Fear

I am always amazed by how we can worry about things and they never come to pass. I am also one who has to constantly keep my life in order to avoid reckless living and thus eliminate most of my worry. I am reminded of a story, I think told by Jack Kornfield, my favorite Buddhist writer. It goes as follows-A monk was on a long journey by himself and he came to a swollen, raging river. After thinking the situation out, he built a strong raft and crossed the river. He got to the other side and rested from the crossing. After his rest he picked up the raft and began on his journey with the raft on his back. The wood was heavy and waterlogged. His progress through the countryside slowed and he had to rest often from exhaustion. Eventually he collapsed and died of exhaustion with the raft on his back. The monk had no map with him and just had basic provisions to get to his destination. He died of exhaustion with a raft on his back-for fear that he would need to cross another flooded river. He did not even know if there was another river to cross.

When we cling to things we get burned, when we let go we are free. The monk let his fear of crossing another river take him down. We all face our raging rivers and many we have to cross alone. Can we let go of what we worry about and cannot see and go lightly on our journey? Can we apply skills that allow us to understand that we can build another raft or there will be a bridge ahead- rather than die of exhaustion from being burdened. I know that conflict and major challenges await. I can take a breath and face them head on or I can worry, bury my head in the sand or cling to what makes me happy- it might just be exhaustion from toting my rafts of worry. Suffering is optional in life-easy to understand and so, so much harder to apply.