Chop Wood Carry Water: How to Fall in Love with the Process of Becoming Great

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Chop wood, carry water reminds us to take responsibility for ourselves. If we don’t chop the wood and carry the water there will be no fire, no warmth, nothing to eat or drink. If we gather only enough for ourselves, only enough for today, we’re going to have a problem if we need a day off or need to help a friend. We must learn to plan ahead, to use our resources wisely and share with others when we can. We must ask for help when we need it and trust our village to support us. This is why I do a lot of reading, especially of spiritual books. Meditation is another essential for moving toward enlightenment. And again, meditation, reading, and devoting yourself to your inner peace are all things you have to do every day. (More on this below.) 2. Find joy in menial tasks I am standing here, brushing my teeth. I still have teeth to brush. I have toothpaste and a toothbrush. And my practice is to be alive, to be free to enjoy tooth-brushing.” Thich Nhat Hanh The Life Lesson: Don’t hold on too tightly. Enjoy every moment and it will last. Final Thoughts on Chop Wood Carry Water There are signs, but sings are not signs, therefore they are signs. It is the essence of Diamond sutra. Enlightened being continues to do the same activities in after Enlightenment - but the perception of reality is drastically different. Since Zen is all about Yogacara, elaboration of that is conveyed in Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma sutras that are essential parts of this school.

And again, these tasks can feel menial sometimes, especially when we are busy, overwhelmed, stressed out, or burnt out. But there’s another saying: Hot Start: Hot start programming is a quad set of 4 exercises that gets the body moving right away. The first 3 exercises are strength based while the 4th focuses on conditioning/cardio. At first, even small tasks look impossible. But over time, things begin to seem possible with patience and practice.

Jesus took the time to wash the feet of his disciples. Many would have considered this to be beneath him, but he knew better. He knew that, even as someone who had achieved enlightenment, it was his duty and his pleasure to serve others, to do the tasks that seem below his “pay grade” and to do them with great love. It does little good to attain clarity of mind on your meditation cushion if you lose it as soon as you become active.” 6 When he told his boss that he was done, the boss handed him the keys to this exact same house he was so frustrated with. This was a gratitude gift for his perfect work throughout the years. Dave over at Accidental FIRE created the following graphic that perfectly encapsulates the experience most people have once they achieve financial independence:

We often pursue enlightenment thinking that it will get us out of our meaningless, humdrum lives. That somehow we’re destined for greater things.A Zen kōan is “a story, dialogue, question, or statement which is used in Zen practice to provoke the ‘great doubt’ and to practice or test a student’s progress in Zen.” 5 This simple idea – that “getting somewhere” or “achieving some milestone” won’t bring lasting fulfillment – is something I’ve seen shared by many people. Here are a few examples: Jim Carrey As yous see there are three phases of conception (turnings). The only difference is that this original saying you posted, omits the intermediary part where one " doesn't chop the wood, and carry water".