Boat, Oars and Life

Boat, Oars and Life

A monk was tasked with rowing a boat to transport passengers from one side of the lake to the other. This assignment served as a practical life skill and an opportunity for the monk to engage in meaningful conversations with the people he ferried.

During one of these trips, a curious working professional asked the monk, "How do you balance work and personal life?" After a moment of thought, the monk ceased rowing the boat and requested the working professional to take over using only one oar. The professional complied but soon discovered that the boat was hardly moving. Upon instruction to use the other oar and after repeating the attempt, the professional similarly found the boat at a standstill.

In response, the monk explained, "One oar represents work, and the other, your personal life. Life doesn't progress by dedicating all attention to work or personal matters alone; rather, balance is achieved when we effectively use both oars according to life's demands. Sometimes, taking a break from rowing is beneficial, allowing your arms to rest. Similarly, finding harmony and balance in life is important, just as in rowing a boat."

M.L. Narendra Kumar

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