Have you ever thought about what you’re still carrying from your past? Whether it’s a hurtful experience, a difficult relationship, or even just old habits like self-criticism or blame, we all tend to hold onto things long after they’ve served their purpose. As Thai master Ajahn Cha beautifully put it, “If you let go a little, you’ll find a little peace. If you let go a lot, you’ll find a lot of peace. And if you let go absolutely, you’ll find absolute peace and tranquility.”
Just last week, I bumped into a dear student I hadn’t seen in ages. She shared how her life felt miserable, largely because of an abusive father. It was clear to me that the real source of her pain wasn’t just her father—it was the inability to let go of what had already happened. And isn’t that something we all struggle with, in one way or another?
This reminds me of a Zen story that perfectly captures the power of letting go.
Two monks were on a pilgrimage. After weeks of travel, they found themselves caught in a massive storm, which left the rivers swollen and all the bridges washed away. As they approached a particularly wide river, they saw a woman standing helplessly by one of the broken bridges.
The younger monk stepped into the stream and splashed across without giving her a second thought. But the older monk paused, bowed to the woman, and offered to carry her across on his back. She accepted, and he gently carried her over to the other side, setting her down once they crossed.
As they continued their journey, the younger monk fumed in silence. His jaw clenched, his fists tight, until he couldn’t hold it in any longer. “How could you do that?” he blurted out, clearly outraged. “You know it’s forbidden for monks to touch a woman, let alone carry her!”
The older monk smiled calmly and said, “Brother, I set her down a long time ago. Why are you still carrying her?”
The lesson is clear. Most of what we carry—resentment, anger, fear—holds no real weight, but it feels as if it’s weighing us down. We are meant to carry only the present moment, yet we often hold onto things from the past that keep us from moving forward.
So, the question for you is this: What are you still carrying? And, perhaps more importantly—why are you still carrying it?
I’d love to hear what this brings up for you. If you feel like sharing, tell me one thing you’d like to let go of.
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