In a Zen monastery, a disciple named Hiroshi struggled to grasp the essence of Zen. The master gave him a heavy stone to carry up a steep hill, symbolizing his burdens and attachments. After Hiroshi struggled up the hill and placed the stone down, the master explained that just as the stone weighed him down, so do worries and attachments burden our lives. The story teaches that enlightenment comes from letting go of these mental and emotional burdens, allowing us to move forward with greater ease and clarity.