Problem solving story: Sometimes you just need to let it be for a moment

Once upon a time, a wise monk was traveling from one town to another with a few of his fellow monks. They walked through fields, forests, and hills, speaking little but appreciating the journey in quiet contemplation. As they traveled under the warmth of the midday sun, they came upon a lake. Seeing the water shimmer in the light, the monk felt thirsty and turned to one of his companions. “I am thirsty,” he said. “Would you please fetch me some water from the lake?” The younger monk nodded and set off toward the lake. As he neared the water’s edge, he noticed that several people were washing their clothes, scrubbing and rinsing them with vigor. Just as he was about to fill his pot, a bullock cart rumbled through the shallows, stirring up the mud from the lakebed. The once-clear water became cloudy and thick with dirt. The young monk hesitated, staring at the murky water. “How can I take this back for my teacher to drink?” he thought. Disappointed, he returned to the monk and said, “The water is too muddy. It is not fit for drinking.” The monk nodded calmly. “Very well,” he said. “Let us sit here for a while and rest beneath this tree.”

The monks sat together under the shade of a large tree, listening to the rustling leaves and the distant sounds of the lake. They waited in silence, enjoying the stillness of the moment. Time passed slowly, but the wise monk remained patient. After about half an hour, the monk turned once more to the young monk. “Please, go back to the lake and see if you can bring me some water now.” The young monk obeyed and walked back to the lake. This time, he found that the water was clear. The mud had settled, and the surface reflected the sky like a polished mirror. Smiling, he filled the pot with fresh, cool water and returned to his teacher. The monk took the pot, examined the clear water, and then looked at his student with a knowing smile. “Do you see?” he said. “You let the water be, and the mud settled on its own. You did not have to stir it or struggle against it. All it needed was time to become clear.” The young monk listened intently as his teacher continued. “The same is true for our minds. When we are troubled, upset, or confused, our thoughts become like that muddy water, restless and unclear. If we react too quickly or try to force clarity, we only stir things up further. But if we take a moment to pause, to be still, everything settles on its own, and we can see things clearly.”