In Zen Buddhism, there is a wise saying:
Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water.
After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water.
My soul recently reminded me of this quote to bring to my attention that I had been focusing a little too much on the results of my spiritual practices. Or rather, what my lower self ego perceived as the lack of results! Oops. Time to adjust my inner pendulum back into balance and re-align with my soul’s vision for my focus and intention.
This saying, like many spiritual truths, has many layers of understanding for students and masters alike. But one of the key pieces for me is the reminder that our spiritual evolution is entirely an inner process. Yes, there are times when we make an inner shift and experience a corresponding change in our outer world. As within, so without is spiritual law. But the further along the path of our spiritual mastery we travel, the fewer and fewer obvious outer world changes we are likely to see. We simply don’t need the validation of seeing a change and, in our mastery, all of our experiences feel equally divine.
When we fully realize the wisdom of “chop wood, carry water”, we understand that every moment is our spiritual path and also our deepest spiritual expression. A moment savoring a simple piece of lettuce just picked from the ground is as joyful as listening to the most beautiful, world-renowned symphony playing a complex composition. Scrubbing the floor can be just as inspirational as sitting in meditation in a beautiful garden. It all comes back to how we’re resonating and the frequency with which we’re vibrating.
Since this quote about enlightenment is coming into your life today, take it to your soul and ask what its particular meaning is for you and your life. What is your unique expression of chopping wood and carrying water with enlightenment? I’m sure it will be absolutely divine.
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