The following story illustrates the trap of clinging or failing to “let go.”
Two Zen monks were walking along a road and they encountered a beautiful young woman blocked in her path by a rain-swollen stream. The older monk, after asking her permission, sweeps her up in his arms and carries her across the stream while the young monk watches disapprovingly.
The two monks continue their journey and after a few hours of walking in silence, the young monk, failing to hide his anger finally bursts forth with: “Why did you do that? You know that we are not supposed to touch women.”
“My good friend,” replied the older monk, “I put the woman down hours ago, why are you still carrying her?”
