Welcoming Spring

Chop wood, carry water

There is a Zen proverb I always loved: “Before enlightenment: chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment: Chop wood, carry water”.  For me, it’s served as a reminder of what most of us easily forget as we get caught up in the race to get to a destination, and that is to be fully embodied in the moment by moment experience.   Embracing the present moment, fully immersed in our current reality, allows us to embrace our humanity. Through this immersion, we open ourselves to a broader perspective, humbly acknowledging our place in the vastness of the Universe, and recognizing the truth of our own insignificance. 

In springtime, I find myself drawn to the minutiae, embracing the opportunity to address the often-overlooked details and take those small, incremental strides I tend to neglect. It's a gentle reminder to shift my gaze away from grand aspirations and toward the significance of daily, mundane tasks. The essence lies in mastering the art of mindfulness and appreciation in the seemingly ordinary routines—akin to "chopping wood, carrying water" with unwavering attention, heightened emotion, perpetual awareness, and genuine gratitude. Can I uphold this same sense of purpose and unwavering focus even in the simplicity of tasks like washing dishes or tidying up?

I've come to realize that the true challenge of my 23-plus years of meditation lies not just in the formal practice sessions but in the moments between. And while I’ve always understood, at the level of the intellect, that meditation's essence lies in its integration into our everyday lives, its application continues to allude me. Surprisingly, seemingly mundane tasks like cleaning the lint filter in the dryer serve as perfect opportunities for meditation practice.

A NEW PERSPECTIVE

Recently, I engaged in a meditation retreat at 40 Years of Zen, where alongside extensive meditation sessions, I delved into an immersive brain training regimen merging modern and ancient techniques. From cutting-edge brain mapping and binaural beats to traditional yogic breathing exercises and hours of meditative practice, the program aimed to facilitate brain rewiring. The goal was to forge new neural pathways conducive to profound relaxation, akin to the tranquility achieved in deep meditation states. 

We committed ourselves to rigorous practice during the retreat. Despite its invaluable assistance in unraveling lifelong programming and dispelling false beliefs while guiding my brain into deeper states of alpha, theta, and even gamma waves, I came to a profound realization. Despite believing I had solidified meditation as a habit at this embodied level, it remained elusive. I had intended to prioritize it, yet success continually slipped through my grasp.

Inspired by the essence of spring and its promise of new beginnings, I resolved to adopt its sunny disposition in my approach. Recognizing the detrimental pattern of rushing through tasks I deemed “undesirable”, I acknowledged the false belief that led me to rush through chores to reach what I perceived as more worthwhile pursuits. Determined to break free from this cycle, I devised a strategy: to identify moments of self-imposed urgency and deliberately counteract them by slowing down, embracing presence, and savoring each experience. It was an important decision: either I fully commit to this change or abandon my experiment altogether.

SLOWING DOWN

So, I embarked on a journey of deliberately slowing down. Folding laundry or washing dishes ceased to be mere prerequisites for activities I truly desired. Surprisingly, as I embraced a slower pace, time seemed to stretch and slow, easing the grip of self-imposed anxiety. Moreover, the hasty mishaps that often accompanied rushed tasks simply vanished. Yet, when my body slipped back into old habits, disregarding my newfound rhythm, I invoked another strategy to reinforce this transformation: whenever the impulse to rush emerged, I reminded myself to pause and infuse the chore with a dance. Yes, quite literally, dancing through folding laundry became my remedy for haste, and dancing through preparing dinner was quite fun!

This springtime, I invite you to take note of what activities you find yourself wanting to rush through and see if you can s-l-o-w down, take respite and allow things to come into being.  When we take our attention off a goal (such as getting the closets emptied and organized) we move into a state of receptivity. If needed, take a deep breath or a walk, and bring your attention to the body.  When we become fully grounded in the moment by moment experience, one step at a time, you may find that your ability to perceive things in a different way shifts. 

As we embrace the arrival of spring, I encourage you to reflect on the tasks that typically prompt a rush, and consider s-l-o-w-i-n-g your pace. Embrace moments of rest and let things unfold naturally. By diverting our focus from specific goals, like decluttering closets, we open ourselves to receptivity When possible, pause to take a deep breath or a leisurely walk, and reconnect with the sensations in your body. As we anchor ourselves in the present moment, moving steadily step by step, you might discover a shift in perspective, allowing you to perceive things in a new light.  And eventually, we may even begin to see chores as sacred rituals.  As for dancing your way through chores? Totally optional!