“The mind is like a river. The water flows endlessly from one form to another.”
— Thich Nhat Hanh
Simplified Meaning:
Our thoughts and feelings are constantly changing, just like water flowing in a river. They never stay the same for long but keep moving and transforming. This can be compared to how a river's water moves quickly around rocks, flows gently in calm areas, and sometimes even changes its course. Similarly, our minds can be filled with different emotions and ideas at different times. For example, imagine you're working on a challenging project. At first, you might feel stressed and unsure. After a while, you may start to understand it better and feel more confident. Later, new obstacles might come up, causing a mix of frustration and determination. This constant change shows how our mindset can shift quickly and often. Understanding this can help you cope with life's ups and downs by reminding you that any difficult situation or feeling is temporary and will eventually change, just like the flowing water in a river. This can bring comfort during hard times and encourage you to look forward to the better moments ahead.