?  How can you “breathe and push?”

A NEW VIEW

I was astonished when I began to appreciate my defeats, downturns and disappointments.  As I began to perceive my misfortunes in a brighter light, I had to admit that “good” and “bad” events were getting harder and harder to tell apart.  Lately, it seems that bad things are merely those which I’m not yet prepared to handle effectively – and it also seems that they present themselves in order to help me increase my competence.

From:  A Little Book of Forgiveness by D. Patrick Miller

REFLECTION:

  • Looking back, is there a “bad” thing that occurred that resulted in a new and amazing life change for you?  Write about it.  

  • What is a “bad” thing that is happening now that you can see differently.  Write about it.