The Ant and the Feather

I took a video of an ant carrying a feather outside the B Street Zendo Thursday morning.

At times we may feel like the "heavily burdened” ant, but the ant will eventually put the feather down. 

My teacher, Genpo Roshi, shared some advice he received  from Hal Stone, a well known Jungian psychologist.  Only pick up what’s yours to pick up, don’t carry what is not yours to carry. When we embrace this advice, using our discriminating wisdom, we just respond appropriately in the moment, given our position, the time, place and amount.   

Why would this ant be carrying a feather?  And where is it going?  Apparently birds have what’s called “anting" behavior where they will pick up an ant and put it in its feathers to help as a natural insecticide to other insects. Ants use feathers for nesting. The feather may have microbes and other material the ant can use. This is the natural functioning of two species’ interconnection and interdependence.

Buddhism teaches that all life is interconnected and interdependent, that nothing exists in isolation,  In my opinion, when we realize, acknowledge and appreciate this interconnectedness and interdependence, greater care and compassion arises for all beings.