01/02/2023
Release the Past
The inability or unwillingness of the human mind to let go of, or release the past, is beautifully illustrated in the story of two Zen monks, Tanzan and Ekido(1), who were walking along a country road that had become extremely muddy.
Near a village, they came upon a young woman who was trying to cross the road, but the mud was so deep it would have ruined the silk kimono she was wearing. Tanzan at once picked her up and carried her to the other side.
The monks walked on in silence. Five hours later, as they were approaching the lodging temple, Ekido couldn't restrain himself any longer. “Why did you carry that girl across the road?” he asked. “We monks are not supposed to do things like that.”
“I put the girl down hours ago,” said Tanzan. “Are you still carrying her?”
Our memories in and of themselves are not a problem. It is through memory that we learn from the past and from our mistakes. It is only when our thoughts about the past take us over completely that they turn into a burden and become part of your sense of self.
Most of us carry a large amount of unnecessary mental and emotional baggage, throughout our lives. We limit ourselves by emotions such as grievances, regret, hostility, guilt, fear, shame etc.
We need to refrain from mentally dwelling on the past, and return our attention continuously to the now, the present moment. This is where neither our past nor future has any power. Our very Presence then becomes our identity, rather than our thoughts and emotions.
Remember, there is only Now - so release the past!
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1. Ekhart Tolle, 'A New Earth', Ch 5, pp 85-87
