A Zen-Inspired Story by Dr. Zeal Okogeri
Two monks were traveling together along a quiet road after days of heavy rain. The path was muddy, and the rivers they crossed were swollen from the storm.
As they approached a river, they saw a young woman standing at the edge. The current was strong, and she was afraid to cross because she might fall into the rushing water.
The older monk looked at her with compassion and said, “I will help you.”
He gently lifted her onto his back and carefully carried her across the river. Once they reached the other side, he placed her safely on the ground. The woman bowed with gratitude, and the two monks continued their journey.
Hours passed as they walked in silence.
The younger monk grew increasingly troubled. Finally, he could no longer hold back his thoughts.
“Brother,” he said, “how could you do that? We monks are not supposed to touch women. You carried her on your back.”
The older monk smiled and replied:
“Yes, I carried her across the river. But I put her down hours ago. Why are you still carrying her?”
The younger monk stopped walking.
In that moment, he understood.
The older monk had carried the woman for only a few minutes because compassion called for action. But the younger monk had been carrying judgment, worry, and attachment for hours.
Spiritual Insight
Many of us carry things long after the moment has passed.
We carry words someone said to us years ago.
We carry mistakes we have already learned from.
We carry anger, resentment, disappointment, and memories that continue to weigh upon our hearts.
The burden is not always what happened. Often, the burden is our attachment to what happened.
The older monk responded to the present moment with compassion and then let go. He did not allow the experience to become a burden.
True peace comes when we learn the art of releasing what no longer belongs in our hearts.
Ask yourself:
What am I still carrying that I need to put down?
The past cannot be changed, but the weight we carry from the past can be released.
The river has already been crossed.
Now, walk forward with a peaceful heart.
About the Author
Dr. Zeal Okogeri is a spiritual teacher, storyteller, and author who continues the timeless tradition of using stories to awaken the heart and reveal life’s deepest truths. Like the great wisdom teachers throughout history, he conveys spiritual principles not through lectures or rigid instruction, but through timeless stories that invite reflection, contemplation, and personal discovery.
Rather than telling readers what to believe, Dr. Zeal trusts each person to discern truth through the wisdom found within every story. His writings gently encourage the cultivation of kindness, love, peace, compassion, and the inner wisdom that transforms lives.
Dr. Zeal is the author of You Can Never Go Wrong By Being Kind. Through his books, guided meditations, retreats, and spiritual teachings, he inspires people to look within, awaken to their true nature, and live with greater love, peace, and purpose.
To explore more of his work and guided meditations, visit DrZeal.org
“The deepest truths are rarely taught. They are discovered.”