Take a deep breath and let go

Today’s message is about the South Indian Monkey Trap, a fascinating story I first heard during a Vipassana retreat ten years ago.

It describes a technique used by villagers to catch monkeys that were stealing food. The villagers would hollow out a coconut, tether it to a stake, and cut a slit just wide enough for a monkey's open palm to enter, placing sweet rice inside the coconut as a lure.

Eventually, the monkey would find the coconut and reach through the slit to grab the rice. But once his fist was full and clenched, he could no longer pull it out through the narrow opening, and the monkey was trapped.

You might think, “Well all he has to do is let go and open his palm, and he’s free!”

But the monkey, with all his scarcity, desire, and attachment, thinks he needs that food to survive, so he won’t let go.

His attachment becomes his prison—as the villagers easily approach and capture him.

This metaphor is powerful. What are we clinging to that we think is so important, not realizing that this very grip is what holds us captive?

As you move into your weekend, consider what ‘rice’ you are holding onto. What are you grasping tightly that might actually be better to release?

Take a long, slow, deep breath in...

What would it feel like to let go, even just a little, with each exhale?

Am I holding onto an outcome too tightly?
Where in my life am I clenching my fist?
Could I loosen my grip?
Could I relax my shoulders?
Could I soften my jaw?
Could letting go perhaps set me free?

Exhale and release.

Today, I’m sharing one of my all-time favorite podcast episodes featuring Oprah and Paulo Coelho. It’s in two parts, and the entire episode is magical.

If you’re short on time, the part that always stays with me begins at 8:45.

Though honestly, you’re never really short on time, especially for something this good.

Reply to this email with your favorite quote! Give me something good 😉