Several months ago, I came across a simple Zen parable with a beautiful message about living in the moment. So often we carry around past hurts and resentments when the only person we are really hurting is ourselves.

We all go through times in life when other people say things or behave in a way that is hurtful towards us and we just can’t let it go. We wallow in what happened a year ago, a day ago or a minute ago when we feel we were wronged. If you are in a habit of doing this it will ultimately weigh you down and sap your energy.

Alternatively, we can choose to let go of what doesn’t serve us anymore and concentrate on the present moment. Until we can find a level of peace and happiness in the present circumstances of our lives, we will never be content, because ‘now’ is all we will ever have. History is past, future is unknown but what we have right now, is the present.

I had read this parable and tucked it away in my mind bank. One day my husband and I went to the hardware store for some needed items. On the way there, someone had cut in front of our car with my husband driving. He let it take control of him and couldn’t stop talking about it, even repeating it to several people we knew at the hardware store.

I was thinking to myself, “Why are you still talking about it? It’s over”. That was when my stored memory popped up with the parable that I had tucked away months earlier, saving it for when I needed to share it. Here is the parable:

Two Monks and a Woman
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.

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 contain himself any longer, and blurted out “As monks, we are not permitted to touch 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?”

So, live in the present and don’t waste your precious time today worrying about past things you cannot change or worrying about a future that you cannot predict. All you have is now so enjoy every moment.

I have pretty much reached the stage of equanimity* and I’m sure my husband and friends are tired of me saying “it’s over” immediately after something adverse or troubling happens. But I think it’s the only way to live.

*equanimity: mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.