Once there was a young monk who went to his teacher and said, teacher, I can’t stay in this temple anymore. I want to leave and find a peaceful monastery.
The teacher asked why wanting to know what was wrong. The young monk explained, everyone here is toxic to me. Some monks are too involved in politics. Others speak badly about me, you and others. Some just gossip all day. I can’t focus on my spiritual life here. Please let me go to a peaceful place.
The teacher listened and agreed to let him go, but asked for one last favor. He gave the young monk a spoonful of water and told him to carry it around the monastery without spilling a drop. If he succeeded, he could leave.
The young monk eagerly took the water and walked around the monastery, careful not to spill any. When he returned successfully, the teacher asked if he had heard any gossip or negativity while carrying the water. The young monk said no, he was too focused on the task.
The teacher explained that when you’re focused on your goals, negativity from others becomes just noise.
He advised the young monk to focus on his own path, not letting negativity distract him. The moral of the story is to focus on your goals and not let negativity from others sway you. Wherever you go, there will always be negative people. But if you focus on yourself, you can find peace and happiness.