This Relic is known as my Worry Wood.
I have had it for almost 30 years.
There is an old story about a man that was trying to find inner peace at an ancient monastery.
It wasn't going well.
Meditation would leave his mind to think about how much he missed his beautiful wife who had died years before. He would worry about his sons gone off to war. he would worry about the weather and what people thought of him and his failure to even understand the concept of enlightenment.
One morning he was late to his morning meditations. He was worried about the bowl he had broken while cleaning up the dishes from breakfast. He robes were wet and he looked a mess. And worse of all when he got to his favorite meditation spot, by the fountain in the garden, someone was there already, and he preferred to try to meditate alone, worried he would disturb his brothers.
This was a stranger named Buddha.
Buddha smiled, welcomed him, and thanked him for sharing this beautiful place.
The man knew of Buddha. He was mortified at his appearance and mental state. He begged Buddha to forgive him and not eject him from the monastery.
Buddha smiled wider at the man, and even chuckled saying, "I have come to share a secret." he looked about in all directions conspiratorially. He reached into his robe and brought out a small piece of wood. It was worn smooth as if sanded but in it's own shape.
"This is my Worry Wood." Buddha whispered. "When I hold it I can pour my worries into it. As I work it smoother and smoother with my touch it soaks up my worries and I am free."
After a pause, "...and now I give it to you."
It worked just as Buddha had instructed. When plagued by worries he would hold the piece of wood and smooth it with his fingers. Focusing on the magic piece of wood his worries evaporated.
Years later he met Buddha once again showing him the well worn worry wood. "For the past 20 years I have poured all my worries into this wood until my mind is at peace."
Buddha tossed it casually into the fire.
The man was enlightened,
