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 Dr. Zeal Okogeri
Dr. Zeal Okogeri is a spiritual guide and mentor who helps individuals grow through emotional healing, spiritual transition, and personal transformation. His work centers on clarity, compassion, and practical spiritual growth.
He is the author of You Can Never Go Wrong By Being Kind and is a gifted storyteller who makes spiritual lessons simple, relatable, and meaningful.
In addition to one on one mentoring, he offers guided meditation audios, transformational courses, and retreats designed to support deeper healing and inner grounding.
If you are seeking guidance, clarity, or personal growth, you are invited to explore the resources available at DrZeal.org or begin with a private consultation.
You do not need to have everything figured out. You simply need openness.