I grew up hearing this story, but only now — through my own healing journey — do I truly understand its depth.
Long ago, a snake lived near a village. It was so furious and venomous that no one dared to walk near its home. One day, a monk had to cross that very path. The villagers pleaded with him not to, but he moved ahead, fearless and compassionate.
The snake rushed out, ready to strike. But the monk’s calm eyes and chanting heart softened it. With compassion, he told the snake, “Anger is not your truth. You can rise above it.” He gave the snake a mantra to help it evolve.
From that day, the snake became peaceful. Villagers noticed it no longer attacked. Some offered it milk, but others, still angry from past memories, began to throw stones at it. The snake stayed silent, refusing to bite. People mistook its silence for weakness and tortured it further. Eventually, the snake grew weak, injured, and close to death.
When the monk returned and saw its condition, the snake explained what had happened. The monk replied:
“I asked you not to bite, but I never asked you to stop hissing.”
The Lesson
This story reflects the journey of inner healing.
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At first, when we are unaware, we lash out — spitting venom through anger, blame, and reactivity.
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With guidance and practice, we learn restraint. We stop reacting and choose peace. But this silence is often misunderstood as weakness. Others may cross our limits, even harm us.
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Here lies the real teaching: true healing is not passive endurance. It is the courage to set boundaries.
Boundaries as a Stage of Healing
For me, boundaries are not about aggression — they are quiet acts of courage. In the beginning, I often felt fear when I tried to set them. Strangely, it felt easier to appear strong when I was reactive and angry. But as I walked deeper into my healing and faced my inner wounds, I realized this fear was part of the journey. With time, as I reconnected with my core, my higher self, and my sense of worth, the fear started fading. What emerged instead was a steady, authentic strength — a power that comes from being rooted in who I truly am.
When we are rooted in our core:
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Our voice no longer trembles.
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We can look people in the eye.
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We speak with calm clarity, not to prove or to fight, but simply to express what is true.
To me, this feels like a sign of purification of the Vishuddha (throat) chakra — the ability to express authentically, protect ourselves with dignity, and stay compassionate without being victimized.
Walking the Path of Empowerment
Now I understand, Healing is not just about letting go of anger. It is also about finding the strength to say: “This is not okay.” It is about hissing — not to harm, but to protect.
Empowerment comes when we can stand in our truth, aligned and authentic, with presence so steady that no external force shakes us. That is when healing ripens into wisdom.
Your Turn
As you reflect on this story, I invite you to pause and ask yourself:
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Where in your life are you staying silent when you actually need to “hiss”?
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What boundary is asking to be honored, not from anger, but from authenticity?
As I stay consistent on my own inner healing, I experience this shift within me. Today, I follow the wisdom of hissing — a story I once heard as a child now makes deep sense to me. For me, the journey from biting to hissing has been empowering, and I share this blog with the hope that it empowers you too.
Remember, you don’t need to bite — but never forget to hiss when your soul asks for it.
I’d love to hear your reflections. Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments — your story may inspire someone else on their healing journey.
Here with, wishing you to Stay Empowered
