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Writer's pictureStacy Clelland

Mastering Your Inner Stories: A Lesson from the Monk and the Empty Boat

One day, a monk decides to escape the busy life of his monastery and finds solace in the middle of a tranquil lake.


Rowing his small boat to the center, he anchors, closes his eyes, and begins to meditate.


The world around him is silent, the water calm, and his mind begins to settle into a state of deep peace.


He feels at one with the universe, free from the burdens of thought or disturbance.


After hours of blissful meditation, the calm is shattered by a sudden jolt.


His boat has been bumped, and without opening his eyes, the monk’s peace gives way to irritation.


In an instant, anger begins to rise within him, his mind racing:

Who dared to interrupt his meditation?

Who was careless enough to disturb his stillness?


Finally, with frustration building, he opens his eyes, ready to confront the thoughtless individual.


But to his surprise, the boat beside him is empty.


It had simply drifted on its own, carried by the lake's gentle currents.


There was no one there.


In that moment, the monk had an epiphany: his anger wasn’t caused by someone else—it was entirely his own creation. His mind had jumped to conclusions, and his emotions followed, yet the reality was far more neutral. The "disturbance" had no external cause; it was his mind’s reaction that created the frustration.


This story holds a powerful lesson for us all. How often do we react to life in this way? Like the monk, we create narratives in our heads about what’s happening around us. We assume that someone is trying to hurt us, that we're being judged, or that life is more challenging than it truly is. These stories, these automatic thoughts, shape our emotions and reactions. But, much like the empty boat, many of our triggers have nothing to do with reality—they’re simply the result of our mental projections.


The truth is, our thoughts have immense power over how we feel. They can make us angry, anxious, or sad, even when the situation doesn’t call for it. But the beauty of this realization is that, just as our thoughts create emotions, we also have the power to change them.


By learning to observe your thoughts without becoming entangled in them, you gain the freedom to reshape your emotional landscape. Imagine watching your thoughts float by like clouds, acknowledge them, but don’t let them dictate your inner state. The more aware you become of your mind’s patterns, the more control you’ll have over how you respond to life’s ups and downs.


If you often find yourself stuck in emotional cycles—reacting to imagined scenarios, feeling weighed down by mental stories—know that you’re not alone. It’s part of the human experience. But it’s also possible to step out of these patterns and embrace a more peaceful, present existence.


If this resonates with you, I invite you to explore how you can master your thoughts and emotions. Take that first step by reaching out for a free 1:1 session. Together, we can uncover the unhelpful stories you may be telling yourself and replace them with empowering, liberating perspectives.


Let’s work on letting go of what no longer serves you and finding the clarity and joy that await in the present moment.


Wishing you peace, presence, and insight.

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