The Monkey Trap

There is a kind of monkey trap used in Asia. A coconut is hallowed out and
attached by a rope to a tree or stake in the ground. At the bottom of the
coconut a small slit is made and some sweet food is placed inside. The hole
at the bottom is just big enough for the monkey to slide in his open hand, but
does not allow for the closed fist to pass out.
The monkey smells the sweets, reaches in with his hand to grasp the food and is then unable to withdraw it. The clenched fist won’t pass through the opening. When the hunters come, the monkey becomes frantic but cannot get away. There is no one keeping that monkey captive, except for the force of his own attachment. All that he has to do is open his hand. But so strong is the force of greed in the mind that it is a rare monkey who can let go.
It is the desires and clinging in our own minds which keep us trapped. All we need do is open our hands, let go of our selves, our attachments, and be free.