The Lesson of the Young River In contemplating a title for this writing I was undecided over the many possibilities. This story was inspired and influenced by the writings and storytelling of Thich Nhat Hanh. It covers the nature of impermanence and change. It talks about loss, pain and sorrow. It speaks of the subtle wonders of this life and the beauty waiting to be seen when one lets go of attachment and is mindful of the present moment. Of the many possibilities, I chose the above title since it is the young river’s story, the young river that is enlightened, and the young river that seeks to enlighten us with its lesson. Once upon a time, long, long ago a river was born at the top of snow covered mountains. It was a little stream at birth, but grew into a young river as the snow from the mountains melted. It was happy and joyful in its childhood. It was happy in the present moment enjoying the experience of life and excited to be what it was, excited to be a young river. The more the snow melted the faster it ran. At first it delighted in running just for the sake of running and seeing the scenery, but one-day it thought it must have a purpose in running and decided that its purpose was to reach the ocean. From then on it didn’t enjoy the beauty of life that was all around it. It felt that happiness would come when it reached its destination. It became anxious and irritated when anything would slow it down. Happiness is in the future, it cried as it pushed its way toward the ocean. Happiness is in the destination it tried to convince itself. But the young river was dependent on the melting snow and the highs and lows of the terrain for its rush to the ocean, and one day as it was carving its life into the landscape it began to slow down. There was no more snow this season to melt and push the young river toward the ocean. It became still. It was sad and depressed. It felt like life was not worth living. It wanted to die. But a strange thing happened to it, something that had never happened to it before. It was forced by circumstance to be with itself, to look deep within. It didn’t like this feeling; it was painful and seemed to lack any purpose at all. Yet it became more and more still until one day it noticed something in the still reflection of its water. Clouds, big beautiful, puffy clouds were dancing on its calm waters. It was excited and felt happy. It loved the clouds and felt worthwhile because the clouds played and danced on its water. The young river felt he had found true happiness and love. He tried to capture the clouds and never let them go. But clouds run with the wind and they played on the water and then ran away. A new cloud would come and this love affair would continue until it too would disappear. The young river’s one consolation was that a new cloud seemed to always appear just as the other was leaving. Then it happened. The young river awoke one morning to a strong wind that made the clouds run faster and faster. Finally the strong wind blew all the clouds away. He waited in vain for more clouds but there was nothing but empty sky. The young river fell into a deep depression. What more could this life ask of him. He had given up his dream of future happiness and running to the ocean. He found joy and love in the dancing clouds and now they were gone. He knew he would never be happy again. He felt the pain and helplessness once again. He felt hopeless in his situation. He became still once again. Even more still than he had been the first time. In this stillness he once again had to look within. Once again he felt alone with himself. Once again in his stillness new wonders were revealed. In his darkest hour, in an empty sky without any clouds, a beautiful, big, round full moon appeared in his waters. He enjoyed its brightness and warmth. He didn’t try to capture the moon as he had tried to capture the clouds. He enjoyed their moments together, knowing they were sacred, knowing they were impermanent, knowing they were meant to be experienced and not held hostage. The moon too disappeared after some time. But the young river still felt warm and happy and loved in its absence. He had the realization that there is really no separation. He had the realization that he was a part of the clouds and the moon and the melting snow and the landscape where he carved his life. They would not be if it weren’t for him, and he would not be without them. He realized he was water and water comes from clouds. The young river recognized that the clouds could not leave him, for he was made of clouds. He now knew he was more than just a river, he was a part of everything. Whether he was running or standing still, life presented itself to him. He now understands that it is up to him to see meaning and purpose in all things. He now understands that experiencing the moment presents new gifts and wonders. He now understands the importance of impermanence. If the snow didn’t melt he would not be a river. If he had not become still he would never have seen the clouds. If the clouds had not disappeared he would never have met the moon. And if all these things had never happened, if things never changed, he would never have been enlightened. As the seasons change, the snow once again falls on the mountains. The snow melts and pushes the young river toward the sea. The young river still has the dream of reaching the ocean. He never gives up his dream. But now he realizes that the journey is the destination. He realizes that life is not a destination, life is a way. And now whether running or being still, he waves to the passing clouds and smiles at the moon and walks hand in hand with all of life, a part of it all, in the realization and experience of the present moment. Charlie Hale 3/12/2000
Posted on: Thu, 03 Apr 2014 19:34:42 +0000
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