Letting Go!

[Joan]

Dear Shaolin Wahnam Family and Virtual Kwoon readers,

During my weekend teaching in Dubliln, one of my students related the following story on 'Letting Go'. Some of you may already have heard this one, but for those of you who have not, it may be thought provoking.

The monkey jar is used in Africa and elsewhere for catching monkeys. A banana (or berries) is placed at the bottom of the jar and the monkey goes after it by inserting his arm into the jar's long neck. Once he clutches the food or treat in his fist he is unable to extricate his hand, but rather than let the food or treat go, he will wrestle with the jar, fruitlessly, until he is captured.

The point being, had he just opened his hand and 'let go' he would set himself free!

Have a great day!

Smile from the Heart
Joan

[Anthony S]

Thank you for this profound lesson Joan. One might think how stupid the monkey is yet I'm sure many of us can find an analogy in our own lives. Just let go of it! Alas, humans can also be so stubborn about some things.

[Andrea]

Dear Joan Siguma,

What a great story and metaphor. Thank you.

Andrea

[Andrea]

I just realized how this story and the message Irene shared on "Yu Wei" and "Wu Wei" nicely go together. (See here http://wongkiewkit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8602 )

“You wei” is the art of diligent preparation of the ground while having the objective in mind. Once you have done everything as best as you can possibly do and, once you have paid attention to all details and have prepared the ground in the most steady manner you can let yourself flow into the “wu wei” and everything will be done for you. Moreover, if you don’t let go and continue to “work” then you may not achieve your objective at all. It is like a continuous process, like breathing.

I think those who have learnt from Sigung or another qualified master are very clear about how to apply this to our Chi Kung practice.

Can you apply it to other situations in daily life?
It might be interesting to share practical experiences.

Examples of applicable situations could be:
- Preparing an exam or an important meeting.
- Running a marketing campaign to get new customers.
- Leading a project with strict deadlines.
- Creating a piece of art.
- Reaching a career goal.
I am sure you will find many more situations in your daily life.

In my personal experience and through my work as a coach, I find that the challenge is often to know, when to let go.
Thus it might be interesting to start with sharing your practical experience on:

How do you know you have "done enough", "have done as best as you can"?
What helps your monkey to let go of the banana?

Andrea

[Neil Kelson]

Thanks Joan - great reminder which we all need from time to time :-)

[Irina]

Dear Shaolin Wahnam Family and Virtual Kwoon readers,

The point being, had he just opened his hand and 'let go' he would set himself free!

Joan

Beautiful story Joan, thank you for sharing :-)
Actually, I feel that in these uncertain times the ability to let go, especially of material things has become tremendously important.

I realise it in many aspects of my life and also of the lives of people who surround me.

As our global monetary system undergoes radical restructuring we all need to learn to let go of the bunch of bananas that is in our hand, but that we cannot take out anyway, without being caught.

Wonderful story and a strong picture.

[Luo Lang]

I have found the story very nice

Good to have such Monkey examples to try to let go a little more and more with every practice

[Johan]

I´m reading this in a very special moment for me,

I´m so afraid to let go, not in my practice, but in my life.
Have I done enough?
Is this the rigth moment?

Actually i don´t feal i have diligented prepare the ground with the objective in mind... but there are so many signs...

Any way, thank you all for sharing this.

Enjoy

Johan

[Mark CH]

Dear Joan Sije

Sorry only saw this now. Brillant example thank you.