In a tranquil monastery nestled in the heart of a lush forest, there lived two monks, Brother Kano and Brother Sora. They were close friends and shared a deep devotion to their spiritual path. Yet, they had contrasting views on how to envision and achieve their goals.
Brother Kano believed in setting specific, concrete goals to measure his progress on the spiritual journey. He kept a journal and diligently recorded his daily meditations, acts of kindness, and the number of hours he spent in prayer. His ultimate goal was to reach a state of inner peace and enlightenment, and he believed that a structured approach was the way to attain it.
Brother Sora, on the other hand, had a more open and flexible perspective. He believed that the spiritual path was a journey of self-discovery, and he felt that setting rigid goals might limit his exploration of the unknown. Instead, he focused on being fully present in each moment and allowing his spiritual growth to unfold naturally. He believed that the journey was more important than the destination.
One day, the monastery’s abbott announced a project to restore the aging temple. It was a significant undertaking, and the monks were encouraged to contribute in their own way. Brother Kano saw this as an opportunity to apply his structured approach to achieve a tangible goal. He decided to lead the restoration project, and he set specific milestones for its completion.
Brother Sora, however, felt that the project could be approached in a different way. He believed in setting the intention for a project rather than specific goals. Instead of creating a rigid plan, he saw the restoration as an opportunity to unite the monks in a shared purpose, working together in harmony to honor the temple’s history.
As the restoration project unfolded, the two monks’ different approaches became apparent. Brother Kano’s structured goals led to efficient progress, with clear milestones achieved along the way. Yet, the process felt somewhat mechanical, and there was less room for personal connection and contemplation.
Brother Sora’s approach, however, fostered a sense of unity and shared purpose among the monks. They worked together harmoniously, embracing the spiritual aspect of the restoration. Each stone they placed or each brushstroke they made became a form of meditation, deepening their connection with the temple and their own spirituality.
Upon completion of the restoration, the temple stood not only physically restored but also spiritually enriched. It radiated a profound sense of peace and reverence, thanks to the combined efforts of the monks.
In the end, Brother Kano and Brother Sora realized the value in each other’s approaches. Brother Kano learned that goals were essential for progress, but they should not overshadow the spiritual aspect of the journey. Brother Sora acknowledged the importance of intention and shared purpose but recognized that setting goals could provide structure and measure progress.
Together, they found a balance between setting goals and allowing the spiritual journey to unfold naturally. They understood that the path to enlightenment was unique for each person, and it was essential to respect and learn from different perspectives. In their unity, they found the wisdom to envision their spiritual goals with both structure and intention, committed to the shared pursuit of inner peace and enlightenment.
This story reminds me of my own team and how, in my career as a leadership coach, I have been fortunate to be able to passionately guide people through their bumps in the road.
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Happy Holidays,
Rita Termote
Executive – Leadership Coach
Pictures thanks to: Nishant Aneja – Xiaodong Zhang – Sadaham Yathra – Daniel Lienert on Pexels