Two monks and a beautiful woman

Two monks were wandering through the forest when they came upon a beautiful courtesan standing on the banks of a flooded stream. Because they had sworn a vow of chastity, the younger monk ignored the woman and crossed the stream quickly.
Realising that the beautiful woman could not safely cross the stream by herself, the older monk gathered her up in his arms and carried her across the stream. Once they had reached the other side, he gently returned her to the ground. She smiled her thanks, and the two monks continued on their way.

The young monk quietly seethed as he replayed the incident again and again in his own mind. How could he? The young monk thought angrily to himself. Does our vow of chastity mean nothing to him? The more the young monk thought about what he had seen, the angrier he became, and the argument in his head grew louder: Why, had I done such a thing I would have been thrown out of our order. This is disgusting. I may not have been a monk as long as he has, but I know right from wrong.

He looked over at the older monk to see if he at least was showing remorse for what he had done, but the man seemed as serene and peaceful as ever. Finally, the young monk could stand it no longer. ‘How could you do that?’ he demanded. ‘How could you even look at that woman, let alone pick her up and carry her? Do you remember your vow of chastity?’

The older monk looked surprised, and then smiled with great kindness in his eyes.

‘I am no longer carrying her, brother. Are you?'

The story has made me think about all the unnecessary things I am carrying with me. How about you?

Taken from- Paul McKenna (2004), Change Your Life in 7 Days, Bantham Press, London, pp. 51-2.