The Art of Washing Dishes: Zen Practices

We can find peace and joy — our Zen, in any activity, anywhere

Photo by MART PRODUCTION

Spirituality is often perceived as an escape from the difficult realities of everyday life to some peculiar “higher things” that justify inaction or poor activity. And this indeed often happens, especially in the early stages when the person is confused, asking so many questions and searching for answers, which is simply overwhelming.

But ultimately spirituality is all about being present and flowing with whatever there is, seeing beauty in the simplest activities.

After all, in the doctrine of Buddhism, the Bodhisattva is the one who has achieved but rejected the transcendental state of paradise and returned to ordinary life or maybe just realized that our so-called ordinary everyday life is exactly the same. No wonder they have a saying:

“Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.
After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.”

Thus, spirituality is not about reaching some wild state of “higher self” and disappearing from the world, but about freeing ourselves from the constant drama of thoughts and emotions and living peacefully in the present.

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated” as Confucius once wonderfully put…