Letting Go . . .

In Southeast Asia hunters use a clever trap for catching monkeys.  The hunter hollows out a huge pumpkin-like gourd,  leaving the shell intact except for a hole large enough for him to push a banana inside.  When a monkey comes along and discovers the banana, he sticks his hand in the gourd to get it.  As soon as the monkey clutches his hand  around the banana, he is trapped - hand and banana will not fit back through the hole.  The poor monkey seals his own fate because his mind cannot give up the idea of grabbing the fruit.  He can not let go.  The monkey is quite literally a prisoner of his own mind.

Silly isn't it?  All this poor little monkey has to do is let go of the banana and he would be free from this dilemma.  However, he chooses not to.  Why? Because he is not aware that the banana is the source of his problem.  Due to this lack of awareness,  he is imprisoned.

Too often aren't we just like the poor little monkeys holding onto a banana?  We find ourselves imprisoned by addictions, habits, and ill-emotions.   We prefer to place the blame on circumstances or someone else rather than facing the root of the problem.  In the poor monkey's case, he could easily blame the pumpkin & the hunters for being trapped, but unfortunately - that does not solve his dilemma.  The only way he can escape from being imprisoned - is to become aware that the banana is the problem --  and let it go.

Sit back and think of a situation in your life you are in turmoil about.  Use self awareness to recognize what the true source of the problem is.  Once you identify your banana, work on letting it go.  It may not be easy, but it is the only way to break free from your prison.