“An old monk and a young monk were walking through a forest when they came to a river bank and saw a beautiful young woman standing at the edge of the bank.

The woman told the monks that she was afraid to cross the river because she might slip and be carried downstream. She asked if one of the monks might help her across.

Now it so happened that these 2 monks were members of a sect which practiced celibacy and they had both taken vows never to touch a member of the opposite sex. But the old monk, sensing the extreme anxiety of the young woman, lifted her onto his back and carried her to the other side of the river.

The young woman thanked him and went on her way. The 2 monks continued on their journey, but the young monk was shocked and disturbed at having seen his older companion break his vow so nonchalantly. Finally, after 3 hours of walking and thinking, he could contain himself no longer and he burst out, “Tell me, old man, what did it feel like to break your vow of so many years? What did it feel like to allow sensuality to tempt you from your spiritual path? What did it feel like to have her smooth warm thighs wrapped around your waist, her breasts brushing against your back, her arms around your neck and her soft cheek almost one with your own? Tell me, old man, what is it like to carry such a beautiful young woman?”

The older monk remained silent for several steps and then said, “It is you who should tell me what it is like to carry such a beautiful young woman. You see I put her down 3 hours ago at the river, but you are still carrying her.”

What a brilliant quote. It doesn’t get any truer that that!

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I’m not so sure. I don’t think they are mutually exclusive. In other words, one need not be bitter, just because they haven’t forgiven. One need not self sabotage themselves on account of them not having forgiven the guilty party! I think such a presumption of this being the case is not true.

I believe one can take the position of not forgiving, and yet still maintain inner peace (wouldn’t that be the ideal if the guilty party shows no remorse?). I don’t think forgiving a party that does not deserve it is a prerequisite to having inner stillness. I do, however, think it may be a betrayal of ones intellect and values to forgive someone who is not deserving of it. Just my thoughts on the matter.

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@Bamboo: I agree, it’s difficult to forgive those who show no guilt, regret or remorse. And doesn’t make sense as well.

However, till we don’t forgive, we keep the pain alive within us. We forgive to get over that pain, let go of past and move on with our lives. We don’t do it for those who give us pain, we do it for ourselves.

To forgive someone who has no guilt, no remorse and no regret for what they committed does not sound enlightened to me. But hey, I’m just one man with one man’s opinion. It’s a worthwhile subject to ponder, and I appreciate you bringing it to light.

Thank you for the very interesting post.

- Bamboo Forest

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