The River Teaches: Witness and Release

A parable by Guruji Rishiputra Balayogi

A young disciple once sat by the banks of a sacred river with Guruji

The river was flowing gently… carrying leaves, twigs, and bits of village garbage.

The disciple frowned and said,

“Guruji, this river is polluted… so much junk is flowing in it. How can it ever be pure?”

Guruji smiled softly.

He picked up a stick and pointed to the flowing water, “Watch carefully… what is the river doing?”

The disciple replied, “It is carrying everything away.”

Guruji nodded, “Yes… it allows everything to come… and everything to go. It does not cling.”

Then Guruji took some stones and built a small dam at the edge.

Slowly, the same flowing garbage began to collect there…

The water became still… dark… and foul-smelling.

Guruji asked, “Now what has happened?”

The disciple said, “It is stagnant… the garbage is rotting.”

Guruji looked deeply into his eyes, “My child… your mind is this river.”

“Thoughts, emotions, experiences — all are like this floating junk of life.

If you simply witness, they flow away.”

“But the moment you hold… suppress… or cling — you build a dam.”

“And then… what was harmless passing garbage becomes poison within you.”

The disciple bowed in silence.

Guruji concluded gently,

“Yoga is not the stopping of the river…

Yoga is all about learning how not to build dams.”

"Yes Guruji" said the bright Sishya, "I have understood the message loud and clear!

Let GO and Let Guru Guide!"

Where do you feel you are building a “dam” in your life right now?