Attachment

The parable of two monks comes to me.  Two monks were on their morning walk of arms, going to the village to receive what food maybe offered.  As the two travelled they were at peace.  It had rained the night before, and as they made their way towards the village, they needed to cross a river that had risen in the overnight downpour.  A women stood fearful on the bank of the river.  She needed to cross, but was afraid of being pulled into the storm waters, as she could not swim.  These monks were celibate and were not permitted to touch a women.  However, one monk felt such compassion for the women he offered to carry her across the river.  The other monk had no wish to break the vow of celibacy, and was offended that his fellow monk would touch this women.  The party made their way safely across the river, and the monk carrying the women, left the most grateful woman on the other side.  As the two monks continued their journey, one monk still was at peace, one monk was angry.  “How dare you touch that women”. The compassionate monk just smiled and said, “I just carried the women across the river, you are still carrying her.”

It is often so true, we become attached to a certain way, and it can throw us off our journey.  Attachment and Non–attachment or Detachment its a journey.  I just had some amazing words come to me “there is no quick fix on the spiritual path, for it is but a journey”.

Food for thought:

Where are you, in your journey?

What have you become attached to, that no longer serves you?

Remember non-attachment doesn’t mean without compassion or wisdom.

Does detachment mean you are not present?

What has been your choice?