TWO MONKS AND THE SCORPION
Two monks were washing their bowls in the river when they noticed a scorpion fall into the river and appeared to be drowning. The first monk immediately scooped up the scorpion and set it upon the bank, but in the process he was stung. He quickly went back to washing his bowl and again the scorpion fell into the river. The first monk again scooped up the scorpion to save it and again the monk was stung. The second monk after watching the interaction asked the first monk, "Friend, why do you continue to save the scorpion when you know it is its nature to sting?" "Because," the first monk replied, "to save it is my nature."
This story is intriguing especially for those of us that live in the southwest and have experienced the pain and discomfort associated with a scorpion sting. The venom of the scorpion is actually a neurotoxin that typically causes excruciating neurogenic pain for the unfortunate victim of the sting. With this in mind this Zen story is particularly thought provoking with regard to the world we live in and more importantly about the way we live our lives.
So what does the scorpion in the story truly represent? Although there are many interpretations, for me the scorpion represents the people that we encounter in our lives that are difficult, negative or angry. When we have these types of interactions we may believe that this is their nature and just like the scorpion they are only capable of responding in this manner. Indeed, this statement is true of scorpions. They are simple creatures that can only respond to danger by running away or stinging. The scorpion does not possess any higher level of thinking therefore, it cannot tell if a situation is threatening or not. As you can see, even when the scorpion was scooped out of the water by the kind monk the scorpion instinctively stings him out of fear in an attempt to defend itself.
However, as humans we are not thoughtless creatures only able to respond to a perceived threat by fleeing or attacking. From time to time all of us adopt a very negative, angry attitude and respond to others as the scorpion in the story did, regardless of the motivation behind those with which we interact. However, unfortunately some people are perpetual scorpions only dealing with perceived conflict by either, running away or "stinging" those around them. People who are living as scorpions have lost the ability to deal with perceived conflict in a kind, compassionate manner. Due to their psychosocial conditioning or life experiences, they have been hardened into individuals who habitually view the world from a negative viewpoint. However, unlike the scorpion we as humans have the ability to change our attitudes and our approach to life. When we are stung by a perceived scorpion, we can choose to "sting back" or to BREAK THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE and treat them how we each deserve to be treated, with love and compassion. .
The monk represents TRUE human nature. At the core we are all kind, compassionate human beings but due to the strivings of our egos and the negativity that we are exposed to during our lives to some degree we have all forgotten our true nature. When the scorpion falls into the water the monk knowing that he is taking a chance of being stung compassionately saves the scorpion from drowning. Predictably the scorpion perceives his rescue attempt as an attack and stings him. However, when the scorpion falls into the water again the monk once again acts out of compassion and love and attempts to save the scorpion. If instead the monk had allowed his ego or the negative experience of being previously stung impact his nature he would not have acted compassionately a second time. This concept rings true with regard to the human experience. Most of us when we interact with someone for the first time, who is negative or confrontational, give them the benefit of the doubt and treat them with love and compassion, but when subsequent interactions are met with anger and negativity how do we then approach that individual?
This question is at the heart of the teaching point of this Zen story. Can we overcome our psychosocial conditioning and the strivings of our egos to feel superior and approach each and every human interaction with love and compassion regardless of the attitude of others? Honorable warriors strive to do exactly that. Even when we habitually interact with negative or confrontational individuals we continue to approach them with love and compassion rather than acting like the scorpion. Remember our true nature and strive to act from a place of kindness and compassion. In addition, when you do find yourself reacting from a place of fear and expressing the scorpion within, recognize this as well and consciously change your attitude and your behavior will follow. In human to human interactions a sting from either party can leave both feeling hurt where as kindness and compassion will hopefully leave both parties feeling safe and supported.
