Taoist Parable on Letting Go

This is my favorite Taoist parable.

Two monks are going for a walk. They come to a river. There is a woman wanting to cross the river but she can’t wade across like they can. The elder monk picks up the woman, carries her across the river and puts her down on the other side.

The two monks continue their walk. After an hour, the visibly agitated younger monk says to his elder, “Brother, how could you have done that? You picked up a woman and carried her across the river. We are not permitted to touch a woman. You violated our vows!”

“Ah, but Brother, I put her down on the other side of the river. You are still carrying her,” the elder monk said.

Have a wonderful weekend and remember not to carry unwanted thoughts. Put them down on the other side of the river and move on!