Religion 21 Feb 2007 06:41 pm
Chop wood, carry water
There is an old Zen saying, "Before Enlightenment chop wood carry
water,
after Enlightenment, chop wood carry water." I’m reminded of that as I use a shovel to hack at the piled snow next to the mailbox, so we can get our mail delivered, and take out the garbage, and put up some shelves in the pantry, and … and …
There is a lot to do, when setting up as a householder. And it is so easy to get bogged down in the details, and forget what’s really important. I’m also reminded of that story in Luke, of Mary and Martha. Martha is all busy with the tasks have having such an important guest in the house, and Mary is just sitting at Jesus’ feet, taking in what he is teaching. It’s so easy to get caught up in the important tasks, and forget that it’s all about - about being in communion with God.
What’s the balance? Sometimes, those tasks are avenues to awakening - being aware of how we feel as we do them - patient, annoyed, tired, in pain. Sometimes we get so caught up in the tasks, and the importance of them, that we forget to be like Mary. It’s a challenge finding that balance.
And, as Ruth said this evening - there is always the reminder that although we live in a pretty remote place, and feel kind of snowed in, that we live in amazing luxury and convenience compared to most people in the world.