Which will you feed?

Cherokee Wisdom – The Story of The Two Wolves

"An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

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I first heard the two wolves parable years ago while attending a yoga conference. It instantaneously alchemized my understanding of – internal emotional landscape.

Observing self-aware panoramic views is accessible; most days. Cultivating peace within that space, is the practice.

Starving the bad wolf, feeding the good one, and noticing when the bad one sneaks back...again, and again.

When practicing regularly, the bad one shows up less frequently...and when she does, she's not famished; only mildly hungry.

Philip Goldberg, an interfaith minister says – "spiritual practice won't drive away pesky aspects of life, it's more like an immune booster, or sturdy garment that keeps us dry and warm in a blizzard"

Contemplation:
How can you ensure you make time to regularly knit a sturdy garment?