Sometimes Just Let It Be

Long ago, Buddha walked from one town to another with a few of his friends. The sun was warm, and the road felt long. When they reached a lake, Buddha said, “I am thirsty. Please bring me some water.”

One disciple hurried to the lake. But people were washing clothes there, and a cart rolled through the shallow edge. The water turned brown and muddy.

“I cannot give this water to Buddha,” he thought. So he went back and said, “The water is too muddy to drink.”

Buddha smiled. “Let us rest under this tree.”

After some time, Buddha asked again, “Please bring water from the lake.”

This time, the disciple found clear, sparkling water. The mud had settled to the bottom all by itself. He filled a pot and brought it back.

Buddha looked at the clear water and said, “See? You let the water be. The mud settled on its own. You did not need to stir or fight it.”

The disciple understood. A busy mind is like muddy water. If we wait with kindness and patience, it can grow calm again.

Moral

When your mind feels upset, give it a little time. Stay calm. Clear thoughts return on their own—and then you can make better choices.