Chop Wood, Carry Water

There is an old Zen proverb about reaching enlightenment and it goes something like this : A student asked his master how to achieve enlightenment. The master replied "Chop wood, carry water."

This refers to developing mindfulness in every moment, including when doing mundane tasks...especially when doing mundane tasks. These simple, second nature tasks afford us the opportunity to be totally mindful and in the moment as we experience them. We don't need to use our intellect much as we have done them many times. But how many times have we completed our simple tasks without ever really being fully there for the experience? We miss the reality of the present moment as we daydream our way through our tasks, our experiences, and our lives. We only have one reality and it is right here, right now. So don't miss it. Practice to be present.

Not many of us have to chop wood or carry water anymore. But we do have to drive to work. That is what the essence of Learning to Drive into the Now: PRND is all about. Putting awareness into our mundane tasks like driving to and from work, school, the store, or anywhere will change the way we live. If you seek to develop your practice while driving, every drive offers up endless possibilities for enlightenment! Chop wood, carry water!