* Which Wolf are you Feeding?

Emotional Intelligence, Inner Wisdom, Inspirations, middle ground, Mindfulness, New Perspectives

* Which Wolf are you Feeding?

February 24, 2014

In the highs and lows of life there is often inner struggle. I first heard the tale of the two wolves some years ago, and it has appeared again twice this past week. Time to take notice for myself and share with you! I love the simplicity of it and how it really opens up a new approach to dealing with our own attitudes and emotions.

There’s an old Native American tale about an elder who realized that he had two wolves fighting inside of him.

One was mean spirited and selfish, and the other was noble and compassionate.

A younger man once asks of him “Which wolf usually wins?”

He replied, “It depends on which one I feed.”

Can you relate to this story? Which attitudes of mind and emotions do you tend to feed?

When we recognize and accept that both wolves are inside us, we can become mindful of which one to nourish.

Val T Boyko

being mindful, deeper self, emotions, highs and lows of life, inner connection, inner peace, inner struggle, mindfulness, Native American tale, peace of mind, polarity, wolf story

21 responses to “* Which Wolf are you Feeding?”

In the Stillness of Willow Hill

February 24, 2014 at 7:25 pm

Until we become mindful, that darned wolf eats all of the scraps we so carelessly drop each day. When the wolf finally becomes so huge that he eyes us hungrily…………it’s time to realize that it isn’t the neighbor that’s feeding the wolf, it’s us. Love the simplicity of your story.

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1. Val Boyko
  
  February 24, 2014 at 7:32 pm
  
  Thanks SWH for adding to the story and insight. I love the insight that we feed the wolf scraps without knowing it! Mindfulness lets us control the feeding schedule and know it is indeed ours and not the neighbor’s fault. LOL 🙂
  
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mari

February 24, 2014 at 7:28 pm

Oh this is so true… I need to continue to remember that the one I feed is the one that becomes the strongest. m.

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1. Val Boyko
  
  February 24, 2014 at 7:33 pm
  
  Thanks Mari. I’m glad you enjoyed the post, It’s a good reminder for all of us! Val x
  
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♡eM

February 24, 2014 at 8:57 pm

Oh, yes, I’ve heard this one many times! It holds so much meaning in such a simple, short story. Thanks for sharing it with me today.

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nrhatch

February 24, 2014 at 10:10 pm

I have shared this before on SLTW, by my two wolves were more multi-faceted:

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life.

“A terrible fight is going on inside me between two wolves. One wolf is evil. He is dishonesty, anger, envy, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, false pride, superiority and egotism.

“The other wolf is good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility,
kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

“This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about his grandfather’s words for a minute, and then asked, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee replied, “The one you feed.”

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1. Val Boyko
  
  February 25, 2014 at 1:58 pm
  
  You are a true story teller Nancy! Thank you 🙂
  
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awesomemetilda

February 24, 2014 at 10:21 pm

Reblogged this on awesomemetilda and commented:
This is really inspiring.

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1. Val Boyko
  
  February 25, 2014 at 2:03 pm
  
  Thank you so much for reflagging this Metilda. I’m bald you enjoyed it. Val x
  
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irenedesign2011

February 25, 2014 at 1:43 am

I did also hear this one from Native Americans years ago. It is so true and it is up to ourselves, who we wish to feed.
Thanks for sharing.
Irene

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1. Val Boyko
  
  February 25, 2014 at 2:02 pm
  
  Thanks Irene. Someone brought in a new perspective today … about feeding some one else. We may think we are feeding the loving understanding wolf when in fact we may be feeding the resentful blaming one.
  I’ve experienced this too.
  
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  1. irenedesign2011
    
    February 25, 2014 at 2:15 pm
    
    Yes these are possible too
    
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suzjones

February 25, 2014 at 2:52 am

I blogged this myself quite some time ago with a graphic I created. It’s a wonderful legend and one that I really admire. Thanks for sharing it once more.
A good legend is always worth repeating.

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1. Val Boyko
  
  February 25, 2014 at 1:59 pm
  
  Thanks Sue! The good ones are worth repeating. Val x
  
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My Light Bag

February 28, 2014 at 9:23 am

Very interesting – I hear this story for the first time last week, at a coaching course! What a coincidence that it should come up in my life again!

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1. Val Boyko
  
  February 28, 2014 at 5:20 pm
  
  No coincidence … serenditity! Thank you for sharing.
  
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* 12 Principles for a Happier Life | Find Your Middle Ground

March 29, 2014 at 2:57 pm

[…] Choose the right voice in your mind. There are two voices in our minds. (Remember the two wolves story) The loud ego one elevates us at the expense of others and keeps us separate from others. It […]

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Celestial Elf

April 13, 2014 at 5:53 am

Greetings, I thought you might like my animation of The Legend Of Two Wolves

Blessings ~

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1. Val Boyko
  
  April 15, 2014 at 10:24 am
  
  Thank you Celestial Elf. Your animated story is great 🙂
  
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August 29, 2015 at 7:22 am

[…] I am grateful to work with clients who want to find their middle ground. A big part of this is becoming aware of what gets in the way and making friends with our emotions. This poem by Chade Meng Tan is taken from his book Search Inside Yourself. It is inspired by Rumi’s The Guest House and the work of Mingyur Rinpoche, as well as the Tale of the Two Wolves. […]

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Making Friends with our Emotions – Find Your Middle Ground

August 22, 2024 at 6:20 am

[…] I enjoy meeting others who want to find their middle ground. A big part of this journey is becoming aware of what gets in the way and making friends with our emotions. This poem by Chade Meng Tan is taken from his book Search Inside Yourself. It is inspired by Rumi’s The Guest House and the work of Mingyur Rinpoche, as well as the Tale of the Two Wolves. […]

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