It tells an ancient Zen story that a teacher had a duty to train two young disciples, both very good apprentices, altruistic and disciplined, who wanted to evolve and become equal teachers. Every day, they did their best to achieve their goal.
The teacher tried to teach them, mainly, detachment. For Zen philosophy, attachments are the main source of suffering. Letting go, letting go and dropping are very important goals in this philosophy. The path of detachment is the way to peace, and it is the essential component of happiness.
“The law of talent, like that of true happiness, is selflessness. “- José Martin-
The Zen story tells that the two young men tried, by all means, to rely less and less on things and people, ate only what was necessary and even fasted several days with great joy, their clothes were humble. The room was very clean and comfortable. None of this seemed to be a sacrifice, as his goal was to evolve.
One day, the teacher asked the two disciples to accompany him to bring food to a nearby village, which was very poor, the Zen story says that they both accepted with great enthusiasm, even offered to carry heavy baskets, when they arrived they shared the food with humility and attitude of service, they were happy to be able to help others.
Upon returning, the Zen master asked them to walk through the forest near the monastery, it was early and they could contemplate the beauty of the flowers, the sky and the animals, and the river was very close. Do you want more happiness than drinking your crystal clear water?
The three walked in complete silence for a long time, all enjoyed the touch of the sun and wind, also inspired the aroma of the plants and heard the birds singing, after a while they reached the river. They never imagined what they would see there: a beautiful woman who smiled at them.
The two young monks were surprised by the beauty of this strange woman, she was the most beautiful they had ever seen. They were very nervous and began to walk shyly first and nervously afterwards. They both stumbled. They completely forgot what they were doing and only had eyes for it.
The woman smiles provocatively at their embarrassment, then in a seductive voice she asks them for a favor: to help her cross the river. One of the young men rushes to help him, he takes her in his arms while giving him a hinted look. The young monk smiled. He then left the woman by the river and returned to meet the teacher and his companion, whom he had left behind.
The teacher looked deeply at the young man, and then they all continued. The other monk remained expectant. He looked at the teacher and looked at his companion, pinched his lips, but said nothing, so they arrived at the monastery.
Days passed and the monk kept waiting. I didn’t understand how the teacher was silent about everything he had seen as an affront, how was it possible for the other monk to give in to the woman’s charms and prefer to help her first, rather than the teacher?Just thinking about it, it was already full of anger.
The other monk was very calm. He continued his usual routine and did not even notice the wrath of his companion, his relationship with the teacher remained normal and he never referred to the episode with the beautiful woman again, his companion began to hold a silent grudge that did not leave him alone. One day he couldn’t do it anymore and decided to complain to the teacher.
“How is it possible that you didn’t tell him anything, who stood us by the river as we provocatively crossed a stranger?Why don’t you disapprove of your selfishness and lack of consideration?Why not blame him for giving in to lust? he says.
The teacher looked at him silently for a long time, then said a phrase that the monk will never forget and that was forever recorded in this Zen story. He said, “His companion took the woman in his arms, helped her cross the river, and left her there. On the other hand, you haven’t been able to get rid of him, her or the river, so far.