THE TWO MONKS

‘Two Monks were wandering through the forest when they came upon a beautiful courtesan standing on the banks of a flooded stream. Because they had sworn a vow of chastity, the younger monk ignored the woman and crossed the stream quickly.
Realizing that the beautiful woman could not cross the stream by herself, the older monk gathered her up in his arms and carried her across the stream. Once they had reached the other side, he gently returned her to the ground. She smiled her thanks and the two monks continued on their way.
The young monk quietly seethed as he replayed the incident again and again in his own mind.
How could he?? The young monk thought angrily to himself. Does our vow of chastity mean nothing to him? The more the young monk thought about what he had seen, the angrier he became, and the argument in his head grew louder. Why, had i done such a thing i would have been thrown out of our order. This is disgusting. I may not have been a monk as long as he has, but i know right from wrong.
He looked over at the older monk to see if he atleast was showing remorse for what he had done, but the man seemed as serene and peaceful as ever.
Finally, the young monk could stand it no longer.
“How could you do that?” he demanded. “How could you even look at that woman, let alone pick her up and carry her? Do you not remember your vow of chastity?”
The older monk looked surprised, then smiled with great kindness in his eyes and replied:

Before forming an opinion about others, think about the story from his side. Like the two sides of a coin, there might be an angle you cannot see. And if you cannot see it, do not think otherwise about it.

I was just reminded – YOU ARE ENOUGH.

Why to peep here and there and create a cluster in your life, try to sort things with and within yourself. Try to persuade yourself to see what you have ignored for so long. That one little thing which in the past several years has piled up to become many things, those simple wishes which you kept on ignoring, those tiny but important sacrifices you made to make someone smile which is maybe long forgotten now. Focus on how you can become enough for yourself, on how you can make yourself happy because now and forever that is most important.

The young Monk troubled his mind for something which was insignificant, created an opinion, filled his glass of endurance which just made him unhappy but did not affect the older Monk because he had his Peace.

It is that solace which is to be found. No one is responsible for your happiness neither are you . Do not carry anyone’s burden of remorse and make it yours because you are enough for yourself. Enough for all your gloomy and happy times.