On their journey one morning, a monk and one of his young disciples arrived on the banks of a river. As they were about to cross, they saw a young woman struggling in the water. The monk held her by the arm and helped her cross the river. Afterwards, they parted ways. Travelling for most of the day, the duo halted at a monastery at sunset. Noticing his disciple’s dejection, the monk asked what had been troubling him since that morning. The young disciple exclaimed, ‘Master, this morning, you-a revered monk-held a woman by the arm while crossing the river. And not just any woman, but a young and beautiful one! Isn’t that a violation of our sacred precepts?’
‘I left her, then and there, on the other side of the river. And you are still carrying her.’ said the monk dispassionately. The initiate had understood the message. Nothing of value can be imparted to a mind already fraught with doubts. Neither the recipient nor the giver shall put precious stuff in a container filled with trash. The seeker will first clear it to make way for essentials.
Further, inputs fed into the mind determine outcomes. Just as the body absorbs what we eat and drink, so does mind with thoughts it encounters. It is wise to be selective about what we consume. Once a choice is made, the mind naturally delves deeper in that direction.
