Bodhana

Falling into holes

Once there was a man who had much on his mind, so much so that he barely noticed the world around him. As he was walking along one day, he came to a large hole in the path, but being so distracted, he didn't notice it and fell in. Needless to say he was shocked and not a little angry. He climbed out, muttering to himself about the state of the world, and went on his way much as before.

Some time later the same man was walking down the same path, just as distracted, and came to the same hole. Again he fell in. He climbed out, this time feeling rather foolish for having fallen in the same hole twice.

Some time passed and once again he was walking down the same path, lost in thought. On the very edge of the hole, he suddenly awoke from his thoughts but just too late. In he went again.

This went on for some time.

Finally, one day as he walked along, he thought he vaguely recognised the path. Suddenly he found himself on the edge of the hole and stopped just in time. He walked around the hole.

After that he chose a different path.

Adapted from a Buddhist story.

Wolves

Grandfather had suffered a deep betrayal and was in turmoil. His grandson noticed he was troubled and asked:

"What is wrong, Grandfather?"

"There are two wolves fighting inside me," explained Grandfather."One is called Anger, the other is called Forgiveness."

The grandson thought for a moment, then asked:

"And which wolf will win, Grandfather?"

"The one which I feed," replied Grandfather.

Interpretation of a Native American story

The Hen and the Butterfly

One summer’s day I found myself watching a large field of hens roaming free, foraging placidly in the grass. Suddenly, from the top of the field, a grey hen started running at top speed down the field towards me. At first I thought the hen had gone mad. Then I saw that she was chasing a small black butterfly which was flying in front of her, and staying just out of reach. The grey hen went on chasing the black butterfly across the field right up to the fence, where the butterfly flew on and the hen stopped short.
I laughed inside at how stupid hens could be. Then I saw my own reflection - endlessly, mindlessly chasing the unattainable.

We are not so different after all.