Communication breakdown

Somehow people will have communication breakdown and ruin their relationship with one another. As long as one side refuses to back down, there is no way of reconcilation. I think people should try to forgive others and their lives will be easier. In fact there are many people in my lives whom I think have taken advantage of me but somehow I choose to treat the experiences as lessons and forgive them. Dwelling on the past is no good for us. Letting go and you will have a better life. When I think negative thoughts, I will remember the story of 2 monks.

Once there were 2 monks. A Abbot and his disciple. One day they went out to ask for alms and they met a beautiful lady by the river. The lady was fretting how to cross the river even though it was just a shallow river. She was afraid of wetting her shoes. She asked if the 2 monks can help her to cross the river. The disciple thought due to modesty reason, the answer is no but the abbot told the lady he would carry her across. And so he did- piggy back the lady over.

When they were at the other side of the river, the lady said her thanks and they parted. The abbot was surprised to find his usual chatty disciple keeping his mouth shut. Guess what? The disciple was brooding why his master took advantage of the lady even though they were supposed to be "free from all desires". "nan2 nu3 shou4 shou4 bu4 qin1" the abbot had done a most sinful thing.

From that day onwards, the young disciple kept to himself. One month later, he finally broke his silence and confronted his master of his behaviour last month.

The abbot needed some time to recall what had happened. He let out a laugh and said," On that day, I only see a person in need. To me that is only a good deed. When I say good bye to the lady She was just a soul that need assistance in my memory and I have no recollection of the event until you mention it.

You on the other hand had carried the burden for a whole month. That must be really hard on you. It was no wonder you can;t eat or sleep well for the past month."

You can never believe in others or their abilities if you don;t trust them.

Try trusting others and many good things will come your way.