Far away in the high mountains of Tibet lives a little young monk named Elby. Elby has some trouble waking up in the early morning. Every morning at 4 o’ clock he has to go to the temple to meditate. It’s like going to school when everyone is still sleeping.

He rubs his eyes doing his best to wake up. If only I had someone to play with in the morning. Than it would be easy to wake up! Elby tells himself. He pores a cold-water bucket over himself. (That is his shower)

Dressing himself is very easy, he only wraps himself in a large orange robe and he’s done. He rushes of to the temple. As he walks towards the temple he passes through the local market filled with wonderful and amazing things such as, chocolate beans, jellybeans, exotic fruits and also animals like elephants and tigers. But there is only one thing that catches the eyes of Elby. He stares at it for a while. It is a little monkey hanging on a tree inside of a cage.

If only I had a monkey! I could play with him in the morning! Elby shouts out loud. The monkey owner looks at him. For 10 rupee you can buy the monkey. Said the monkey owner. 

Elby looks disappointed. As a little monk he does not have any money. He lives on donations where people give him what he needs to have. Elby looks at the monkey owner. But I need him sir, please could you give me the monkey for free? Elby desperately asks

I am sorry little monk. But as much as you need the monkey I need the 10 rupees. Said the monkey owner. A giant “gong” (Bell) Rings coming from the Temple. This means that the meditation class is starting. A disappointed Elby quickly continues his journey towards the temple.

After walking up the enormous stairs he finally arrives and opens the giant temple door. More than 100 monks are already sitting in a perfect meditation position. This can only mean one thing. Elby is late. The old and wise teacher sitting in front of the monks named Guruji makes a hand gesture towards Elby. He wants Elby to approach him. Elby sits down in front of his teacher. Elby, I can see that you are later than expected and you look a little bit sad. What is your mind telling you? Said Guruji. Well… I need to have 10 rupees sir. Said Elby still thinking about his monkey. 10 rupees? Guruji asks surprised

10 rupees is a lot of money, so much that you would need a big bag to carry it with. Now I understand why you are late. Carrying around those heavy 10 rupees all the way up the temple for a little monk like you will take a long time. That is why you are late! Says Guruji. No you don’t understand, I don’t have the 10 rupees yet, I need to have them. Said Elby. 

You are late are you not? What where you thinking about on your way here? Said Guruji. The 10 rupees sir. Elby responded. Carrying the rupees in your mind is also really heavy that is why it took you longer to get here. So why did you brought the 10 rupees with you in your mind all the way up to the temple. asks Guruji. I want myself to buy a monkey said Elby. So you really desperately want a monkey said Guruji

Elby knots his head with a big smile on his face. When you meditate I want you to make a list with all of the things you already have in your life. If you do this, the 10 rupees will go out of your mind. Said Guruji

Will I then get the 10 rupees for real? Said Elby. First you would have to get them out of your mind because if you would have to carry two bags of rupees one in your mind and one on your back then you could never get up to the temple. Explains Guruji.

Elby agrees and sits down in a meditation position. And is starting a list inside of his head.

“What are the things that I already have? 
Orange robe, A bed at home, A roof for the rain, A light to read, Hands to grab things, Feet to walk on, Head to think with, Eyes to see with, Muscles to lift things...

On his way home he keeps on thinking about his list. Walking through the market with all the fruits, He smells strawberry. On any other day he would get hungry and wanted to eat them. But now he only thinks of everything he already haves.

I found another one! Said Elby with a big smile
I have my nose to smell these wonderful strawberries with! And they do smell amazing! A big hand suddenly grabs Elby his shoulder. Elby turns around. It is the monkey owner looking surprised. Young monk, when you just left this morning. Your face was sad, now you have a big smile from ear to ear. Ho did you become so happy so quickly? Asks the monkey owner

This morning I got sad when you gave me 10 rupees inside my mind. I had to carry them all the way up to the temple. So I was late. Then my teacher Guruji showed me how to stop carrying it around with me. LB explains to the monkey owner. That’s amazing can you teach me this technique? Said the monkey owner. Elby Explains the monkey owner about focusing on everything you already have in your life. The next day when Elby is on his way to the Temple he walks by the monkey owner. He is still sitting next to the monkey with a sad expression on his face.

Did you not make a list of all the things you have? Said Elby. I did make the list and found wonderful things. I have so much to be happy about. I smiled the whole evening. Explained the monkey owner. Then why are you sad? Asks Elby with a wondering face. 

I have a shop, animals, food, money, more that the average man. I could not understand why a little monk like you could be happy! You have nothing more that that orange robe around you. Thinking of this made me sad. Please accept this monkey I want to give to you. Elby accepted this generous gift and thanked the monkey owner. With the monkey on his shoulder he walked through the market. It was quit a sight to see. The word spread quickly through the village of a young monk with a little monkey on his shoulder.

When Elby arrived at the temple not a single monk was there. This time he did arrive on time. Even Guruji was nowhere to be found. Elby started his meditation at his usual spot when 4 hours later a large amount of footsteps could be heard walking up the stairs towards the temple.

Guruji opened the door. All of the other 100 monks walked behind him. Elby you are here. We where looking through the entire village for you! Hearing of a young monk with a monkey on his head. That’s something we had to see! So we went out looking for you and your monkey. Said Guruji. Elby has a big smile on his face. Where is that monkey now? Guruji asks.

I really wanted to have that monkey sir. But I realized I wanted something else more. To make the monkey happy. By making him happy I realized I have something else “ A heart filled with compassion. So I released him back into the forest. ???? Elby explains. That is to bad we really wanted to see that monkey. Said Guruji

To see the monkey you must first make a list of all the things you already have in your life. Carrying 10 rupees in my mind was heavy. But for everyone to carry a monkey in your mind took you over a half day to get here. Elby responded with a big smile. Guruji smiles.

The mind of everybody in this room is filled with monkey’s... Now I know why you are laughing. Said Guruji.

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