Two Monks and the Full Moon

There is an ancient story I heard recently about two monks on a pilgrimage. The short version - as they are walking, they come across a woman who needs help crossing the river. The younger monk turns his back on her as it is forbidden to touch a woman. The elder monk picks her up and carries her across. Once on the other side, the monks continue their long journey. The younger monk berates the elder monk the entire trek. He is so angry the elder monk did not honor their vow. “Why did you do that?!” the younger monk kept repeating angrily. At the end of the day, the elder monk calmly replied, “I let go of her as soon as we crossed the river. Why are you still carrying her?”

Ahh. Perfectly profound timing. My heart pounds with the intensity of a sparking light bulb. Not that I have not understood this lesson in my lifetime, but a reminder I so needed to recall and certainly employ. A nudge by this super full moon we get to experience here soon. Some astrologers share that this is a good time to release what longer serves us. Ahh, yes. That fiery anger and disappointment just searing in my gut. That someone I once admired and with whom I supported professional successes and personal celebrations, just blistering deep. Okay, okay, you’ve got my attention. Yes, yes, yes. I am still allowing my emotions to be bitter and thoughts to be miserly. Shit. So yes, give me the full super moon and let’s do the damn thing. I carry this across the river, set it down on the rugged shore and I am better for not flipping the bird every time I drive by her house (which is every day I leave mine since she’s on my route to anywhere). Now, down my path, continuing my trek.