Part 3/9:

The teacher began with the tale of a young monk and a manipulative elder. The elder, charming and cunning, twisted circumstances to their own benefit, leaving the monk drained and doubting his own intuition. Despite initially believing that enduring such manipulation was a test of patience, the monk ultimately learned that continuing in this relationship obstructed his spiritual growth.

The teacher illustrated this lesson further with a metaphor: “Do you see the rocks in the stream?” they asked. “The water flows around them effortlessly, without resistance. The manipulative controller is like these rocks, blocking your path. A wise person simply adjusts their course.” Through this lesson, the monk recognized that stepping away was not an act of revenge but a means to safeguard his journey.