This was posted on the Eating Disorder site:

There is a kind of live monkey trap used in Africa and Asia. A coconut is hollowed out and attached by a rope to a tree or a stake in the ground. A small hole is made in the coconut and some sweet food is placed inside.
The small hole in the coconut is just big enough for the monkey to slide in his open extended hand, but does not allow for a closed fist to pull back 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 the force of its own attachment. All it has to do is to open the hand. It has to be willing to let go.
It is a rare monkey that can let go.
The desires and clinging in our mind keep us trapped. All we need to do is open our hands. Open our hands and surrender the obsession. We need to be willing to let go. Let go, let God, and be truly free.