The Wisdom of Stepping Back for a Moment

Today, the monk unfolded the teaching from the saying that one should avoid a passing shower for a while. When a heavy shower comes, neither people nor animals deliberately stand against it. They look for shelter and move their bodies out of the rain for a moment. This is less a learned behavior than a principle nature has already shown us.

It is the same at a mountain hermitage in the cold. Rather than standing in the icy mountain wind, it is natural to enter a warm room and let the body rest. Yet we often pass by this natural wisdom. There are many times when we see it but do not learn from it, and live without noticing.

The same thing happens in life. When another person is very angry, if we become equally angry and collide with them at that moment, the situation grows larger. Like pouring oil on a great fire, suffering and problems can become greater. At such times, we need the wisdom to step back for a moment, as we would avoid a passing shower.

Stepping aside for a while does not mean running away or giving up. It means recognizing that the situation will worsen if we clash right now, and giving it time to settle. When we step back in this way, we can later speak and respond with a clearer mind.

Nature is already showing us answers for living. When the wind is strong, we shelter the body; when rain showers come, we wait under the eaves. Today, look at the situation of your mind in the same way. The mind that notices, takes care, and knows how to step back for a moment is the beginning of a peaceful response.