bucket of water (burdens) A student and a Zen Master were at a
creek, filling a bucket with water. As they began to leave the
Zen Master offered to carry the water but the student insisted
that he would carry the bucket, stating, “It’s not that heavy!”
The student carried the bucket of water walking behind the Zen
Master. After awhile the student said, “This bucket of water is
getting heavy.” Shifting the bucket to his other hand. The Zen
Master replied, “It is the same weight now that it was when we
got the water from the creek.” The student agreed and continued
onward. It wasn’t long till the student said, “My arms grow
tiered and I must rest.” He placed the bucket on the ground. The
Zen Master then said, “The bucket of water is like your burdens.
It is the exact same weight all the time, but the longer you
carry it, the heavier it becomes. You must set your burdens down
periodically and rest awhile so you can become refreshed, the
same as this bucket of water, understand?” The student
acknowledged that he