Sometimes we complicate our life by thinking and doing too much. When we allow ourselves time to be still and listen, we realise how quickly our problems and stress can resolve.
Peace of mind
Buddha was walking from one town to another with a few of his followers. While they were travelling, they happened to pass a lake. They stopped there and Buddha told one of his disciples, ”I am thirsty, please fetch me some water from the lake.”
The disciple walked up to the lake. When he reached it, he noticed that some people were washing clothes in the water and, right at that moment, a bullock cart started crossing through the lake. As a result, the water became very muddy and very turbid. The disciple thought, how can I give this muddy water to Buddha to drink! So he came back and told Buddha, ”The water is very muddy, I dont think it is fit for you to drink.”
After about half an hour, Buddha again asked the same disciple to go back to the lake and get him some water to drink. The disciple obediently went back to the lake. This time he found that the lake had clear water in it. The mud had settled down and the water above looked clean. So he collected some water in a pot and brought it to Buddha.
Buddha looked at the water, and then he looked up at the disciple and said, ”See what you did to make the water clear, you let it be … and the mud settled down on its own.” Our mind is also like that. When it is disturbed, and busy, we must let it be. Give it a little time and patience. It will settle down on its own.
There is peace inside each of us. The more we practice being in the presence of stillness and peace, the more our minds settle and become clear, helping us resolve our situations. Stepping back and waiting patiently in life, we may find our life settles naturally and easily without any effort.
“Be still and find your peace today.”
LIVING IN THIS MOMENT 
I can personally attest to this in a few situations I’ve had in my life Karen. Funny how I forget this at other times and freak out about the muddy water. 😉
Diana xo
Yes so true Diana, we do forget and hopefully overtime, we learn to trust it will happen naturally. 🙂
What a great story. I have never heard it. It is a good parable. Sometimes time really does heal, or clear the waters. Love it. Thanks and Happy Easter.
Thankyou for your comment. It certainly has been true in my life, so often I have jumped in trying to clear it or control it! only to find it cleared naturally without my help! Happy Easter to you. 🙂
Thank you for this post, Karen. Your idea, captured as you have, sparked an answer for me regarding something that’s been an open inquiry for some time now. The answer to my question is to be still and to be myself – from there will come the peace and clarity I seek.Ah…
I am so glad Vicki. Sometimes our answers come when we least expect it, usually when we are not searching or wanting! Have a wonderful day.
🙂 That was good 🙂
Thankyou 🙂
This is very hard for me. I cannot do “nothing”. I have to have my mind occupied. My internet is very, very, very slow. I read while waiting for things to load or I play a computer game. I want to sit and wait, but that monkey chatter in my brain will not let me.
So. This is what I will practice this week. Thank you.
You are not alone in your busyness Emilie. Practice is the only way out and into the peace. Thankyou and have a great day.
Wonderful story.
It is Don, Thankyou.
It always damn murky. Always!
Ok, so what do you need to change in your life, to take you out of the murky? 🙂
Keep reading your blog
Well that’s a start! 🙂
Karen, I like the post and the quote: “Be still and find your peace today.”
In patient stillness we will find the peace that we seek. Stillness blocks out the world, so we know that peace then comes not from the world but from the other-worldly; where God resides.
-Alan
Exactly Alan. Peace is a beautiful place to be in. Thankyou 🙂
Beautiful story Karen!
Thankyou Mary, it is a great reminder to us all.
Karen I really needed this one today, after feeling guilty because I am not writing, sketching or doing anything. I am just enjoying doing nothing but hang with my family. Maybe tomorrow the art will flow.
I think it is important to “just be” at times too Kath. It helps rejuvenate us and I find I am more creative and motivated in my writing after I do. It’s good for the kids too. Have a good holiday with them 🙂
I agree Karen. Happy holidays to you, the rain has finally gone down south.
Patience … cruel but always hands out the best gifts. 😀
That could be a quote Rommel! Well said. Have a great weekend 😏
I wandered upon your post today and it was just what I needed. Thanks.
Nice to have you here 🙏🏻