two monks are on a long journey
they come to a deep river
where they meet a beautiful young woman
who is unable to cross
so the older monk carries her over
on his shoulder
the monks walk on in silence
the younger monk brooding
growing steadily more furious
until after a few miles walking
he blurts out to his elder
“how could you do that
when you know the precepts of our order
forbid us contact with women”
the older monk replies
“I set her down back at the river –
it’s you who have been carrying her with you
for all this time”
which is a reminder that walking and thinking
are different things
the imagination can dominate
any physical experience
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