Shadowing Practice: How To Let Go - a buddhist story - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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Hi, this is Dare to Do Motivation and this is a story about letting go.
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Hi, this is Dare to Do Motivation and this is a story about letting go.
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Once upon a time, two Buddhist monks were on a journey.
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One of them was a senior monk and the other was a junior monk.
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And during their journey they approached a raging river.
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And on the riverbank stood a young lady.
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She was clearly concerned about how she would get to the other side of the river without drowning.
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The junior monk walked straight past her without giving it a thought,
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and he crossed the river.
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The senior monk, however, picked up the woman and carried her across the river.
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He placed her down, they parted ways,
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and on they went with their journey.
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As the journey went on,
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the senior monk could see some concern on the junior monk's mind.
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He asked what was wrong.
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And the junior monk replied,
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How could you carry her like that?
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You know we can't touch women.
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It's against our way of life.
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And the senior monk answered,
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I left the woman at the river's edge a long way back.
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Why are you still carrying her?
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The senior monk had broken rules, but for good reason.
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Once the purpose was fulfilled,
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he put her down and continued on.
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He never gave it a further thought.
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The junior monk, however, he didn't touch the woman,
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but he had brought up the actions of the senior monk when it was an action of the past.
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Therefore, the junior monk was carrying the burden of what the senior monk had done as an emotional baggage.
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You see, in life, we have little use for past experiences except of learning,
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whether it is good or bad.
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And just like in this Buddhist monk story,
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we need to let go of any burden the past has placed on us.
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It's happened, it's over, it cannot be changed.
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We can only move forward and create a more compelling future for ourselves.
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If you hang on to something which happened in the past,
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which gives you suffering, every time you relive it,
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you think about it, you will get the same suffering over and over again,
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which will create a cycle of suffering for yourself.
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So stop worrying and let the past go,
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and that way you can concentrate fully on the future.
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This is Dare to Do Motivation, Stories.

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Context & Background

The story presented in the video "How To Let Go - a buddhist story" revolves around two Buddhist monks on a journey, where the contrast between their actions highlights the theme of letting go of past burdens. The senior monk and the junior monk encounter a situation that challenges their beliefs, ultimately leading to a profound lesson on emotional release and moving forward in life. This engaging narrative not only connects spiritual teachings with everyday dilemmas but also provides an excellent resource for English language learners looking to enhance their speaking abilities through practical storytelling.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • "How could you carry her like that?" – A common expression of concern or inquiry.
  • "It's against our way of life." – Refers to personal or cultural beliefs that guide behavior.
  • "I left the woman at the river's edge a long way back." – An idiomatic way of saying that one has moved on from something.
  • "We need to let go of any burden the past has placed on us." – Encouraging the practice of emotional release and moving forward.
  • "Create a more compelling future." – A motivational phrase urging focus on future possibilities rather than past regrets.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively use this story for shadow speech and improve your English speaking skills, follow these steps:

  1. Listen carefully: Begin by watching the video while paying close attention to the dialogue and the emotional undertones. Take note of how the senior monk's words differ from the junior monk’s reactions.
  2. Practice shadowing: Try to repeat the phrases aloud as you hear them. Focus on the intonation and rhythm of the speech. This is your chance for some IELTS speaking practice that mimics natural conversation.
  3. Slow it down: If you find certain phrases difficult to shadow, adjust the playback speed to help you catch every word and practice your pronunciation.
  4. Record yourself: After shadowing the dialogue a few times, record your own voice to compare how closely it matches the original. This will enhance your english speaking practice.
  5. Reflect on the message: Finally, engage with the content on a deeper level. Think about how the lessons of the story about letting go can apply to your own life. This reflection will provide context and meaning to the language you are learning.

By using the story of the two monks, you open yourself to powerful lessons while refining your ability to shadow speak effectively. Engage in shadowspeak repetition to not only grasp the vocabulary but also to improve your fluency in everyday communication.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

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