One day the Master took his disciple to a river and had him fill two pails full with water. He told the disciple to now hold both pails with outstretched arms and asked …
“How do we overcome pain?”
The disciple said … “Master, I know not the answer you seek.”
The Master then instructed the disciple to come to the river one hour each morning and hold the pails with water and arms outstretched until he had the answer.
At the first dawn after the New Moon the Master approached his disciple. In tremor, sweating and in much discomfort holding onto the pails as instructed, by the river. The Master lifted one eyebrow, silently asking if his student had the requested answer.
The disciple shaking his head said. “I am sorry my Master the answer escapes me. I had thought I would have grown stronger these many days and would be able to lift the water without effort or pains. Please guide me.”
The Master nods and said. “If I must.”
He then takes the students pails full of water and holds them with outstretched arms as he instructed before. The disciple looks intently at his Master trying very hard to study his Masters stance, the way he holds the pails. Trying to find the trick that would let somebody endure the pain.
The Master then asks … “Do you see the trick my pupil? How to overcome pain?”
The disciple, still confused shakes his head no. The Master smiles and with a glint in his eye says … “We let go of it.”
He then walks away as the pails, now on the ground, drain the water they held.