One hot summer day, a monk joined several volunteers to pull weeds in front of the Dharma Hall.

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"Pulling weeds? On a day this hot? It shouldn't take long. Easy peasy!"

the monk thought.

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But after crouching down, the monk froze.

The weeds and the grass looked almost identical.

Unable to tell the difference, the monk watched the experienced volunteers. They quickly spotted the weeds hidden among the grass and pulled them out with ease.

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Finally, the monk asked,

"How can you tell which ones are weeds?"

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An elderly volunteer smiled and replied,

"Don't rush. Look carefully. At first, everything looks the same. But if you observe patiently, you'll begin to notice the difference."

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The monk returned to the lawn and looked again.

After watching quietly for several minutes, a tiny weed finally stood out.

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"I found one!"

the monk exclaimed with delight.

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As the monk gently pulled it from the ground, a realization arose.

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'My mind is just like this. So many hidden thoughts quietly influence my life. If I can't recognize them, I can never transform them. Discovering them isn't a failure, it is the joyful beginning of practice.'

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Your Reflection

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When uncomfortable thoughts or emotions arise, do you criticize yourself or pretend they aren't there?

What if noticing them is actually a blessing rather than a burden?

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True Buddhist practice begins the moment you honestly recognize and accept your own thoughts and feelings. Once you recognize them, entrust them to your true nature. There, they are transformed into wisdom, compassion, and love.

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So the next time a difficult thought or emotion arises, don't ignore it.

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Simply notice it.

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That may be the beginning of your practice.

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- August 4, 2026​