I’ve known the three monkeys who say, “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” since I was a child.
One has its ears covered, another its mouth, and the third its eyes.
I was thinking about what it is and how it is reflected in real life.
I just came upon a story that provided me with a real-life illustration of this job.
On one occasion, a follower arrived at Sage’s residence agitated and began to speak to him:
“Master! I’d want to tell you about how one of your friends has been gossiping about you…”
Sage instantly interpreted him:
“Wait! Did you already run the three filters test on what you’re going to tell me?”
“What are the three filters?” Not knowing what he was talking about, the follower inquired.
“Yes,” Sage responded, “the first filter is TRUTH.”
Have you thoroughly investigated whether what you wish to tell me is true in every way?
“Well no… I overheard several of my neighbours say it.”
“However, you must have at least tested it with the second filter, KINDNESS.”
Is this thing you want to tell me at least kind?
“No, it is not, in fact… It is exactly the opposite.”
“Ah!” Sage returned. “All right, let’s move on to the last one, the third filter.” Is it NECESSARY for you to inform me of this?”
“In all honesty, no. It is not required.”
“So, If what you wish to tell me is neither true, kind, or necessary,” the sage concluded, “it would be best if we could consign it to bleaching.”
So, based on Sage’s three filters,
Before telling someone anything that could have an emotional impact, we must consider how true, kind, and important it is.
Sage’s three filters, in fact, reflect the monkey’s covering of the mouth in order to prevent evil from spreading.
The second monkey, covering its ears, represents a higher level of spiritual perfection.
Aside from avoiding spreading negative messages about others, by refusing to listen to them, we avoid poisoning our minds with unneeded rubbish and retain our potential for positive deeds.
The third unseeing monkey demonstrates that looking at the wrong things or in the wrong way is the final step in purifying our filters.
Apart from avoiding listening to or spreading negativity, focusing our attention on sight and the other senses on what is useful and beneficial for everyone, beginning with ourselves, will be a big step towards realising our dream.