A Tale of Two Monks
A senior monk and a junior monk were traveling together and reached a town where there had been heavy rains. The monks noticed a young woman stuck on one side of a deep puddle, looking impatient as she scolded her attendants for being unable to help her cross the puddle. The junior monk said nothing as he walked by the woman. The senior monk quickly picked her up and carried her across the puddle, then placed her down on the other side. She didn't thank him as she pushed him aside and went on her way.
The junior monk couldn’t believe what had just happened. After rejoining his companion, he was speechless for several hours, brooding. Finally, the junior monk could contain himself no longer, and spoke out. "That woman at the puddle was so impatient and rude, yet you picked her up and helped her. Then she didn't even thank you!"
The senior monk looked at him and replied, “Brother, I set her down hours ago. Why are you still carrying her?”
Mindfulness is defined in many different ways. The definition that I follow is that mindfulness is paying attention to what we're doing, with intention. This means that, when I'm mindful, I am not lost in my past or lost in possible futures. When I'm mindful, I am not distracted by the endless parade of thoughts that passes through my mind. It may be tempting to carry our past pain and regrets, but like the senior monk, I aspire to not get lost in them.
If you or your patients would like to discuss mindfulness further, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Best wishes,
Brandon Gimbel, M.D.
Cari Betts, PMHNP-BC
Laura Carlson, M.D.
Rebecca Cho, M.D.
Lauren Howard, LCPC, CADC
Brandon Gimbel, M.D.
Owner, North Star Behavioral Health and North Star Kids
We'd like to introduce our two new psychiatrists: Adult psychiatrist Dr. Chadwick Yip Child & Adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Dongho (Damian) Gwak Both Drs. Yip and Gwak have immediate Northbrook, Chicago, and virtual availability to treat new patients - adults for Dr. Yip and children and adolescents for Dr. Gwak. For more information about our new colleagues, please visit our website: https://www.northstarbh.com/team Our team of clinicians can provide comprehensive care from childhood through...
During the Buddha’s travels, he once arrived at a small town where his presence was anticipated by many. While the Buddha spoke to the crowd, one person began shouting at him. The Buddha did not pay attention to the shouting and instead continued speaking, which infuriated the person. This man eventually approached the Buddha and yelled, “You have no right to teach others. You’re a fake!” The crowd began to turn on the man, reacting to his anger. The Buddha intervened, addressing the crowd:...